Puffing Billy – Australia’s favourite steam train

Climb aboard and step back in time at Australia’s premier preserved steam railway: Puffing Billy! Located in the Dandenong Ranges, just 40 kilometres or one hour east of Melbourne, the excitement begins from the moment you arrive at the station with the sight of the historic locomotives, the smell of the steam and the sound of the train’s whistle.

The excursion trains depart multiple times daily (excluding Christmas Day) from the historic Belgrave Station and Lakeside Station.

Key features

Kids’ club
No

Educational programs
Yes

Cloakroom
No

Restaurants
Yes

BBQ areas
No

Help desk
Yes

Family ticket packages
Yes

Guided tours
No

Wheelchair accessible
Yes

Daily shows
No

Kids area
No

Parenting rooms
Yes

Play

Day Out with Thomas™ Special Events

Puffing Billy offers the ever-popular Day Out with Thomas™ events in Autumn and Spring.

If the island of Sodor is too far for a family outing, Thomas fans are invited to the picturesque Gembrook Station to enjoy:

• A 35-minute train ride with Thomas, Percy, and Diesel
• The Imagination Station – play and create with Thomas and Friends
• Photo opportunities with Thomas and Friends
• And plenty of other fun activities for all the family!

Getting there

Start at Belgrave

Belgrave to Lakeside Station (Emerald Lake Park): 60-minute one-way journey time.
Address: Old Monbulk Road, Belgrave VIC 3160

Belgrave Station is the headquarters of the Railway and only a short walk from the Belgrave Township.

After boarding, Puffing Billy chugs away and you and your family can take in the spectacular scenery of the beautiful Sherbrooke Forest, a superb temperate rainforest with native ‘Mountain Ash’ trees. Within minutes, you will cross Puffing Billy’s most famous landmark – the iconic Monbulk Creek trestle bridge.

Start at Lakeside (Emerald Lake Park)

Travel time: Lakeside (Emerald) to Gembrook: 40-minute one-way journey time.
Address: Emerald Lake Road, Emerald VIC 3782

Escape the crowds and enjoy a family outing aboard Puffing Billy from Lakeside (Emerald Lake Park) to Gembrook.

Emerald Lake Park is the perfect spot to enjoy for families before or after their journey, offering barbecue facilities and picnic tables, playground facilities, a wading pool and paddle boats for hire.

Once your journey is underway, Puffing Billy skirts the unspoilt Wright State Forest and as the train climbs towards Gembrook, there are spectacular views of rolling farmlands and distant mountain ranges.