Take A Ride Into History: Puffing Billy Railroad
__“All aboard! Last call for service to Gembrook. All aboard!” Take a trip on the Puffing Billy Railroad. Enjoy a scenic journey through the grand Dandenong Ranges in southeastern Australia. Step back in history and ride the railroad and experience a mode of transportation on the forefront in the 1800s. Drive a steam locomotive on a steeply graded narrow track that winds through lush mountain landscapes. Solve a murder mystery. Or, just sit back and relax with a glass of wine and catch a glimpse of some members of the local habitat. Puffing Billy Railroad offers all of this and more.
Built in the 1800s, Puffing Billy Railroad was one of four experimental lines through the Dandenong Ranges in an attempt to develop rural areas. In 1955, the Puffing Billy Preservation Society was formed and the railroad is now considered a premier heritage site attracting over 270,000 visitors in 2011. Puffing Billy offers its visitors a wide variety of activities to fulfill desires for special outings.
Built in the 1800s, Puffing Billy Railroad was one of four experimental lines through the Dandenong Ranges in an attempt to develop rural areas. In 1955, the Puffing Billy Preservation Society was formed and the railroad is now considered a premier heritage site attracting over 270,000 visitors in 2011. Puffing Billy offers its visitors a wide variety of activities to fulfill desires for special outings.
_Puffing Billy runs between Belgrave and Gembrook with stops in Lakeside,
Emerald and Menzies Creek. An excursion over the entire line travels
through fern gullies, Sherbrooke Forest, farmlands and across timber
bridges. Enjoy the rush of wind sitting in an open-sided carriage, legs
dangling outside. Marvel at the enormous Mountain Ash trees, vibrant
gardens of local villages, and lush fern gullies. Get up close and
personal with wildlife of the area by taking a walking tour and hand
feeding Crimson Rosella birds and parrots. While the train excursions
appeal to all ages, Puffing Billy has activities with special appeal to
specific age groups.
Younger children’s eyes will light with delight at the opportunity to spend a day with Thomas the Tank Engine when he comes to visit at Puffing Billy Railroad. During November and December, Puffing Billy becomes a Santa express. Children meet Santa who greats them with a gift, enjoy festive treats and ride a train decorated for the holidays. Santa even has sherry, wine or a cordial for adults who ride this merry train.
Adults looking for a quieter atmosphere to enjoy dinner and wine can book a trip on Puffing Billy’s Wine and Dine outing where dinner is a gourmet three-course meal. Add dancing to the agenda by booking the Dance and Dine venue. Dining aboard the trains at lunchtime is also available and picnic areas abound along the route. Entertainment includes a dinner train which is also a backdrop for a murder mystery and a trip that features jazz. Adventure seekers can book an opportunity to drive one of the big locomotives.
Puffing Billy offers tourist friendly rates with winter fares for a complete roundtrip from Belgrave to Gembrook at $59.00 for a single adult and family fare, two adults and up to four children, of $119.00. Journeys that include dining range from $65.00 per adult for the luncheon train to $109.00 for a journey that includes wine tasting and dinner. A day with Thomas costs $23.50 for adults and children four and over.
Puffing Billy is open every day except Christmas. Trains begin running from Belgrave around 10:00 a.m. with returns from Gembrook starting around 2:00 p.m. Trains run at various times depending upon the departure point. The Belgrave station is one hour east of Melbourne by car. Metro trains and day tour companies from Melbourne are another way to reach the destination. Qantas flies to Melbourne several times a day.
Puffing Billy Railroad is the oldest steam locomotive line still running in Australia. Today, the railroad offers visitors a glimpse into the past while enjoying Mother Nature’s splendor and the luxuries of the present. “All Aboard!”
Younger children’s eyes will light with delight at the opportunity to spend a day with Thomas the Tank Engine when he comes to visit at Puffing Billy Railroad. During November and December, Puffing Billy becomes a Santa express. Children meet Santa who greats them with a gift, enjoy festive treats and ride a train decorated for the holidays. Santa even has sherry, wine or a cordial for adults who ride this merry train.
Adults looking for a quieter atmosphere to enjoy dinner and wine can book a trip on Puffing Billy’s Wine and Dine outing where dinner is a gourmet three-course meal. Add dancing to the agenda by booking the Dance and Dine venue. Dining aboard the trains at lunchtime is also available and picnic areas abound along the route. Entertainment includes a dinner train which is also a backdrop for a murder mystery and a trip that features jazz. Adventure seekers can book an opportunity to drive one of the big locomotives.
Puffing Billy offers tourist friendly rates with winter fares for a complete roundtrip from Belgrave to Gembrook at $59.00 for a single adult and family fare, two adults and up to four children, of $119.00. Journeys that include dining range from $65.00 per adult for the luncheon train to $109.00 for a journey that includes wine tasting and dinner. A day with Thomas costs $23.50 for adults and children four and over.
Puffing Billy is open every day except Christmas. Trains begin running from Belgrave around 10:00 a.m. with returns from Gembrook starting around 2:00 p.m. Trains run at various times depending upon the departure point. The Belgrave station is one hour east of Melbourne by car. Metro trains and day tour companies from Melbourne are another way to reach the destination. Qantas flies to Melbourne several times a day.
Puffing Billy Railroad is the oldest steam locomotive line still running in Australia. Today, the railroad offers visitors a glimpse into the past while enjoying Mother Nature’s splendor and the luxuries of the present. “All Aboard!”