Melbourne: Puffing Billy Steam Train & Penguin Parade

Steam Train at Dawn, Penguins at Dusk: One Day, Two Worlds

You board the Puffing Billy steam train in the morning, ride through the Dandenong Ranges with your legs hanging over the open carriage, explore Emerald Lake Park on foot, then break for lunch in Melbourne. In the afternoon, you're driven to Phillip Island, walk the Nobbies clifftop boardwalk to spot seals, and watch the little penguins waddle ashore at the Penguin Parade at dusk. Hotel pickup, coach transport, and a live guide are included. The whole day runs from early morning to evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Puffing Billy Railway1h · entry included
2. Dandenong Rangespass by
3. Cape Woolamai30m
4. Nobbies Centre15m
5. Penguin Parade2h · entry included

Puffing Billy and Penguin Parade tour

• Board Puffing Billy steam train in Belgrave
• Ride through Dandenong Ranges
• Cross Monbulk Creek Trestle Bridge
• Explore Emerald Lake Park walking trails
• Visit Visitors Centre and take photos
• Lunch break in Melbourne city centre
• Meet Phillip Island afternoon tour at Immigration Museum
• Travel to Phillip Island
• Stop at Cape Woolamai surf beach
• Enjoy dinner stop in Cowes
• View seal colony at Nobbies Centre
• Watch Penguin Parade at Phillip Island

The experience

The train was running ten minutes late when we pulled up to Belgrave station, and honestly, that's when you know it's real, not some polished tour operation, but an actual heritage railway that's been chugging through the Dandenong Ranges since the early 1900s. The Puffing Billy steam train boards you in open-sided carriages, which means you're sitting in the fresh air with your legs dangling over the edge if you want, watching the fern gullies and mountain ash trees roll past. The Monbulk Creek Trestle Bridge comes up maybe halfway through, and the track narrows as you cross it. There's a moment where you're suspended over the creek and the whole carriage goes quiet. The morning ride takes you to Lakeside, where you get time to walk the trails at Emerald Lake Park or just sit with a coffee and let the quiet settle.

Then you're back in Melbourne for a few hours. The tour builds in a lunch break in the city centre, which sounds like dead time but actually gives you a chance to breathe and grab something proper to eat before the afternoon push to Phillip Island. You meet up again at the Immigration Museum, and the coach takes you south. It's about an hour's drive. The Nobbies Centre sits on a clifftop boardwalk where you can spot the seal colony in the water below, and if you're there in summer, there's a stop at Cape Woolamai beach and a dinner break in Cowes. But the real reason you're here is the Penguin Parade, and it happens at dusk when the little penguins come ashore after feeding all day. They waddle across the beach in groups, heading back to their burrows, and your guide (there's a live one on board, English-speaking, who knows the island) points out the juveniles, the pairs, the ones moving fast because they're hungry. It's not a zoo. It's just penguins doing what they do, and you're standing there watching it happen.

The whole day runs from morning steam train through to evening penguin parade, with hotel pickup included and an air-conditioned coach for the Phillip Island leg. Groups stay under 24 people, so it doesn't feel like you're herding through with two hundred others. One thing to know: no cameras at the Penguin Parade itself (the flash disturbs the birds, and the guides enforce it), so you're watching with your eyes, not through a lens. Large bags and strollers don't come on the train, and the same goes for the parade, so pack light if you're bringing kids.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from selected Melbourne hotels.
• one-way journey on the Puffing Billy steam train through the Dandenong Ranges.
• free time at Emerald Lake Park with walking trails and café.
• lunch break in Melbourne city centre.
• afternoon coach transport to Phillip Island with WiFi on board.
• entry to the Nobbies Centre clifftop boardwalk.
• general admission to the Penguin Parade.
• live English-speaking guide throughout.
• all fees and taxes.
• 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (under 16)

GroupUp to 24

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideSpanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Cantonese, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Russian and Thai

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 19 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Go West Tours

Is this one for you?Best for travellers who want to pack two major Melbourne attractions into one day without arranging separate bookings, transport, or timing. The fixed schedule handles the logistics and the lunch break gives you breathing room between the morning heritage railway and the evening penguin viewing.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 16).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the Puffing Billy steam train ride?

The morning ride is a one-way journey through the Dandenong Ranges to Lakeside, where you have free time to explore Emerald Lake Park or relax at the café before returning to Melbourne.

What time does the Penguin Parade start?

The parade happens at dusk, which varies by season. You'll meet for the afternoon tour at the Immigration Museum in Melbourne and be driven to Phillip Island in time for the evening viewing.

Is photography allowed at the Penguin Parade?

No. Photography of any kind is not permitted at the Penguin Parade to avoid disturbing the penguins with camera flash.

What's included in the tour price?

Hotel pickup, one-way steam train journey, general admission to the Penguin Parade, coach transport with WiFi, a live English-speaking guide, all fees and taxes. Lunch is not included but there's a break in Melbourne city centre to eat.

Can I bring a stroller or large bag on the train?

No. Large bags, strollers, prams, luggage and walkers cannot be brought on board the Puffing Billy train or to the Penguin Parade, so pack light.

How many people are in a typical group?

Groups are kept to a maximum of 24 guests.

Is there free time in Melbourne between the train and the penguin tour?

Yes. After the morning steam train, you have free time in Melbourne's city centre before meeting for the Phillip Island afternoon tour at the Immigration Museum.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are permitted on the tour.