From Melbourne: Puffing Billy Train & Penguin Wildlife Tour

Puffing Billy’s open-sided carriages make the ride through the Dandenong Ranges a hands-on part of the day: you can sit with your legs over the carriage edge, feel the breeze, and see the forest pass close by. Then, after a stop at The Nobbies, you’ll watch little penguins come ashore at dusk on Phillip Island. It is a full day with two very different Australian scenes.

I like the contrast between the nostalgic steam train ride and the wild, windswept coast, and I like that a guide takes care of the long transfers between them. Guides such as Gina, Alan, Matt, and José have been praised for keeping the day moving and sharing useful tips, though your guide will depend on the departure.

The main drawback is the length: at about 12 hours, much of the day is spent on the road, and you return to Melbourne late. The Penguin Parade is also an outdoor evening event, so bring warm layers; penguin sightings and viewing distance can vary, and photography is not allowed.

At a glance

• Puffing Billy runs through the Dandenong Ranges: Expect about an hour aboard the historic steam train, on the Belgrave to Lakeside route or in reverse.
• The open-sided carriages are part of the fun: Sitting with your legs over the edge is a memorable way to travel, but it is less comfortable than a standard carriage seat.
• The Nobbies adds a coastal pause: Walk the clifftop boardwalks for Bass Strait views and a look at the blowhole.
• The Penguin Parade is the evening’s main event: Watch little penguins cross the beach toward their burrows after sunset.
• Standard entry is included: The ticket covers general Penguin Parade viewing. A Penguin Plus upgrade may offer closer viewing, but it is not part of the stated inclusions.
• Allow a full day: The tour lasts around 12 hours, with long coach transfers and a late return to central Melbourne.

Two classic Victoria outings in one day

This tour combines two of Victoria’s best-known outings: a ride on Puffing Billy and an evening at the Phillip Island Penguin Parade. They are not close together, so putting them into one guided day saves you from planning separate transport and working out how to reach the island after dark.

The trade-off is time in the vehicle. The listed journey includes a one-hour transfer from Melbourne, a 1.5-hour coach leg after Puffing Billy, another 20-minute drive to The Nobbies, a 20-minute transfer to the penguin site, and a two-hour return journey. Those are scheduled segments, not a promise that traffic or train delays cannot affect the day.

At $145 per person, the price includes a guide, the Puffing Billy ride, general Penguin Parade entry, and national park fees. That is useful value if you want both signature experiences and prefer not to arrange transport yourself. Food and drinks are extra, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Starting in central Melbourne

Choose from three pickup points: Regent Theatre, Her Majesty’s Theatre, or Mercure Melbourne Southbank. Your guide meets you outside the location you selected, beside a vehicle marked with the Explore Australia Tours logo. The vehicle may be purple, and you should arrive at least 10 minutes before departure.

The tour is listed as having a live English-speaking guide, with a small-group option available. Recent guides have included Gina, Alan, Matt, José, and Stuart, among others. Their styles differ, but the practical value of a good guide is clear on a day with several timed stops: they can explain where to meet, how long you have, and where to stand for the best chance of seeing wildlife.

The first transfer takes about an hour. Use it to settle in and listen for local context, but keep some energy in reserve. The day stretches into the evening, and the penguin viewing happens after a lot of travel.

Puffing Billy through the Dandenong Ranges

Puffing Billy is a historic steam railway that travels between Belgrave and Lakeside, or in the reverse direction. The train ride lasts about an hour and takes you through the Dandenong Ranges, where the forested setting makes a pleasant change from Melbourne’s streets and suburbs.

The open carriage is part of the appeal. You may sit with your legs hanging over the side, feel the air, and wave to people along the route. It is a playful, old-fashioned way to ride a train, but it is not the most comfortable option for everyone. One useful tip: bits from the steam engine can fly back, so sunglasses are sensible, especially in a carriage farther behind the engine. Expect possible soot or coal dust on clothes, too.

A reserved carriage is used for the group, which helps keep everyone together. The route or duration can sometimes change because of railway operations, events, or weather risks. One departure, for example, ran for about 30 minutes instead of an hour and provided a partial refund. If the train is a must-do for you, check current operating details close to your date and understand that plans may need to change.

After the ride, you have a 45-minute break at the railway. That gives you time to stretch your legs and visit the museum, gift shop, or lake area before boarding the coach again. It is a useful pause, though not a long stop for a leisurely meal.

A coastal breather at The Nobbies

After a 1.5-hour coach journey, the tour stops at The Nobbies View Point for about 20 minutes. Boardwalks follow the clifftop, with open views across Bass Strait and a chance to see the blowhole. This is a short stop, so think of it as a scenic leg-stretch and photo opportunity rather than a long coastal walk.

The sea can be striking, but the exposed setting also brings wind and changing weather. Bring a layer you can wear outside, even if Melbourne felt mild earlier. The stop is brief by design: the tour has to reach the Penguin Parade in time for the evening viewing.

