Our 15 Favourite Steam Train Days from Melbourne

1.Puffing Billy Railway: Heritage Steam Train Journey

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,195 reviews · 2 - 4 hours · from $29Our pick

Ride a heritage steam train on Puffing Billy Railway’s original mountain track through the Dandenong Ranges, about an hour east of Melbourne. Choose a journey beginning at Belgrave or Lakeside, meet the railway’s volunteer staff, and, on the Belgrave to Lakeside section, try the traditional legs-out window seat. The journey lasts 2 to 4 hours.

“Beautiful train and beautiful scenery. Staff is highly skilled and very knowledgeable about the train and will tell you all about it if you want to know. Definitely worth it, highly recommend!”

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2.Puffing Billy Steam Train & Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 640 reviews · 8 hours · from $140

Leave Melbourne by coach for a one-hour Puffing Billy ride from Belgrave to Lakeside, with open-sided carriages and a chance to dangle your legs outside. After a break at the Lakeside Visitor Centre, spend about two hours at Healesville Sanctuary seeing Australian wildlife. An English-speaking guide leads the day, with audio guides in 12 other languages.

“It was amazing! Such an unforgettable experience to expose legs and hands outside the train. Good to know the history about steamed train in Larkside Centre. Finally, Thanks Darren for his great drive and photos haha.”

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3.Puffing Billy Train & Penguin Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 605 reviews · 12 hours · from $145

This 12-hour guided trip pairs a one-hour Puffing Billy ride from Belgrave to Lakeside, or the reverse, with The Nobbies and Phillip Island’s Penguin Parade. Your English-speaking guide handles the long transfers and shares local wildlife tips. General parade entry is included; Penguin Plus viewing may be available as an upgrade.

“Excellent long but very enjoyable day out. Puffing Billy train ride was superb. Tour Company has their own reserved carriage. Phillip Island was excellent but very very windy. Take plenty of warm clothing as it gets very cold. Unfortunately no photos allowed of the Penguins!! Our guide Jose was excellent throughout”

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4.Half-Day Puffing Billy Steam Train Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 263 reviews · 6 hours - 1 day · from $126

Travel by air-conditioned coach from central Melbourne to Belgrave, then ride Puffing Billy for an hour through ferny gullies and across Monbulk Creek Trestle Bridge. You’ll have time at Emerald Lake Park before returning to the city around 1:15 pm. Guides such as Robbo, Lisa, Jess, and Jono have brought the route to life with local stories and practical help.

“It was an amazing experience, especially thanks to our driver Rhye, who brought great energy, passionate knowledge about the city, and excellent recommendations.”

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5.Puffing Billy Railway & Rainforest Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 239 reviews · 6 hours · from $107

Leave Melbourne by coach for Grants Picnic Ground, then ride Puffing Billy for about an hour through the Dandenong Ranges. You can sit with your legs outside the open carriage, spot native birds, and visit Lakeside’s railway displays. English-speaking guides have included Gina, Mark and Margaret, though your guide may differ.

“Great day. Our guide was very informative and enthusiastic. The stop at the picnic grounds with the short bushwalk was a good extra. Being able to sit on the windows towards the outside of the train was a great experience.”

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6.1 day Puffing Billy Steam Train and Wildlife Tour from Melbourne

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 211 reviews · from $157

Travel from central Melbourne by air-conditioned bus to Grants Picnic Ground, ride Puffing Billy for an hour, then visit Healesville Sanctuary. The day also includes free time at Lakeside and a scenic Yarra Valley drive. Train and sanctuary entry are included; lunch is extra. Guides vary, with past guides including Andy, Margaret and Mark.

“Amazing tour!! We loved it!!! The train was so funny and interesting. The view was incredible. The visit of the sanctuary was also great!”

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7.Puffing Billy Railway & Penguin Parade Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 195 reviews · 12 hours · from $145

Take a 12-hour coach trip from Melbourne to Puffing Billy Railway, The Nobbies and Phillip Island’s Penguin Parade. Your English-speaking guide handles transport and timing, while you explore the stops at your own pace. A visit to Maru Koala & Animal Park may be offered for an extra AUD $33, but it is not guaranteed.

“The tour was called for 10am, but my immediate notification from the tour operator Vast told me, due to the time of year (and the penguins) pick up would be at noon. Fabulous communication right off the bat! Daniel, our guide, showed up promptly and gave us a run down of the schedule of the day. He also gave us some interesting history. We arrived at the Puffing Billy train in plenty of time to absorb the ambiance. So much fun on the train. The scenery was amazing, and dangling your legs out of the train made me feel like a kid! Daniel awaited us at the end of the…”

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8.Puffing Billy Steam Train Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 169 reviews · from $128Top rated

Set out from Melbourne with a guide and hotel pickup for a one-way ride on Puffing Billy, the early-1900s steam railway. Sit in an open-sided carriage, watch forest and fern gullies pass, then spend time at the Lakeside Visitor Centre and Emerald Lake Park. The tour lasts about six hours, including travel, and has a maximum group size of 24.

