A Night at the Museum | Halloween Experience

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STEP INTO THE SHADOWS AND SOLVE A GHOSTLY MYSTERY

This Halloween, brace yourself for a night of spine-chilling suspense at Puffing Billy Railway’s most eerie event yet; A Night at the Museum – Halloween Experience. For three thrilling nights only, passengers are invited to step into a gripping whodunit where every shadow hides a secret, and every sound sends shivers down your spine.

Legend has it that the restless spirit of Barnaby Brakeman, a beloved conductor whose life was tragically cut short, haunts the railway. It’s up to you to unravel the mystery of his untimely fate and recover a missing artefact to free the railway from Barnaby's haunting presence and restore peace for all.

Locomotive in darkness at a station platform.

As darkness falls, passengers will board Puffing Billy Railway from Lakeside Station, setting off on a 50-minute return journey to Menzies Creek. Dare to hang your legs over the carriage sill* as you journey through the Dandenong Ranges and get ready to encounter the supernatural, with spooky lights, hair-raising soundscapes, and ghostly apparitions lurking as you pass Nobelius Packing Shed.

Upon arriving at Menzies Creek, passengers will have a 45-minute layover to dive into the mystery. Armed with clue cards and guided by ghoulish steam train crew members, including the eerie Station Master and Conductor, each person will navigate through the haunted Museum to uncover secrets and help release the railway from Barnaby's ghostly grip.

The future of the railway rests in your hands – will you solve the mystery and lift this curse, or will you become another lost soul in the Halloween horror?

DINING OPTIONS

Dinner at the Railway Cafe

Before the frightfully fun journey begins, passengers can relax at the Lakeside Visitor Centre Railway Café, where a full menu and drinks bar featuring a selection of local beers, wines, and ciders are available.

We recommend that you arrive no later than 6.00 pm to enjoy dinner prior to departure.

A cafe inside a building. The interior is made up of wood and black along with concrete. A large number of visitors are seen sitting at tables in the cafe.

Classic Scones and Tea is available for pre-order with your tickets, and can be collected from the Railway Cafe after you check in at the Ticket Window.

Accessibility

Reduced Mobility

Car Parking and Arrival

PATHWAYS | There are paved pathways to Lakeside station and the Lakeside Visitor Centre from the car park. Please note that due to the topography of the area, the pathways are steep and/or narrow in places.

Concrete Steps From Top Lakeside Car Park. The steps has handrails and there is a wooden bench at the bottom of the steps. A concrete path continues on.

Steps From Top Lakeside Car Park

ACCESSIBLE CAR PARKING SPACES | The Lakeside Visitor Centre has accessible car parking spots in two different locations, both located within the Emerald Lake Park Precinct, Emerald Lake Road Emerald (view map here):

Lakeside Visitor Centre Main Car Park: Three accessible car spaces. From there, access to the station platform is via a ramp. Please note that this ramp has a moderate gradient (see photos below).

Road sign showing the directions to two accessible car parking areas as well as a public car park.

Signage shows the way to the two accessible car parking areas at the Lakeside Visitor Centre.

Three accessible car parking spots, with a zebra crossing opposite.

Accessible Car Parking Spots near the main entrance to the Lakeside Visitor Centre.

A paved pathway curves to the right down to main entrance of the Lakeside Visitor Centre. The modern centre can be seen on the right, with a black roof, while the heritage Lakeside station is on the left with warm yellow walls and red roofs. There are handrails along the path, which is on an incline.

Paved pathway from the accessible car parks to the main entrance to the Lakeside Visitor Centre and Lakeside station.

Lakeside Visitor Centre Loading Dock: Two accessible car spaces. From there, you can access the Centre via a short wig wag pathway and step-free access to the alfresco deck entrance (see photos).

Two accessible car parking spots next to a building with black cladding.

Paved walkway with white picket fence to a train platform.

Pathway from the accessible car parking spots at the loading dock to the alfresco entrance.

Ramp up to an alfresco deck. A train platform is located adjacent to the ramp.

A ramp provides step free access to the Lakeside Visitor Centre Alfresco Entrance.

LAKESIDE VISITOR CENTRE ACCESSIBILITY | The Lakeside Visitor Centre has step-free access throughout and features one of the Dandenong Ranges' few Changing Places Adult Change Facilities.

A concrete corridor next to a cafe

Lakeside Visitor Centre Corridor Next To Cafe

EMERALD LAKE PARK PRECINCT ACCESSIBILITY | Emerald Lake Park features many pathways to explore the precinct. The pathways around the lake have some paved and some gravel sections. Please note that due to the topography of the area, the pathways are steep and/or narrow in places.

Accessible Toilets

The Lakeside Visitor Centre features both an accessible toilet as well as a Changing Places toilet.

Carriage Dimensions

Our heritage open side carriages are narrow and have limited space. As a result, you may find the space restrictive, depending on your circumstances. Below, you will find a set of measurements and images that provide further information about our carriage dimensions. Kindly note that due to differences in height between platforms and carriages, some measurements may vary and the below is to be seen as a guide only.

External dimensions

Photo showing external carriage dimensions. Read below for a list of bullet points outlining the dimensions.

List of external dimensions

Height of carriage door: 1,750 mm
Width of carriage door: 600 mm
Height from platform to step into the carriage (approximate only): 150 mm
Space from platform to step up into carriage (approximate only): 250 mm
Height from step to the floor in the carriage: 300 mm

Internal dimensions

Photo showing internal carriage dimensions. Read below for a list of bullet points outlining the dimensions.

List of internal dimensions

Height of carriage door: 1,750 mm
Width of carriage door: 600 mm
Depth of bench seat: 400 mm
Height underneath bench seat: 500 mm
Width from bench seat to wall: 400-450 mm

Assistance Dogs

Companion Card holders

A NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM HALLOWEEN EXPERIENCE | Companions receive a 50% discount off the adult fare. Please note that there are no Concession fares available for the Train of Lights, so their client pays an Adult fare.
BOOKING TICKETS | To book tickets with a Companion Card, please contact our friendly Customer Service Centre team on info@pbr.org.au or (03) 9757 0700 during their opening hours: 9 am - 5 pm Monday - Friday and 9 am - 12 pm Saturday - Sunday. Companion card must be presented at the Ticket Window on the day of travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does everyone in my party need a ticket, even if they don’t want to go on the train?

Do I need to pre-book a ticket for my infant (under 1 year old)?

Do I need to bring my confirmation letter / ticket?

What time should I arrive at Puffing Billy's Lakeside Visitor Centre?

How long is the train ride?

Carriage allocation

Are you limited to just one train ride?

Where do I park?

What if there is inclement weather?

Concession fares

Will there be food available?

Responsible Serving of Alcoholic Beverages

Is the event site accessible for reduced mobility customers?

Yes, the site is wheelchair accessible, and our friendly staff and volunteers can provide special attention to visitors with reduced mobility. We recommend passengers advise our Customer Service team about their requirements via (03) 9757 0700 at the time of booking and/or before your travel.

Please note:

Wheelchair-accessible toilets are located at Lakeside Station, Lakeside Visitor Centre and Gembrook station. A Changing Places accessible adult change facility is available in the Lakeside Visitor Centre.

More about Accessibility can be found here.

Are pets allowed?