Puffing Billy day trip: Dandenong Ranges made simple

A Puffing Billy day trip makes the Dandenong Ranges easy to explore from Melbourne. You ride a century-old steam train from Belgrave through forest and farmland, stop where you like, and are home for dinner.

This guide covers how to reach Belgrave, the line and its stops, a simple plan for the day and a few tips for the weather and the fire season.

What Puffing Billy is

Puffing Billy is a preserved steam railway in the hills east of Melbourne. It was built at the turn of the century and is the major survivor of four experimental narrow gauge lines used to open up farming areas in the early 1900s.

A landslide closed the line in 1953. Lakeside was the end of the line for years, and trains reached Gembrook again in 1998. Today the train runs from Belgrave to Gembrook, and the railway says it runs every day except Christmas Day. More than 900 volunteers help keep it going, according to the railway.

Sources for this section: Puffing Billy Railway, About Puffing Billy and The Journey.

Getting to Belgrave

Belgrave station is about 40 km, or one hour, east of Melbourne by car. By public transport, take the Belgrave line from the city. The railway puts the trip at about 70 minutes. At Belgrave, follow the blue line painted on the platform to the Puffing Billy station.

Coach tour companies such as AAT Kings, Australian Pacific Tours, Gray Line and Great Sights also run day trips from the city to the railway. If you drive, arrive early. The railway asks passengers to arrive at least 30 minutes before the train leaves on weekdays, and at least 45 minutes before on weekends and school holidays. Groups and families should be ready to board 30 minutes before departure.

Sources for this section: Puffing Billy Railway, Public Transport, Day Tour Companies and Time Tables.

The line and its stops

The line climbs and dips through the hills. Belgrave sits at about 228 m above sea level, and the line rises to the highest point near Gembrook. These are the stops that matter for a day out.

• Belgrave: the start, with the engine shed and workshop to the left as you leave. The town is a short walk away.
• Menzies Creek: the first stop, 6 km from Belgrave. Trains heading in opposite directions often pass here. A steam museum stands next to the station, but the railway says it is closed for redevelopment.
• Emerald: 9.7 km from Belgrave, with shops, cafes and bakeries. Its station building is the only original one left intact on the line.
• Lakeside: 13.2 km from Belgrave, inside Emerald Lake Park. It has picnic tables, barbecues, a playground and paddle boats for hire.
• Gembrook: the end of the line. Trains usually stop for an hour or more so you can explore the town.

Look out for the timber trestle bridge over Monbulk Creek soon after Belgrave. It has 15 spans, is 91 m long and is classified by the National Trust of Victoria. The car park below is a popular place to photograph the train.

Sources for this section: Puffing Billy Railway, The Journey.

A simple plan for the day

You can choose a short ride or a long one. Belgrave to Lakeside takes about an hour each way, or about three hours return with an hour at the lake. Belgrave to Gembrook takes about 1 hour 50 minutes each way, or about 5.5 hours return with around two hours in Gembrook. Check the current timetable for departure times, because they change with the season.

1. Morning: reach Belgrave early and buy tickets at the station, because the railway says its daily excursion trains cannot be pre-booked by individuals. Wander through the town while you wait.
2. Midday: ride to Lakeside. Pack a picnic or buy lunch from the cafe, then walk around the lake.
3. Afternoon: for a longer day, ride on to Gembrook and use the stop to see the town. For a shorter day, hop off at Emerald for the shops and the Emerald Market, held on the third Sunday of each month.
4. Late afternoon: ride back to Belgrave and head home.

On the fourth Sunday of each month, a trip to Gembrook can be combined with a visit to the Gembrook market. No toilets are aboard the carriages, but you will find them at each main station. Only folding or narrow prams fit through the carriage doors.

Sources for this section: Puffing Billy Railway, The Journey, Book Online, Frequently Asked Questions and Time Tables.

Weather and fire season

The hills are cooler than the city and can change fast, so bring a light jacket.

In summer, take fire danger seriously. The railway says its steam locomotives do not run on days of Total Fire Ban in the Central zone of Victoria. On those days a diesel locomotive runs a reduced timetable. Check the Country Fire Authority or Bureau of Meteorology before you leave. Locomotives and events can change or be cancelled without notice.

This is general travel information. Check the railway's website for current times, fares and conditions before you go.

If you like a hills day out, see our Adelaide Hills day trip or our Blue Mountains day trip. For what to carry on a longer outing, see the day walk packing list.

Sources for this section: Puffing Billy Railway, Time Tables.

Sources

1. Puffing Billy Railway, About Puffing Billy: puffingbilly.com.au
2. Puffing Billy Railway, The Journey: puffingbilly.com.au
3. Puffing Billy Railway, Public Transport: puffingbilly.com.au
4. Puffing Billy Railway, Day Tour Companies: puffingbilly.com.au
5. Puffing Billy Railway, Book Online: puffingbilly.com.au
6. Puffing Billy Railway, Frequently Asked Questions: puffingbilly.com.au
7. Puffing Billy Railway, Time Tables: puffingbilly.com.au