DON'T MISS OUT IN SPRING!

We recommend signing up for our e-newsletter, so that you don't miss out when tickets go on sale for the Spring 2024 season of Day Out With Thomas™. Be the first to hear about all of our incredible events, including the family-favourite POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride or Train of Lights, as well as special offers for our excursion trains and new experiences coming to the railway in the future! Subscribe to our e-newsletters here.

We also encourage you to follow @puffingbillyrailway on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with all things Puffing Billy!

BUBBLES, TRAINS, AND FAMILY FUN AWAIT!

DAY OUT WITH THOMAS: BUBBLE TOUR ROLLS INTO TOWN THIS AUTUMN.

The iconic blue engine is back, and this time, he's bringing a burst of bubbly fun to Puffing Billy Railway with the Day Out With Thomas: Bubble Tour!

Join Thomas and friends on one of two bubble-filled weekends – 15-17 March and 22-24 March – where you can meet and mingle with some of your favourite storybook characters along the way! ‘Pop’ on board for a steam train adventure with James and Diesel and enjoy a 20-minute scenic ride as the wheels turn and the whistle blows from Lakeside to Cockatoo. The journey is a bubbling blast that will last for 55 minutes, including a short stop at Cockatoo.

DOWT 2024 Bubble Tour Logo 01

The excitement doesn't end when the train ride does! Make sure to greet Sir Topham Hatt and Thomas as they oversee the bustling activities at the Lakeside Visitor Centre. Dive into creativity at the Bubble Zone, explore the Play Pod, or strike a pose alongside everyone's favourite blue locomotive, Troublesome Truck, or Bulgy Bus for the perfect photo opportunity.

Each young fan will also receive a Day Out With ThomasTM activity booklet and their very own Junior Engineer’s Certificate!

James Ready For Departure At Lakeside Station
  • Event Dates

    MARCH
    15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24

  • LOCATION

    Lakeside Visitor Centre | Emerald Lake Road, Emerald

    Get Directions

Session Times

YOUR DAY AT A GLANCE!

  • TRAIN RIDE WITH JAMES & DIESEL

    Passengers will travel 55-minutes from Puffing Billy Railway’s Lakeside Station to Cockatoo, before returning back at Lakeside to enjoy Thomas & FriendsTM-themed fun activities in and around the Lakeside Visitor Centre. The duration of the train journey includes a short stopover at Cockatoo.

Young Boy Meets Sir Topham Hatt After Boarding The Train Ride With James And Diesel
  • PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

    Photo opportunities with Thomas the Tank Engine, Sir Topham Hatt, Troublesome Truck, Bulgy Bus, Rusty and Dusty outside the Lakeside Visitor Centre! Thomas will be on static display throughout the entire day, allowing our youngest attendees to have plenty of time to meet him.

Family Captures An Iconic Photo With Thomas And Sir Topham Hatt
  • OUTDOOR BUBBLE ZONE AND PLAY POD

    Continue the outdoor fun in the Bubble Zone, with bubble-themed arts and crafts activities. Run off steam at the Play Pod with Coal in the Hole, Mighty Mac's Mosaic Wall and the Thomas and Friends Soft Play Zone - all great for imaginative play! 

A boy is blowing bubbles with a bubble wand made out of red pipe cleaner. The pipe cleaner is made into a heart shape. The boy is wearing a light green t-shirt and beige cap and is looking intently at the wand. Greenery can be seen in the background.
  • ACTIVITY BOOKLET

    Day Out With ThomasTM Activity Passport containing crosswords, colouring in sheets and dot-to-dot activities!

  • Story telling

    Grab a pillow and get comfy as Lady Hatt shares Thomas and FriendsTM short stories;

Outdoor Bubble Zone and Soft Play area
  • FACE PAINTING, AIRBRUSH TATTOOS AND JUNIOR ENGINEER CERTIFICATE

    Get a temporary airbrush tattoo of Thomas and FriendsTM Characters or face paint. Afterwards, teh kids can finish off a day of excitement at Day Out With ThomasTM with the chance for kids to write their name on their own Junior Engineer Certificate.

Young Girl Receives Help From Mum To Write Her Name On Her Junior Engineer Certificate
PB SITTING ON SILLS ICON 01

PLEASE NOTE

No person will be allowed to sit on the carriage sill during Day Out With ThomasTM.

Dining Options

Set on the picturesque grounds of the Emerald Lake Park, overlooking Lake Treganowan is the Lakeside Visitor Centre's family-friendly Railway Café.

Offering a relaxed indoor and outdoor setting surrounded by green rainforest trees and lush ferns, the menu features some of the best seasonal produce and supplies in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges region.

Lakeside Visitor Centre's Railway Cafe, with accessible walkways throughout the centre.

Pre-order Classic Scones and Tea

Classic Scones and Tea is available for pre-order with your Day Out With ThomasTM tickets, and can be collected from the Railway Cafe after your train ride with James and Diesel.

CLASSIC SCONES AND TEA$12.00 per person
Scones with jam and cream.

Please note:

  • Classic Scones and Tea is non-refundable nor transferrable.
  • Bookings for Classic Scones and Tea close at 12 pm on the day prior to travel.
  • Classic Scones and Tea is subject to availability.
  • No alterations can be made to the Classic Scones and Tea.
  • Where selected advertised items cannot be secured or are out of stock, an item close to the original product will be provided.

Pre-order a grazing box

Grazing boxes are available for pre-order with your Day Out With ThomasTM tickets, and can be collected at the ticket booth at the Lakeside Visitor Centre.

Puffing Billy's Classic Beef Burger, served at the Lakeside Visitor Centre's Railway Cafe.

Please note

  • Grazing Boxes are non-refundable nor transferrable.
  • Grazing Boxes are subject to availability.
  • Bookings for Grazing Boxes close 24 hours prior to the day of travel.
  • Where selected advertised items cannot be secured or are out of stock, an item close to the original product will be provided.

Accessibility

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Don't forget to share your photos with us by using @puffingbillyrailway and tagging #DayOutWithThomas

Day Out With ThomasTM © 2024 Gullane (Thomas) Limited. Thomas & FriendsTM Based on The Railway Series by The Reverend W. Awdry. © 2024 Gullane (Thomas) Limited. Thomas the Tank Engine, Thomas & Friends and Day Out With Thomas are trademarks of Gullane (Thomas) Limited. © 2024 Mattel. All Rights Reserved. ® and TM designated U.S. trademarks of Mattel, except as noted.