The drive to the penguin site takes about 20 minutes. Keep an eye out along the way. Swamp wallabies, Eastern barred bandicoots, Cape Barren geese, and short-tailed shearwaters are among the native animals named for this area. Wildlife is not guaranteed, but guides may point out animals when they are visible. Some have slowed at suitable spots to give the group a better look.

Waiting for little penguins on Phillip Island

The Penguin Parade is the day’s emotional centrepiece. At dusk, little penguins return from the sea and hurry over the sand toward their burrows. You may see them gather, greet one another, or continue toward nesting areas. The parade takes place year-round, but the exact number you see and how close they come are not predictable.

General viewing entry is included in the $145 price. You watch from the public viewing area, then can use the boardwalks to follow the penguins as they head inland. Some people have found the parade hard to see from a distance, particularly in the dark, while others have seen groups close by on the boardwalk. It is a natural event, not a staged show, so patience and realistic expectations help.

Some departures may offer a Penguin Plus upgrade. People who chose it have valued the closer viewing area, where penguins may pass nearby. The upgrade is not included in the standard price, and its cost is not specified here, so check the options for your date before booking if close viewing matters to you.

Protecting the animals matters more than getting a photo. Photography is not allowed during the penguin viewing, and the rule is enforced. Put your phone away, watch with your eyes, and listen for your guide’s directions about where to sit or stand. That keeps the viewing respectful and lets you focus on the birds rather than a screen.

The site visit lasts about 1.5 hours. You will be outside after sunset, often in colder conditions than you expect, so bring a warm jacket and extra layers. The weather can be windy or wet, even when earlier stops were pleasant. Food and drinks are not included, so plan to buy something during an available stop or bring what you need, while following any site rules.

What the long day feels like

This is a packed day, not a relaxed countryside outing. You move from pickup to train, break, coach, coastal viewpoint, penguin viewing, and a long ride back to Melbourne. The schedule works well if you have limited time and want to combine major sights, but it leaves little room to linger at any one stop.

A guide can make the transfers feel less like dead time. Tour leaders have been praised for clear timing reminders, local facts, humor, and practical suggestions, such as where to sit on the train or where to stand for penguin viewing. Some have also played Australian music on the bus or watched for animals along the road. The specific commentary and wildlife opportunities will vary with the guide and conditions.

The return transfer is about two hours, and the day may finish around 9 or 10 p.m., depending on the schedule and conditions. Do not plan a tight dinner booking or an early activity the next morning. If you are prone to motion sickness, tired by long drives, or travelling with someone who needs frequent breaks, consider whether this much time on a coach suits you.

What to bring and what to know

Dress for a range of conditions. The steam train is open-sided, The Nobbies is exposed, and the Penguin Parade happens outdoors after dark. A warm jacket, extra layers, and sunglasses for the train are practical choices. Rain is possible, and reviews describe both wet days and very windy evenings.

Food and drinks are not included. There are opportunities to buy refreshments at stops, but the tour is tightly timed, so do not count on a long restaurant break. The 45-minute pause after the train gives you time to stretch and look around; later stops are shorter.

Baby strollers are not allowed, and unaccompanied minors are not permitted. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also not included: you need to reach one of the three central meeting points yourself. The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and reserve-now, pay-later booking is available. Check the departure time for your date, as start times vary.

Is this tour worth booking?

Book it if you want Puffing Billy and the Penguin Parade in one day, value having transport and a guide arranged, and can handle a long schedule. The strongest reasons to go are the contrast between the historic train and Phillip Island’s wildlife, plus the chance to watch penguins return to shore in their natural setting.

Think twice if you prefer slow travel, want a guaranteed close view of every penguin, or dislike late returns and long coach rides. If you do book, arrive early, dress warmer than you think you need, protect your eyes on the train, and check whether a Penguin Plus upgrade is available. Those small choices can make a full day more comfortable and the final wildlife stop easier to enjoy.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about 12 hours. It includes coach transfers, a one-hour Puffing Billy ride, a stop at The Nobbies, and about 1.5 hours at the Penguin Parade.

Where does the tour leave from?

You can select Regent Theatre, Her Majesty’s Theatre, or Mercure Melbourne Southbank as your pickup point. Meet your guide outside the chosen location at least 10 minutes before departure.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are not provided at hotels. You need to make your own way to one of the listed central meeting points.

What is included in the $145 price?

The price includes a guide, the Puffing Billy ride, general viewing entry to the Penguin Parade, and national park fees. Food and drinks are not included.

Is the Penguin Plus viewing area included?

No. The included Penguin Parade ticket is for general viewing. Penguin Plus may be available as an upgrade, but it is not part of the stated inclusions.

Can I take photos of the penguins?

No. Photography is not allowed during the penguin viewing.

What should I wear?

Bring warm layers for the outdoor evening viewing, as it can feel cold and windy after sunset. Sunglasses are also useful on Puffing Billy because material from the steam engine may fly back.

Does the tour always include a one-hour Puffing Billy ride?

The planned ride is about an hour, from Belgrave to Lakeside or in reverse. Train operations, events, or weather risks can affect the route or duration.

Can I bring a stroller or travel as an unaccompanied minor?

Baby strollers are not allowed, and unaccompanied minors are not permitted on the activity.