Melbourne's Puffing Billy Railway, located in Australia, has a history spanning over a century and is the best-preserved narrow-gauge railway in the area. If you're wondering where to find fun, photo-worthy spots in the Melbourne suburbs that are suitable for families, couples, friends, and people of all ages, then Puffing Billy Railway is definitely the place to be!
Today, I'll be introducing Puffing Billy Railway's transportation, ticket prices, schedules, attractions, and riding experiences. This guide will be helpful for visitors planning half-day or full-day trips.
1. How to Get to Puffing Billy Railway?
Getting to Puffing Billy Railway is quite simple. Besides driving a rental car, you can take the Blue Line train from any station in central Melbourne to Belgrave. Upon arrival, follow the signs and walk for about 3 minutes to reach the steam train boarding point.
Additionally, it takes about 70 minutes to travel by train from Melbourne to Belgrave. A one-way ticket costs 4.6 AUD. For information on train schedules, ticket prices, routes, and travel cards, refer to the "Melbourne Transportation Guide."
(Once you exit Belgrave Station, there are signs for Puffing Billy Railway everywhere. Simply follow the signs, and you'll quickly reach the ticket office.)
2. Ticket Prices & Timetable
Next, let's discuss the ticket prices and schedule for Puffing Billy Railway! Here's the railway's route map:
There are four main stations: Belgrave, Menzies Creek, Lakeside, and Gembrook. Ticket prices are divided into four categories, depending on the stations you travel between. The details are as follows:
Although the schedule varies slightly depending on Australian national holidays, there are typically 3 to 4 trains running daily. The schedules for each station are as follows:
As for the best destination, many people recommend purchasing tickets to "Lakeside". If you take the train all the way to Gembrook, the round trip takes about 4 hours. It might be a bit rushed, and the scenery in the latter half of the trip is similar to the earlier sections. By stopping at Lakeside, you'll have more time to relax. However, if you wish to go all the way to the final station, it's recommended to take the earliest train to have enough time for the trip.
※ If you'd like to avoid queuing for tickets or want to find cheaper prices, consider purchasing tickets through some booking websites like Klook's "Puffing Billy Railway Tickets" or KKday's "Puffing Billy Railway Tickets," which often offer lower prices than the official website.
If you'd rather not worry about transportation, you can also consider tours like "Puffing Billy Steam Train & Yarra Valley Day Tour," "Puffing Billy Railway & Penguin Island Day Tour," "Steam Train Day Tour," or "Puffing Billy Railway + Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary," which may not be more expensive but can save you some time.
(Puffing Billy Railway offers regular tickets and a retro commemorative ticket. Note that Puffing Billy Railway is a tourist steam train, not a regular public transportation service, so Melbourne's myki card cannot be used.)
3. How to Enjoy the Puffing Billy Railway?
Finally, let's talk about how to enjoy the Puffing Billy Railway! In fact, the experience is quite simple: ride the steam train and enjoy the scenery along the way, stopping at each station to explore!
(If you have some free time while waiting for the train to depart, there's a small town near the starting station, Belgrave, with a variety of restaurants, clothing stores, and souvenir shops. It's quite charming, and I recommend taking a stroll if you have extra time.)
(At Belgrave station, there are also street performers to entertain you. The train arrives early, so there's plenty of time for passengers to take photos.)
(Time to set off! Here's a little tip: it's best to sit in the rear half of the train so you can get a complete view of the train as it goes around bends. As for whether to sit on the left or right side, most people buy round-trip tickets and there's no assigned seating, so it's not a big deal.)
(At the first stop, Menzies Creek, the Puffing Billy steam train pauses for about 5 to 10 minutes, allowing passengers to disembark and take photos. Although you can explore here, there's not much to see in the surrounding area, so I don't recommend spending too much time here.)
(Next, you'll pass through many meadows, forests, and beautiful scenery. You can also see historical sites, relics from when the train transported goods, and the Puffing Billy Railway's highest-altitude station, Emerald.)
(A unique feature of the Puffing Billy Railway is that passengers can stick their hands and feet out of the train, a century-old tradition and a must-try activity!)
(At last, we reach the highlight: Lakeside station. This is where most passengers disembark. Besides the beautiful lake views, visitors can picnic, barbecue, and even rent Aqua Bikes to pedal around the lake. It's a perfect spot for families and children.)
(Finally, board the steam train again to return to the starting point. There's a large bend near the starting station that I think is the most photogenic spot, featuring the classic Puffing Billy Railway image that appears on postcards and in travel books!)
That's an introduction to Melbourne's Puffing Billy Railway. Many tourists visiting Melbourne recommend this attraction, and after experiencing it myself, I feel that it not only offers insight into local history and culture but also provides a relaxing experience. I encourage everyone to visit when in Melbourne!