Your journey starts 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.
From Lakeside, the journey will take you towards Gembrook through Wright Forest, and over three historic trestle bridges before the landscape opens up to rolling hills and farmland.
Gembrook is a quaint town with ample opportunities for play, walks and exploring.
Afterwards, your journey back to Lakeside finishes off a day full of shared memories.
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Time at Lakeside
OPTIONAL | Explore Lakeside Visitor Centre and Emerald Lake Park
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Lakeside to Gembrook
Journey time | 45 mins
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Time at Gembrook
Approx. 1 hour | Visit J.A.C Russell Park playground, explore Gembrook
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Gembrook to Lakeside
Journey time | 45 mins
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.
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 in Emerald Lake Park!
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 a number of tracks and trails to suit all capabilities and interests.
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 min each way
Allow 6 hours
Explore Emerald Lake Park then Gembrook and its quaint town.
Belgrave to Lakeside return
1 hour each way
Allow 3.5 hours
Explore Emerald Lake Park and its beautiful surrounds.
Belgrave to Menzies Creek return
25 mins each way
Allow 2 hours
Explore Menzies Creek Museum and Little Toot Cafe.