Puffing Billy Steam Train & Phillip Island Penguin Parade: Full-Day Scenic Tour from Melbourne CBD

Embark on a full-day scenic tour from Melbourne CBD to experience the Puffing Billy Steam Train and witness the magical Penguin Parade at Phillip Island. Book now!

Duration: 11 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Puffing Billy Railway Lakeside Visitor Centre - Puffing Billy and Lunch
    Ride Puffing Billy Emerald Lake Park to Belgrave. Enjoy this iconic steam train ride through the glorious Dandenong Ranges. One of the most popular tourist destinations in Victoria. You will have the opportunity to purchase your own lunch at the picturesque Emerald Lake. Time…
What's Included
  • Entry to ride Puffing Billy (Belgrave to Emerald Lake)
  • Entry to Phillip Island Penguin Parade
  • Entry to Emerald Lake
  • Entry to The Nobbies
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Guide
What's Not Included
  • Bottled water
Additional Information

Embark on this full-day tour with a comfortable air-conditioned ride from a readily accessible location in Melbourne CBD. Begin your journey with a stop at the scenic Emerald Lake, nestled in the stunning Dandenong Ranges, where you can take a tranquil walk around and buy your lunch. Next, get ready to board the renowned Puffing Billy Steam Train that…

Location
Puffing Billy Railway Lakeside Visitor Centre
Emerald Lake Road
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.5
(239 Ratings)
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Geoffgeoffgeoff3
Mar 30, 2025
Steam Penguin Fun - Great day out. I enjoyed the steam loco, and the penguin parade was a unique experience. Kudos to our guide Philip Island, who was helpful to everyone. As I was riding shotgun we had some decent conversation too - give him a pay rise so he can afford a big boat!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brendaw438
Mar 28, 2025
Fun Train & Adorable Penguins! - Loved this excursion! It’s a long one, with some chunks of travel time on the bus, but worth it for the experiences. Puffing Billy very interesting, great for the young. Try to be among the first on bcThe half trip we took was enough to see some great views. The Penguin Parade at Phillip Island shouldn’t be missed! Loads of walking, so be prepared. Grandstand not great for viewing, the best views are along the boardwalk on your way back to parking. We saw a group of 8 Little Penguins waddling along for most of the way back, and they were ADORABLE! So funny and cute. Definitely a unique experience! Our tour guide (I think Gav?) was very helpful and friendly. Went out of his way to accommodate us when we went to the wrong pick-up point. He definitely saved the day, and the trip, for us! Bus is small, hot, and crowded. Should put shades on windows. Engine struggled to ascend the mountain.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Antonino_i
Mar 26, 2025
A must do - Nathan was a fantastic guide. Punctual, kept us fully informed, and told us about all the local things. He was overly patient with people who were late, but this did not affect tour much. Really enjoyed both parts of tour. Seeing those tiny penguins was amazing.
Review provided by Viator
Sakura_t
Mar 22, 2025
I could enjoy Puffing... - I could enjoy Puffing Billy Railway and Penguin Parade in the same day! You can find many penguins along boardwalks rather than at the beach. Our guide, David, was very kind, knowledgeable and friendly. He's the best guide ever:)
Review provided by Viator
Andreas
Mar 18, 2025
Good! - Nice views and unforgettable experiences. At the Puffing Billy, sitt on the same side of the trin as you get on if you can for the best views.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Meander28139525296
Mar 10, 2025
I liked your guide Harry. - Our guide, Harry, was very energetic and friendly, well guided, and we were able to go on the tour with peace of mind and enjoy it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Angelakaitak_n
Mar 8, 2025
It was a splendid tour... - It was a splendid tour which covers 2 great attractions in one day! The tour guide was great n informative n helpful in all circumstances. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Viator
Philippa_f
Mar 4, 2025
Worth every penny, definitely book this tour! - Had a wonderful day out with our tour guide, Nathan, who was super friendly and fun. Very knowledgeable on all the places we were visiting and giving us lots of insider tips. He took us to some local spots that didn't have any other tourists which was excellent, we'd definitely not hand known about those without his guidance! The wallabies and penguins were the highlight of the tour for me. Watching them in their natural habitat in the bush/countryside was excellent, and the seeing the penguins waddle in from the sea and into the sand dunes was so amazing. They are so sweet and unlike anything you'll see anywhere else. It does get chilly during the Penguin Parade so bring a coat! The Puffing Billy train ride was super fun, with stunning scenery the entire way. Being able to sit on the side with your legs hanging out of the carriage was great, a fantastic experience which you won't get anywhere else. Highly recommend this tour, you won't be disappointed!
Review provided by Viator
Vincent_n
Mar 31, 2025
Not recommended - The sights are worth seeing but everything was rushed. There was not enough time provided, except for the puffin train ride, duration was fixed anyway. The tour bus was 28 mins late, despite the operator sending emails indicating to be on-pickup site 5mins before appointed time. Very uncomfortable and cramped bus. Paying for way more expensive fast food for meals as a ‘captured’ customer at the one-and-only food outlets while waiting at long long lines is another experience. Won’t recommend this tour.
Review provided by Viator
Michelle_c
Mar 22, 2025
There were 3 busses but... - There were 3 busses but only 2 showed up I was supposed to be on the one that didn't show I got a message well after the time we were to leave that due to unforseen circumstances our tour was canceled. I felt so sorry for the families
Review provided by Viator
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
April 2025
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