Melbourne: Puffing Billy Railway & Rainforest Tour

Puffing Billy’s open-sided carriages turn a scenic train ride into something wonderfully hands-on: you can sit with your legs dangling over the side as the steam train passes through the Dandenong Ranges. It’s a playful, old-fashioned way to get out of Melbourne, with a one-hour ride at its heart.

I like that the trip pairs the railway with a stop at Grants Picnic Ground, where you can take a short bush walk and look for cockatoos and rosellas. I also like having a guide and coach transport included, which makes this a simple half-day outing rather than a day of planning connections.

The main compromise is time. Grants gets about 20 minutes, and the ride and Lakeside stop share a six-hour trip, so this is a sampler, not a long rainforest walk or a slow railway visit. Bring a snack if you’ll want more than a café stop before returning to Melbourne.

The highlights at a glance

• Legs-out train travel: Ride Puffing Billy for about an hour in its open carriages, with forest views and wooden bridges along the way.
• A short bush walk: Spend around 20 minutes at Grants Picnic Ground, with a chance to spot native birds.
• Railway history at Lakeside: Use your free time to visit the Lakeside Visitor Centre and see steam artefacts and interactive displays.
• A guide from start to finish: An English-speaking guide accompanies the coach trip. Guides have included Gina, Mark, Margaret and Michael, but the person leading your tour can vary.
• Coach transport included: Travel from a Melbourne pickup point to the Dandenong Ranges and back without arranging your own transport.
• A half-day escape: The outing lasts about six hours, leaving much of the day for other plans if your schedule allows.

From Melbourne streets to Dandenong Ranges trees

The tour begins at one of three pickup points: Mercure Melbourne Southbank, Regent Theatre or Her Majesty’s Theatre. Your guide meets you outside the selected location, and the vehicle is marked with the Explore Australia Tours logo. Arrive at least 10 minutes early so check-in does not become a last-minute dash.

The coach ride takes about an hour each way. That travel time is worth factoring into your expectations: the Dandenong Ranges are not just around the corner, and the drive is a substantial part of this half-day outing. In return, you can leave the navigation and transport arrangements to the operator.

Guides help set the tone, giving local commentary and keeping the group on track. Names that have led the trip include Gina, Mark, Margaret, Michael, Matt and others, so don’t book expecting a particular person. The practical job matters as much as the stories: guides help guests get to the right place and into the right carriage.

The vehicle is described as modern, though comfort can vary by bus and passenger. One thing to keep in mind is that the tour prohibits drinks in the vehicle. Bring a water bottle to use at stops, as recommended, and make sure you have a chance to drink before boarding.

A brief woodland pause at Grants Picnic Ground

Grants Picnic Ground gives you a short first taste of the Dandenong Ranges. You have about 20 minutes to stroll on the nearby trails and watch for native birdlife, including cockatoos and rosellas. The stop is a welcome change of pace before the train, but the clock is tight if you like to walk slowly or linger over wildlife.

There is a café here where you can buy coffee, but food and drinks are not included in the tour price. Think of the stop as a brief woodland break, not a full nature walk. If exploring the forest is a main reason for your trip, you may wish the schedule allowed more time.

The forest setting adds useful context to the railway ride. Rather than treating Puffing Billy as an isolated attraction, the tour gives you a quick look at the natural surroundings that make the route appealing. Still, the train itself is the main event, and the short stop is best seen as an introduction.

Comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothes will make the stop easier. Sunscreen and a hat are sensible for outdoor time, and a water bottle is useful between stops. The trails are described as short, but the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

One hour aboard Puffing Billy

At Belgrave Station, you board the historic Puffing Billy Railway for the tour’s signature experience. The ride lasts about an hour, passing through rainforest, beneath tall trees and over wooden bridges. The old steam train supplies the sound and motion; the open carriage supplies the fresh-air seat.

The unusual part is the chance to sit with your legs hanging over the side. That makes the ride memorable for children and adults, but it is also an exposed way to travel. You are out in the weather, so dress for the day rather than assuming the carriage will shelter you. In winter, warm layers are especially important.

The views can differ depending on which side of the carriage you sit on. One side may offer a better look toward the valleys, though both sides have scenery. If you’re travelling with family or friends, consider taking turns so everyone gets a chance at the preferred position. You may not be able to choose or change seats freely, so follow your guide’s directions and be considerate of others.

The ride may sometimes operate in the reverse direction. That can change which station comes first, so treat the route as subject to railway operations rather than a fixed sequence. The core experience remains the train journey through the Dandenong Ranges.

There’s a simple pleasure in the mix of steam, open air and passing trees. You don’t need to be a railway enthusiast to enjoy it, though the historic machinery gives the trip extra appeal if you are. This is not a fast ride or a grand tour of the region. It is a focused hour of scenery and old-fashioned transport.

