Your journey starts at Belgrave station, the headquarters of the Railway. The station is only a short walk from Belgrave Township which has an abundance of shopping and dining options.
Setting out from Belgrave, Puffing Billy passes the southern reaches of the beautiful Sherbrooke Forest, a superb example of rainforest noted for its native 'Mountain Ash' trees, a form of eucalypt and the tallest flowering plant in the world.
Within minutes you will travel over Puffing Billy's most famous landmark - the iconic Trestle Bridge. Make sure you have your camera ready!
Experience the time-honoured tradition of sitting on the carriage sill – a true thrill for young and old!
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FARES & TIMETABLES
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TIME
1 hour each way
ALLOW 3.5 HOURS -
TICKETS
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DIRECTIONS
Your journey continues over the hill, down the valley and into the forest, with eucalyptus leaves (almost) close enough to touch!
After a leisurely 1 hour journey you will arrive at Lakeside station, situated within the picturesque Emerald Lake Park. The park is home to the beautiful Lake Treganowan, Lake Nobelius, gardens, natural bushland, as well as both native and exotic plants, with many fern gullies and open eucalypt forests.
As a visitor to the park you can make use of the many walking trails, paddleboats, picnic tables and shelters and two playgrounds. A model railway is situated close by.
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Belgrave to Lakeside
Journey time | 1 hour
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Time at Lakeside
Approx. 90 minutes | Visit the Lakeside Visitor Centre, have lunch at the Railway Cafe, take a walk in Emerald Lake Park.
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Lakeside to Belgrave
Journey time | 1 hour
The new Puffing Billy Lakeside Visitor Centre is open and features the Railway Café, function spaces, significantly upgraded toilet facilities, retail, food and beverage options and interpretation spaces for school groups and families.
Afterwards, your journey back to Belgrave finishes off a day full of shared memories.
Picnic packs
We have a range of delicious picnic packs available. These are available for pre-order with your train tickets, and can be collected at Lakeside.
Carriage hire
Our exclusive carriage hire offers the opportunity to sit back and relax in our open-side carriages with your loved ones.
COG BIKES Australia Bike Hire
Discovering the Dandenong Ranges just got more fun on two wheels! In partnership with local family-owned and operated bike company, COG BIKES Australia, you can now hire a bike from Puffing Billy Railway's Lakeside Station bike hub!
Whether travelling by train or driving into the precinct on a lovely sunny day, choose from a range of standard trail bikes, e-bikes, balance bikes or children's pedal bikes, and explore the Eastern Dandenong Ranges Trail that runs alongside Puffing Billy between Emerald and Gembrook.
Lunch at the Railway Cafe
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. As a fully licensed venue, our drinks bar is also stocked with a local line-up of beer, wine and cider varieties.
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Other journeys
Belgrave to Gembrook return
1 hr 50 mins each way
Allow 6 hours
Explore Emerald Lake Park and Gembrook and its many eateries.
Belgrave to Menzies Creek return
25 mins each way
Allow 2 hours
Explore Menzies Creek Museum and Little Toot Cafe.
Lakeside to Gembrook return
50 mins each way
Allow 3 hours
Explore Gembrook township and its many eateries.