Puffing Billy Private Tours
Victoria, Australia
Last Minute Tickets Available with our Puffing Billy Private Tours*
Choose from any of our Puffing Billing Private Day Tours and step away from the city and surrender to the nostalgic charm of the Dandenong Ranges aboard Australia's most beloved steam train, Puffing Billy. For the high-end traveler, this is not just a train ride - it’s a curated step back in time, elevated by luxury and bespoke service. Elevate the classic experience by securing an exclusive private carriage or the First Class Dining Train, complete with plush seating, elegant drapery, and a dedicated attendant. You'll embark on the century-old narrow-gauge railway, passing towering Mountain Ash trees and picturesque trestle bridges, with the freedom to fully immerse yourself in the journey's sights, sounds, and scents. Embrace the romance of steam-era travel in unparalleled comfort. Your classic Victorian First-Class Heritage Experience with Melbourne Touring Company awaits.
Book one of our seamless, luxury Puffing Billing Private Day Tours to experience the Puffing Billy Steam Train. Enjoy the scenic Dandenong Ranges, on these convenient and nostalgic day trips.
*Tickets must be purchased as part of Tour.
6+ Hour Puffing Billy Private Tours
Puffing Billy Day Tour
6 hours
1 to 11+ people
Step back in time with Melbourne Touring Company’s unforgettable Puffing Billy Private Tour!
Ride through the stunning Dandenong Ranges aboard Australia’s most iconic steam train, with open-air carriages that let you soak up the sights, sounds, and scents of the forest. Visit the Lakeside Visitor Centre and relive the joy of sitting on the carriage sill as you wind through towering trees and fern-filled gullies. With history, scenery, and a touch of nostalgia, this Private Tour is the perfect day out for all ages
6 hours
1 to 11+ people
From A$999
Puffing Billy to Phillip Island Private Day Tour
11 hours (approx)
1 to 24+ people
All aboard for a day of wonder and wildlife! Begin your journey on the iconic Puffing Billy steam train, chugging through lush fern-filled forests in open-air carriages. Then it’s off to stunning Phillip Island, where you’ll stroll along scenic coastlines, and end the day with the magic of the world-famous Penguin Parade. It’s a truly unforgettable Australian experience from start to finish!
11 hours (approx)
1 to 24+ people
From A$1599
How old is Puffing Billy?
Puffing Billy is not just an old steam train; it is a meticulously preserved piece of living history. The railway line that Puffing Billy runs on - the narrow-gauge line between Upper Ferntree Gully and Gembrook - was officially opened to carry passengers on December 18, 1900. Meaning that this beloved railway icon is over 125 years old! It was originally built to serve the remote communities and industries of the Dandenong Ranges and today it serves the community as its most famous attraction.
After 50 years of dedicated service, the original Puffing Billy railway ceased operations due to a severe landslide that completely blocked the track. But a dedicated community of volunteers - the Puffing Billy Preservation Society – would not let this be the end for this much loved icon. They worked tirelessly to restore the line and resume operations. The first section reopened from Belgrave to Menzies Creek in 1962, relaunching it as the incredible tourist attraction we know today.
When you ride Puffing Billy, you are not just on a train; you are experiencing a century-old tradition, riding on the original track with original steam engines that date back to the very start of the 1900s!
Need an expert guide?
Check out private Puffing Billy tours by Melbourne Touring Company
Where is Puffing Billy?
Puffing Billy, Australia's most beloved and best-preserved steam railway, is located in the magnificent Dandenong Ranges, in Victoria, Australia. These picturesque mountains are part of the wider Yarra Valley region.
This iconic steam train runs on a narrow-gauge heritage line, located just one hour east of the Melbourne CBD, ensuring it is an easily accessible and delightful day trip. The main station and official headquarters of Puffing Billy is located at Belgrave, which is also conveniently accessible via the Metro train Belgrave line from Melbourne's Flinders Street Station.
