Puffing Billy is one of Australia’s most well-known and beloved railways. Located in the Dandenong Ranges near Melbourne, this 3-foot Victorian-era coach has been departing from its base of operations at Belgrave Station for over 100 years.
To this day, tourists who want a quick escape from Australia’s food capital take the short journey to Belgrave Station, where they embark on a scenic adventure. While you can get tickets at the station, the queues are long, and standing around to get a ticket can put a damper on the whole experience.
Fortunately, you can now experience this small piece of Australian heritage without the headache of planning a day trip. This guide is your opportunity to compare the best Puffing Billy Railway tickets, learn about the timetable, and book your adventure without the fuss.
If you’re ready to board one of Australia’s top activities, get ready to learn everything you need to know, all in one place.
Highlights:
Enjoy a scenic ride on an authentic 1920s train
See the Dandenong Ranges
Admire Emerald Lake Park
Know before you book:
Book online to miss the queues
Children under the age of 4 travel for free, but need to be included in the ticket booking count
Make use of the luncheon and/or dinner options
Puffing Billy is open every day except for Christmas Day (25 December)
Table of Contents: (Jump to)
Puffing Billy Ticket Prices for 2026
How much is a Puffing Billy Railway ticket? Prices vary based on availability and seasonality, but here are the general prices for each round-trip route:
- Belgrave Station to Menzies Creek: $42 AUD ($29 USD) per adult
- Belgrave Station to Lakeside Station: $64 AUD ($44 USD) per adult
- Lakeside Station to Gembrook Station: $64 AUD ($44 USD) per adult
- Belgrave Station to Gembrook Station: $82 AUD ($57 USD) per adult
There are also more elaborate tour options available for those looking to add to their experience. Most Puffing Billy packages start around $173 AUD ($120 USD) and can cost as much as $233 AUD ($162 USD) depending on what is included in your package.
You can compare some of these options and Puffing Billy prices below:
Puffing Billy Timetable for 2026
Puffing Billy departure and arrival times follow a strict roster. Here’s a look at what the daily schedule looks like during normal operation:
Monday – Thursday
Belgrave to Menzies Creek Return (25 minutes each way)
- 10:35 am depart Belgrave | 11:00 am arrive Menzies Creek | 11:35 am depart Menzies Creek | 11:55 am arrive Belgrave
Belgrave to Lakeside Return (1 hour each way)
- 10:00 am depart Belgrave | 11:00 am arrive Lakeside | 12:25 pm depart Lakeside | 1:20 pm arrive Belgrave
- 11:00 am depart Belgrave | 11:55 am arrive Lakeside | 2:15 pm depart Lakeside | 3:10 pm arrive Belgrave
- 12:30 pm depart Belgrave | 1:25 pm arrive Lakeside | 3:20 pm depart Lakeside | 4:10 pm arrive Belgrave
- 2:15 pm depart Belgrave | 3:10 pm arrive Lakeside | 4:15 pm depart Lakeside | 5:10 pm arrive Belgrave
Belgrave to Gembrook Return (1 hour and 50 minutes each way)
- Not operating on these days.
Friday – Sunday
Belgrave to Menzies Creek Return (25 minutes each way)
- 10:35 am depart Belgrave | 11:00 am arrive Menzies Creek | 11:40 am depart Menzies Creek | 12:00 am arrive Belgrave
Belgrave to Lakeside Return (1 hour each way)
- 10:00 am depart Belgrave | 11:00 am arrive Lakeside | 12:25 pm depart Lakeside | 1:20 pm arrive Belgrave
- 11:10 am depart Belgrave | 12:05 am arrive Lakeside | 4:00 pm depart Lakeside | 4:50 pm arrive Belgrave
- 12:30 pm depart Belgrave | 1:35 pm arrive Lakeside | 3:20 pm depart Lakeside | 4:10 pm arrive Belgrave
- 2:15 pm depart Belgrave | 3:10 pm arrive Lakeside | 4:40 pm depart Lakeside | 5:30 pm arrive Belgrave
Belgrave to Gembrook Return (1 hour and 50 minutes each way)
- 11:10 am depart Belgrave | 1:15 pm arrive Gembrook | 3:05 pm depart Gembrook | 4:50 pm arrive Belgrave
Lakeside to Gembrook Return (50 minutes each way)
- 12:35 pm depart Lakeside | 1:15 pm arrive Gembrook | 3:05 pm depart Gembrook | 3:40 pm arrive Lakeside
Travel Tip: Puffing Billy bookings are best done online, so as to miss the queues at the station’s ticket office. When booking online, make sure your package aligns with what you want to see and do.
