Is Puffing Billy Worth It?

Puffing Billy is a restored early-20th-century narrow-gauge steam train that runs through tall eucalypt forest and fern gullies in the Dandenong Ranges, about an hour east of Melbourne. The signature experience is sitting on the edge of the open carriages with your legs dangling while the locomotive chugs across a high timber trestle bridge and through dense rainforest. The core trip from Belgrave to Emerald or Lakeside takes roughly one hour each way. The ride itself is gentle and family-friendly rather than thrilling; expect soot, coal smoke, and the loud whistle. It gets very crowded on weekends and school holidays, so the atmosphere can feel more like a theme park than a quiet heritage railway.

The best time is autumn (March–May) or spring (September–November) when the weather is mild and the crowds are thinner. Summer can be hot and busy; winter is colder but often has clearer light. Expect to pay around A$50–90 for a basic return ticket from Belgrave; a full-day tour that includes the train ride, lunch, and a stop at a wildlife sanctuary or Healesville Sanctuary runs closer to A$150–250 per adult. Honest tip: just buy the standard return train ticket and drive or take the train to Belgrave yourself – it’s cheaper and more flexible. Skip the overpriced “premium” packages with contrived extras unless you really need transport and a guided group.