15 Puffing Billy Tours in Australia to Plan a Day Around

1.Puffing Billy & Healesville Sanctuary Scenic Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,220 reviews · 8 hours · from $162Our pick

Belgrave to Emerald Lake on Puffing Billy, native animals at Healesville Sanctuary, then complimentary chocolates in Yarra Valley.

“It was a well organized day trip. The driver was experienced and kind. The puffing Billy was enjoyable no matter how old you are. I was excited to see koalas, kangaroos, wombats and other Australian animals in the Healesville Sanctuary. The Yarra Vally chocolate factory was in a scenic place. We came back to the city around 6.15pm.”

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2.Puffing Billy Railway: Heritage Steam Train Journey

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,195 reviews · 2 - 4 hours · from $29Best value

Ride the heritage Puffing Billy steam train through the Dandenong Ranges from Belgrave or Lakeside, plus scenic Emerald Lake Park stops.

“It was a wonderful experience! Everyone was very helpful and friendly plus the entire area was clean and well maintained!”

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3.Puffing Billy and Penguin Parade Combo Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,184 reviews · 12 hours · from $165

Puffing Billy steam train through the Dandenong Ranges, Emerald Lake break, Nobbies coast walk, and Phillip Island Penguin Parade at sunset.

“This trip was amazing! Lorraine was very knowledgeable on the history of Melbourne and the penguins on Phillip Island. She made it an excellent tour.”

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4.Puffing Billy Steam Train & Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 640 reviews · 8 hours · from $140

Ride the steam train through the Dandenong Ranges, then meet koalas and birds of prey at Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary, with guided transport.

“Its a must have experience!! Puffing Billy was an absolute delight—leaning out the open-sided carriages with the wind in my face felt like a step back in time. And watching Kangaroos and Koalas at Healsville sanctuary made and unforgettable day. Special thanks to our guide who was well informed about the tour. He made sure to share all information to keep us curious and engaged tthroughout the tour. Highly recommend this tour for any one. Going back with great memories”

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5.Puffing Billy Train & Penguin Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 605 reviews · 12 hours · from $145

Puffing Billy steam train in the Dandenong Ranges and Phillip Island Penguin Parade at dusk, with The Nobbies views.

“Darren was a great guide! very informative, friendly and down to earth guy 😀 Made the experience great! would recommend 10/10!”

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6.Puffing Billy And Healesville Sanctuary Scenic Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 451 reviews · from $163

Steam train, lakeside walk, wildlife, and Yarra Valley chocolate in one long day. Entry fees and coffee included.

“Amazing. The words can't describe it. My partner almost convinced me to move there. Nathan was superb. Everyone we interacted with was welcoming.”

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7.Puffing Billy And Phillip Island Penguin Parade Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 351 reviews · from $171

Full-day Melbourne bus tour with Puffing Billy steam train, The Nobbies coast stops, and Phillip Island Penguin Parade plus dinner options.

“This tour group is utterly hopeless. We tried to get in touch with them throughout the weeks leading up to the tour as they sent us two sets of instructions for pick up. 10:30 and 12:30. We have trails of emails, messages and phone calls froRead more”

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8.Half-Day Puffing Billy Steam Train Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 263 reviews · 6 hours - 1 day · from $126

Half-day Puffing Billy steam train from Belgrave through the Dandenongs, plus Emerald Lake Park, guided comfort, and central CBD drop-off.

“Had a good tour with Rhys. The tour is a nice half day tour to start the day. The train ride was nice”

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9.Puffing Billy Railway & Rainforest Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 239 reviews · 6 hours · from $107

Steam trains and rainforest birds in Melbourne, plus an hour on Puffing Billy's open carriages. Short, easy day trip.

“Brilliant trip, thoroughly enjoyed. Spectacular views and a great day out.”

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10.Puffing Billy Railway & Penguin Parade Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 195 reviews · 12 hours · from $145

Ride Puffing Billy through the Dandenong Ranges and see little penguins waddle in at sunset, with an optional koala park stop.

“The day was packed but very well organised. Our guide was very knowledgeable and knew when to point to see things and he also gave us a great tip on where to sit to see the Penguin Parade best and he was so right.”

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11.Puffing Billy Penguin Parade Brighton Boxes Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 161 reviews · 1 day · from $140

Day trip from Melbourne to Brighton bathing boxes, Puffing Billy steam train, and Phillip Island Penguin Parade, with tickets and pickup.

“Though the trip to the Puffing Billy train was canceled due to weather conditions (with advanced notice and partial and/or full refunds being provided), it was still a great tour and it's the only one I had been able to find that included both Brighton Beach and Philip Island in the line-up. Don't worry if you dont speak Cantonese; Rick was a great guide, sharing insights while transitioning seamlessly between Cantonese and English throughout the trip, and so we English speakers didn't have to download an app or wear headphones for translation (as suggested by the tour description). Of course, the circumstance may not be the same in all instances…”

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12.Puffing Billy Penguin Parade Winery Chocolaterie All-in-One

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 128 reviews · 13 hours · from $120

Steam train, Yarra Valley wine and chocolate, optional koalas, and the Phillip Island penguin parade in a 13-hour tour.

“Spending New Year’s Eve in the Yarra Valley was such a wonderful way to welcome the new year! Our driver was so helpful and made sure everyone had a fantastic time. The only thing that could have been better was the limited legroom on the bus, but thankfully, the tallest person in our group managed to fit in with their legs sticking out into the aisle. It was a long day, but it was packed with amazing experiences.”

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13.Puffing Billy Train and Penguin Island Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 40 reviews · 14 hours · from $113

A long but satisfying Melbourne day tour: Puffing Billy steam train, Maru animal stop, Nobbies cliffs, and Penguin Parade at dusk.

“Our tour guide, Evan Wu, was responsible and had a great sense of humor. The whole trip was well-organized and very enjoyable. We watched the amazing penguin parade and rode the exciting and scenic Puffing Billy Railway.”

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14.Penguin Parade Tour with Puffing Billy Train Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 34 reviews · 12 hours · from $133

Melbourne day trip: ride Puffing Billy steam train through the Dandenong Ranges, then Penguin Parade at dusk with coastal views.

“Driver was inconsiderate to my grandfathers mobility issues and parked very far at the penguin parade despite there being open spots closer which upset my grandfather who insisted we go on without him so he didn’t get to properly enjoy the experience or see any penguins.”

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15.Puffing Billy Penguin Parade Winery Chocolaterie All-in-One

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 23 reviews · 13 hours · from $113Top rated

13-hour Victoria day trip with Yarra Valley chocolate and ice cream, a cool-climate winery stop, Puffing Billy steam train, and Phillip Island penguins.

“bus arrived on time and everything works well as described on the website”

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