“Our group of 11 people chose the combined tour, i.e. Puffing Billy in the morning and Penguins in the afternoon and it was a great decision! The whole day went as planned, with the kindness of the company that facilitated us a pick up at 7.10 am at the Hotel, which allowed us to take breakfast, before departure. The morning guide was attentive and provided the necessary explanations accompanying us to the train and returning with us to Melbourne. We can confirm that this is a very fun experience, in the middle of a green landscape and beautiful mountain houses. In the afternoon our guide Jules, enthusiastic and dynamic, led…”

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9.Puffing Billy Train and Penguin Island Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 40 reviews · 14 hours · from $113

Travel from Melbourne by air-conditioned coach for a one-way ride on Puffing Billy, a stop at Maru Koala and Animal Park, a visit to the Nobbies and the dusk Penguin Parade. Train and standard parade tickets are included; Maru entry costs extra. Guides speak Chinese and English. Guides on recent departures have included Evan Wu and Lei.

“Our tour guide, Evan Wu, was responsible and had a great sense of humor. The whole trip was well-organized and very enjoyable. We watched the amazing penguin parade and rode the exciting and scenic Puffing Billy Railway.”

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10.Penguin Parade Tour with Puffing Billy Train Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 34 reviews · 12 hours · from $133

This 12-hour coach tour pairs a one-way ride on the Puffing Billy steam train with coastal stops at the Nobbies and the Penguin Parade. Brighton Beach may be included, while Maru Koala and Animal Park is an optional, extra-cost stop. Guides speak English and Chinese; tour days have included guides named John and Tony.

“The animal Park visit could have been a lot shorter or ommitted. More time could have been spent at the penguin area for a better experience. rushing dinner was stressful.”

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11.The Q Train – First Class Private Dining For 2

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · from $142

Board the heritage Q Train at Drysdale for an approximately three-hour dinner in a private car for two. Five courses feature local produce, with a drink pairing for each, followed by tea or barista-made coffee. The train travels the Bellarine Railway, with a meal stop beside Swan Bay. Transport to the station is not included.

“The service on the train was superb. We are not wine drinkers but had amazing mock tails made up for each course. Each course was extremely tasty and just the right amount. It was for my husband’s 80th birthday and the Happy BirthdaRead more”

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12.Puffing Billy Steam Train and Penguins Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · from $164

Spend about 12 hours travelling from Melbourne to the Dandenong Ranges and Phillip Island, with a one-hour Puffing Billy ride, time at the Lakeside Visitor Centre and The Nobbies, and general admission to the sunset Penguin Parade. A licensed guide leads a group of up to 27. Guides have included Darren, Gina, Stewart, Cat and Leelee.

“Wonderful day on the railway and watching the penguins coming in from the sea and waddling to their burrows”

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13.The Q Train – Q Class Social Dining

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 21 reviews · from $103

Spend about three hours aboard The Q Train, a moving restaurant on the historic Bellarine Railway. Departing usually from Drysdale, you’ll have five courses made with local produce as the train travels toward Queenscliff and back, with views of Swan Bay and the Bellarine. Drinks cost extra, and you’ll need to arrange your own transport to the station.

“I went for my anniversary dinner and the experience was amazing , we opted for vegetarian food and the food was delicious. The overall experience was awesome and i would like to book the private cabin for next time 🥂”

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14.Puffing Billy Train & Penguin Parade Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 18 reviews · 8 - 12 hours · from $130

Travel from central Melbourne by air-conditioned coach for a full day of forest, coast, and wildlife. Ride Puffing Billy through the Dandenong Ranges, stop at Brighton Beach or Maru Koala and Animal Park, visit The Nobbies, then watch little penguins return to shore. Your driver-guide speaks English and Chinese. The day can run 8 to 12 hours.

“Everything was amazing. Is an entire day trip so be prepared, but it worth every minute. Puffing billy train, the views, the penguins. I’d do it again”

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15.Puffing Billy Train & Penguin Island Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 17 reviews · 12 hours · from $130

Ride the Puffing Billy steam train through the Dandenong Ranges, then head to Phillip Island for coastal views at the Nobbies and the Penguin Parade. A bilingual English and Chinese guide leads the 12-hour trip. The optional Maru Koala and Animal Park visit costs extra, and the beach-hut stop can depend on train timings.

“Manjša skupina, prijazen in ustrežljiv vodič. V enen dnevu smo obiskali in videli veliko stvari.”

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