Puffing Billy Railway Timetable & Map
Here’s a glance at the Puffing Billy map, and what you can expect from your journey.
What To Expect From Your Puffing Billy Train Ticket
Spanning the full 18 miles located between Belgrave and Gembrook, this Victorian-era railway winds like a snake in the wilderness. From the carriages it pulls to the track itself, you’ll think you’ve gone back in time with a ride on the Puffing Billy Railway.
Traveling through the mountains, with the forests and farmlands for company, you’re never short of spectacular sights and sounds. For some, this is the best way to see this side of the world, and we’re inclined to agree.
Emerald Lake and Menzies Creek make for picturesque landscapes. Towns such as Emerald and Gembrook offer valuable insights into Australian history and heritage.
With the option of lunch and/or dinner experiences, you know you’ll be treated to a luxurious cabin experience. And, if you time it right, on the last Saturday of every month, you could catch the local market at Gembrook Station.
The Puffing Billy railway is one of Melbourne’s greatest getaways from the modern city. Here, you can find a gateway into the past as well as into nature. You’ll also get an authentic “Aussie” experience unlike any other.
Our Favorite Puffing Billy Steam Train Ticket Options
The iconic Puffing Billy Railway offers a pleasant variety of tour options for you to choose from, whether you want a simple train ride through the forests or a food-fueled adventure.
Below you’ll find our personal favorites for an unforgettable adventure from Melbourne.
Self-Guided Puffing Billy Heritage Steam Train Journey
If you like the “do-it-yourself” type of adventure, then you’ll love this self-guided option. When booking, you can pick the exact route you want to take, be it a trip to the iconic Lakeside Visitor Centre or the historic Menzies Museum.
You’ll still get to admire the scenic landscapes as you coast past towering mountain ash trees. The only difference: you don’t need to follow a guide, so you have full control.
- Puffing Billy tickets
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
From Melbourne: Half-Day Puffing Billy Steam Train Experience
If you’re looking for a bit more structure but don’t have the entire day to explore the beautiful Dandenong Ranges, then this half-day tour is for you. This trip includes a private coach from your hotel to Belgrave Station.
You’ll get some free time at Belgrave before boarding a 1-hour, one-way trip to Lakeside Station. Throughout the entire trip, you’ll have a knowledgeable local guide, providing key insights about the area, train, and much more.
And if that’s not enough, you can also add the Phillip Island penguin afternoon tour to your itinerary to make an even more memorable trip.
- Selected hotel pickup in Melbourne
- Multilingual audio commentary on the coach
- Knowledgeable English-speaking guide
- Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
- One-way Puffing Billy ticket
- Phillip Island penguin afternoon tour (if picked)
- Drop-off at the Immigration Museum
- Food and drink
- Gratuities
From Melbourne: Puffing Billy & Healesville Sanctuary Scenic Tour
For a full-day adventure with breathtaking views in open-sided carriages and a deluxe chocolate tasting, this should be your go-to tour. Starting with a private shuttle from Hotel Windsor, you’ll enjoy a comfortable trip to Belgarve Station.
From here, you’ll board this historic locomotive before breathing in the fresh air and enjoying sweeping views of fern gullies and towering mountains. Once you arrive at the Lakeside Station, you’ll take a scenic walk around Emerald Lake before exploring the nature-filled Healesville Sanctuary.
And let’s not forget you’ll end your tour at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie, where you’ll sample some of the best chocolates in the region.
- Pickup and drop-off in Melbourne
- One-way Puffing Billy ticket
- Private air-conditioned transport
- Entrance to Healesville Sanctuary Wildlife Park
- Entrance to Yarra Valley Chocolaterie
- Lunch (available for purchase)
- Souvenirs
- Additional food and drinks
Specification: Puffing Billy Railway Tickets: Prices & Timetables for 2026
|
Jennifer_B –
Alan our tour guide was wonderful. Healesville sanctuary was a great stop-we loved the platypus and bird talk. The train is a fun experience, but it is a little disorganized because there are too many workers organizing people.
Anonymous –
It was a great experience to do and would recommend it to other to do if they were to go to the area.
Anonymous –
Puffing billy was cool and worth the trip. The bird feeding part should not be your main concern for this trip as the bird feeding is not so large. Our guide and bus driver Dan was friendly and helpful. The tour ends at 1pm so you will have plenty time to spend for the rest of the sunshine in the afternoon. Good arranagment overall.