A free hour at Lakeside

The train journey brings you to Lakeside Station, where the tour allows about an hour of free time. You can visit the Lakeside Visitor Centre and Lakeside Hall, with steam artefacts and interactive displays that explain the railway’s past. This stop gives the ride some historical substance, rather than leaving it as scenery alone.

There is also a café where you can buy lunch, but meals are at your own expense. An hour gives you time to eat and look around, though you may have to choose how to divide it. If the railway displays matter most, visit them first and keep lunch simple. If you want a proper sit-down meal, check how much time remains before the group needs to gather.

The stop is a useful counterpoint to the open carriage. On the train, you experience the railway in motion; at Lakeside, you can slow down and look at its objects and history. For families, the combination of the ride and interactive displays can work well across different ages.

Don’t assume this hour is an extra hour of rainforest walking. It is free time around the visitor centre and café, and the exact balance is yours to manage. Keep an eye on the time and meeting instructions so the return coach leaves smoothly.

What six hours means for your day

The full outing takes about six hours, including roughly an hour by coach in each direction, the short Grants stop, the train ride and Lakeside free time. That makes it a manageable way to visit the Dandenong Ranges without turning the excursion into a full-day commitment. Some departures have returned to central Melbourne around 1pm or 2pm, but use the booked start time and current schedule to plan the rest of your day.

The timing also explains the tour’s limits. You get a taste of the forest, a substantial train ride and time for the railway centre, but not a long walk or an unhurried visit at every stop. If you prefer to set your own pace, spend hours on trails or explore several parts of the ranges, independent travel may suit you better.

The three return drop-off points are the same central Melbourne locations offered for pickup: Mercure Melbourne Southbank, Regent Theatre and Her Majesty’s Theatre. That makes the end of the trip straightforward, though you should confirm your selected pickup and drop-off details when booking.

Is the $107 price good value?

At $107 per person, the price includes the one-hour Puffing Billy ride, the Grants Picnic Ground visit, an English-speaking guide and coach transport from Melbourne. The included transport is a meaningful part of the value: it removes the need to arrange your own trip to the railway and coordinate the day’s stops.

The price does not cover lunch, snacks, drinks or gratuities. You’ll want to budget for café purchases if you plan to eat at Grants or Lakeside, and pack a snack if you tend to get hungry between meals. Since the outing uses much of a morning, food planning can make the day more comfortable.

Value depends on what you want from the region. If your priority is the famous train ride with an easy transfer from Melbourne, this is a convenient package. If you mainly want extensive forest walking or a long visit to the railway exhibits, the time allocation may feel restrictive for the price. The tour is best for convenience and a sampler of several experiences, not depth at every stop.

Who will enjoy this tour most

Families can get a lot from the open-carriage ride, and the trip is described as suitable for all ages. The train, birdlife and railway displays offer variety without requiring a demanding hike. One family even included an 80-year-old traveller, but remember that the open train is exposed to the weather and the tour is not wheelchair accessible.

It also suits visitors with limited time in Melbourne who want a countryside outing without renting a car. The coach, guide and railway ticket are arranged together, while the six-hour duration leaves room for city plans before or after, depending on the departure time.

You may want another option if you need step-free access, are travelling with a baby stroller, or want to carry luggage or large bags. Strollers, large bags, non-folding wheelchairs and unaccompanied minors are not allowed. The tour also prohibits feeding animals. Check the restrictions before booking if any of these apply to your group.

Should you book the Puffing Billy and Rainforest Tour?

Book it if you want the open-carriage Puffing Billy ride and value having transport and a guide arranged from Melbourne. The woodland stop, native birds and Lakeside displays add variety, while the short format makes the outing easier to fit into a city stay.

Choose another plan if a long forest walk, a leisurely railway visit or wheelchair access is essential. The most practical approach is to wear comfortable shoes, dress for the weather, bring water and pack a snack. If those trade-offs work for you, this is a straightforward way to experience a distinctive Victorian railway and get a little fresh air beyond the city.

FAQ

How long does the tour take?

The tour lasts about six hours, including coach travel from Melbourne, the stops in the Dandenong Ranges and the return journey.

Where are the pickup points?

Pickup is available at Mercure Melbourne Southbank, Regent Theatre or Her Majesty’s Theatre. Your guide meets you outside the location you select.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at least 10 minutes before departure for check-in.

How long is the Puffing Billy ride?

The train ride lasts about one hour.

Can I sit with my legs outside the carriage?

The open carriages allow you to sit with your legs dangling over the side.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the one-hour train ride, a visit to Grants Picnic Ground, an English-speaking guide and transport to and from Melbourne in a modern vehicle.

Are lunch and drinks included?

No. Lunch, snacks and drinks are not included. You can buy coffee at Grants Picnic Ground and lunch at the Lakeside café.

How much time is spent at Grants Picnic Ground?

The stop is about 20 minutes, with time for a short walk and a look for native birds.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. Non-folding wheelchairs are not allowed.

Can the train travel in either direction?

At times, the train may operate in the reverse direction.