Puffing Billy Rainforest Tour from Melbourne

• 1 hour train ride on Puffing Billy
• Visit to Grants Picnic Ground
• Friendly & informative guide
• Transport to/from Melbourne in modern vehicle

• Food and drinks

Below are our pickup locations;

Mercure Melbourne Southbank – 9 Riverside Quay, Southbank
Regent Theatre – 191 Collins St
Her Majesty’s Theatre – 219 Exhibition St
Mail Exchange Hotel – 688 Bourke St

Check availability to see starting times.

• Comfortable shoes
• Comfortable clothes

• A 95% refund will be offered for customer-requested cancellations made up to 6 days prior to travel, with a 5% non-refundable administration and booking fee retained. Cancellations made within 5 days of travel will incur a 100% cancellation fee, including no-shows.
• Should supplier be required to cancel or the operation of the tour for any reason, including on the rare occasions due to inclement weather, an alternative date or itinerary will be offered to the passenger. If the alternative date or itinerary cannot be arranged or agreed upon, a full refund will be authorised. If the passenger accepts the alternative date or itinerary, no refunds will be issued.
• Tour itinerary may be subject to change without notice due to weather conditions or operational requirements.
• Availability was accurate at the time of booking however, is subject to change due to circumstances out of our control
• Mobile Vouchers are accepted! – Vouchers can also be presented on your mobile device for this attraction

The Puffing Billy journey lasts about one hour between Belgrave and Lakeside, although the train may occasionally travel in the opposite direction. You’ll then have around one hour at Lakeside to buy lunch, explore the railway displays, browse the gift shop and enjoy the lake views before returning to Melbourne.

Yes. Sitting on the sill of Puffing Billy’s open-side carriages is one of the most memorable parts of the journey. Children aged 4 to 13 must stay within arm’s reach of a supervising adult, with no more than two children per adult. Children under 4 can still enjoy the train ride but must remain inside the carriage.

Lunch isn’t included, but you can buy food and drinks from the Railway Café at Lakeside during the stop. Takeaway options are also available. Bring a bank card because Puffing Billy’s food and retail outlets are cashless.

The walking is light and forms a small part of the half-day experience. At Grants Picnic Ground, you can enjoy a short rainforest stroll among towering trees and colourful native birds. You’ll also be able to explore Lakeside at your own pace, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Yes. The half-day duration, one-hour steam train journey, open-side carriages, native birdlife and Lakeside stop make this an enjoyable choice for families. Children under 4 can ride inside the carriage, while older children may sit on the sill when the supervision rules are followed.

Pickup is available from selected locations in Southbank and Melbourne CBD, with collections scheduled between approximately 7.25am and 8am. The tour generally returns to Melbourne at around 1.30pm to 2pm, leaving the rest of the afternoon free.

Wear comfortable shoes and bring a warm or waterproof layer, as the Dandenong Ranges can feel cooler than Melbourne. Sunglasses or a hat are also useful on the open-side train because a little steam-train soot can occasionally drift into the carriages.