The Puffing Billy railway lines runs on its original mountain track for 24 kilometres, winding through temperate rainforest, lush fern gullies, and towering Mountain Ash trees, eventually connecting the towns of Belgrave, Menzies Creek, Lakeside, and Gembrook.
The journey begins at Belgrave Station, where you board the open-sided carriages - perfect for the famous tradition of dangling your legs over the side as the historic steam engine chugs through the forest!
Need an expert guide?
Check out private Puffing Billy tours by Melbourne Touring Company
Who operates Puffing Billy?
Puffing Billy is proudly operated by the Puffing Billy Railway Board (PBRB). However, the heart and soul of this historic railway operation really lies with its dedicated community of volunteers who bring this much loved icon to life every day by their hard work and passion. This dedicated force of Puffing Billy Preservation Society volunteers is deeply involved in all aspects of the railway, from staffing stations and checking tickets to maintaining the historic trains and track.
Puffing Billy operates entirely on a not-for-profit basis, meaning all revenue generated from your ticket sales goes directly back into preserving the magnificent locomotives, carriages, and infrastructure for future generations to enjoy.
In short, when you take a trip on Puffing Billy you are supporting a unique, volunteer-backed effort to keep a vital piece of Australian railway heritage steaming through the beautiful Dandenong Ranges!
Need an expert guide?
Check out private Puffing Billy tours by Melbourne Touring Company
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You receive 1 train ticket on the Puffing Billy for every 1 person booked on your tour. (So if you booked a 2 person tour, you get 2 train tickets – 4 person tour 4 train tickets, etc)
Yes the standard ticket included with your MTC Puffing Billy Tour is a one-way ticket from Belgrave to Lakeside (Emerald Lake). However you can choose the return journey from Lakeside back to Belgrave instead if you prefer. Your choice. It is a one-way ticket only.
This very much depends on how long you would like your tour to be. Our standard total tour time is 6 hours, so this allows up to 1.5 hours of additional time enjoying a number of options. You could spend this time at Emerald Lake. There are paddleboats in summer, 10 km of walking trails, a children’s playground and a Museum at nearby Emerald.
Yes. All our tours are priced and timed on the basis that we will pick you up at your hotel in the central Melbourne city area and return you to your hotel on completion of the tour. (If your hotel is outside the central Melbourne city area we may need to charge an additional fee. Please advise your pick up location when enquiring so that we can clarify if extra fees apply.)
For couples, families or small groups of less than 11 people, we offer a modern, comfortable, air-conditioned mini-bus, such as a Toyota Commuter. We also have smaller vehicles available as a VIP upgrade option for an additional $250. These include VIP AUDI and Mercedes vehicles. For larger groups we also offer a 24 seat bus and have an option to upgrade to a 45 seat coach.
Unfortunately no. We are long-term partner with Puffing Billy and one of the terms of our agreement is that we cannot on-sell tickets that we purchase for our guests. They must only be used as part of a booked tour. As a preferred supplier to Puffing Billy we honour and respect this agreement.
Our standard tour is 6 hours long. This is from pickup to drop-off at your hotel and includes travel from the city to the Dandenongs. The Puffing Billy component of your tour takes up 4.5 hours leaving 1.5 hours free for you to do whatever you like. You can spend this time at the beautiful Emerald Lake park, go for a rainforest walk or look around some of the lovely little villages in the hills such as Belgrave or Sassafras.
A. Yes, there are! In the summer months from October to March you can go Strawberry or Cherry Picking in the hills. You can spend additional time at Emerald Lake Park, go for a rainforest walk or explore the many lovely little villages in the Dandenongs such as Belgrave or Sassafras. You can extend the tour by $100 per additional hour. If you’d like to take in a longer tour that includes a visit to Philip Island to see the Little Penguin Parade why not consider this tour - Puffing Billy & Phillip Island Penguin Tour
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