Puffing Billy Train and Penguin Parade from Melbourne

Two of Australia's most famous sights in a single day

A full-day tour from Melbourne to Phillip Island combines a ride on the Puffing Billy Railway (a heritage steam train operating for over 120 years) with the Penguin Parade, where hundreds of little penguins return ashore at sunset after fishing at sea. The itinerary includes wildlife encounters, scenic stops at Brighton Beach and the western cliffs of Phillip Island, and hotel pickup with a bilingual guide. Depending on your option, you ride the train, the penguin viewing, or both.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Brighton Beach30m
2. Puffing Billy Railway40m · entry included
3. Penguin Parade1h 30m · entry included

Puffing Billy and Penguin Parade Tour

• Visit Brighton Beach huts
• Meet kangaroos and koalas at sanctuary
• Ride Puffing Billy steam train
• Admire ocean views at Phillip Island
• Watch Penguin Parade at sunset

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Melbourne hotel and a drive toward the Dandenong Ranges. Brighton Beach, with its famous colorful huts, is a photo stop if the train schedule allows. If not, you'll visit a scenic lookout or local town instead. From there, you head to a wildlife sanctuary to see kangaroos, wallabies and koalas up close. You can hand-feed some of them and learn about local conservation work.

The Puffing Billy Railway is the centerpiece for those who book the combo option. You board the steam train and ride through lush rainforest, towering eucalyptus and rolling hillsides. The exact section varies by the day's schedule, but the authentic heritage experience is guaranteed. The train has been running for over 120 years and moves at a pace that lets you take in the landscape without rushing.

In late afternoon, you arrive at Phillip Island's western tip to admire the rugged cliffs and ocean views, then settle in for the Penguin Parade at sunset. Hundreds of little penguins return from the sea and walk ashore. You watch from specially designed viewing platforms. The Premium Boardwalk viewing area (used during certain dates) is a standing area near the Penguin Plus entrance along the inland path. The whole tour runs 10 to 12 hours and includes vehicle transport, admission to both attractions (depending on your option), driver tips, tolls, parking and fuel.

What’s included

• Comfortable vehicle transport.
• admission to the Puffing Billy Train Ride (depending on your option).
• admission to the Penguin Parade viewing platform (depending on your option).
• bilingual professional driver and guide service.
• driver tips.
• tolls, parking and fuel costs.

Options for this experience

2 options

Penguin Parade (without the train ride)Guide in English or Chinese · 10:00Penguin Parade without the train ride: Go to Brighton Beach, see the Penguin Parade and visit a wildlife park (at your own expense), but skip the Puffing Billy train. Pickup is included

Train and Penguin comboGuide in English or Chinese · 10:00Pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (17 to 80 years) · Child (4 to 16 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 28

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 6 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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Bus and Coach Charter

Is this one for you?Book the Train + Penguin Combo if you want both of Australia's most famous heritage attractions in one trip. Choose Penguin Parade alone if you prefer to focus on the wildlife finale and have a shorter day. The full-day itinerary with both stops is built around the train and penguin schedules, so the timing is set to fit both experiences without backtracking.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 16 years); Infant (under 4).

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.

Can I do just the Penguin Parade without the Puffing Billy train?

Yes. The tour offers two options at checkout: Penguin Parade alone, or the Train + Penguin Combo. On certain dates in early October, the train runs only on specific days, so the Penguin Parade option is available separately.

What time does the Penguin Parade start?

The parade happens at sunset, so the exact time shifts with the season. Your guide will time the day's stops so you arrive at Phillip Island with time to settle into the viewing platform before the penguins return.

Will I see the penguins cross the beach?

The Premium Boardwalk viewing area is a standing section near the Penguin Plus entrance positioned along the inland path where the penguins walk ashore. Beach-crossing views are not available from this vantage point, but you watch the penguins arrive and move through the reserve.

What animals can I see at the wildlife sanctuary?

The sanctuary has kangaroos, wallabies and koalas. You can hand-feed some of the animals and learn about the conservation work happening on-site.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, pickup from your Melbourne hotel is included in the tour price, and your bilingual guide speaks English and Chinese.