The 15 Best Puffing Billy & Dandenongs Tours

1.Puffing Billy & Healesville Sanctuary Scenic Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,220 reviews · 8 hours · from $162Our pick

Review of Melbourne’s Puffing Billy, Healesville Sanctuary, Emerald Lake, and Yarra Valley Chocolaterie tour, with practical booking tips.

“We enjoyed each step of the trip. Our driver Ron was fantastic. Very friendly with the right amount of sarcastic humour. Just the way we like it. I loved the respectful way that Healesville has been created for our wildlife. I heard many comments that they wish they saw more animals but for me it was a great experience walking around the park and hoping to spot some wildlife the same as if we were out on a bush walk. The puffing Billy and the chocolate place were also a great experience in a truly beautiful part of our amazing country.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Puffing Billy Railway: Heritage Steam Train Journey

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,195 reviews · 2 - 4 hours · from $29Best value

Ride Puffing Billy’s preserved steam train through the Dandenong Ranges, with scenic stops, Lakeside facilities, and the famous dangling-leg tradition.

“excellent well organised train ride, an amazing experience not to be missed, such witty, lovely staff members,”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Puffing Billy and Penguin Parade Combo Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,184 reviews · 12 hours · from $165

Ride Puffing Billy, explore the Nobbies, and watch Phillip Island’s little penguins return ashore on a full-day trip from Melbourne.

“It was Amazing day! Our tour guide is so friendly and helpful also tour mate are awesome:) I joined there by myself but I had a lot of fun!! Thank you for everything!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Puffing Billy Steam Train & Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 640 reviews · 8 hours · from $140

Ride Puffing Billy through the Dandenong Ranges, see koalas and kangaroos at Healesville, and enjoy a full day from Melbourne.

“Our tour guide / driver Gary was super friendly and helpful! We enjoyed the tour so much, both the train ride and the sanctuary are amazing! This was the first time we tried taking a steam train where we could swing our legs off the train, we saw so many great scenery during our train ride. The bird show at the sanctuary was also beautiful, we got to see so many colorful and lovely birds! The highlight of the day was seeing the koalas in person!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Puffing Billy Train & Penguin Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 605 reviews · 12 hours · from $145

Ride Puffing Billy, explore The Nobbies, and watch Phillip Island’s little penguins return to shore on a long but rewarding Melbourne day tour.

“Nathan was amazing! Super knowledgeable and was really friendly. Thank you for making this trip one of our main highlights of Melbourne.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Puffing Billy And Healesville Sanctuary Scenic Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 451 reviews · from $163

Ride Puffing Billy, explore Healesville Sanctuary, stroll Emerald Lake, and sample Yarra Valley chocolate on an 8-hour Melbourne day tour.

“Firstly, our guide Peter was great. Highly professional and informative providing just the right amount of commentary. Puffing Billy was a really fun experience as was the wildlife sanctuary. The Ice cream/chocolate stop was very busy and whilst nice was the weakest part of the day.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Puffing Billy And Phillip Island Penguin Parade Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 351 reviews · from $171

Review of Melbourne’s Puffing Billy and Phillip Island tour, with train views, Nobbies walks, penguins, costs, timing, and practical tips.

“This tour group is utterly hopeless. We tried to get in touch with them throughout the weeks leading up to the tour as they sent us two sets of instructions for pick up. 10:30 and 12:30. We have trails of emails, messages and phone calls froRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Half-Day Puffing Billy Steam Train Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 263 reviews · 6 hours - 1 day · from $126

Ride Puffing Billy through Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges, cross a trestle bridge, and relax at Emerald Lake Park on a well-run half-day tour.

“This was a fantastic trip. The Puffing Billy is such an awesome experience in it's own right, but the day was made better by our guide, Lisa. She was warm, friendly and welcoming and ensured the day ran smoothly, as well as providing tonnes of interesting information about the local area. I cant recommend this experience enough!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Puffing Billy Railway & Rainforest Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 239 reviews · 6 hours · from $107

Ride open carriage Puffing Billy through the Dandenong Ranges, spot cockatoos at Grants Picnic Ground, and explore Lakeside on a six-hour tour.

“Amazing tour guide. Gina is incredible, informative and very friendly. We love our experience here. I traveled with my 80 year old mother and she had such an amazing time. Highly recommended!”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.1 day Puffing Billy Steam Train and Wildlife Tour from Melbourne

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 211 reviews · from $157

Ride Puffing Billy, explore the Dandenong Ranges, and meet Australian wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary on a full-day trip from Melbourne.

“This was such a unique experience with the train and preserve. Got to see kangaroos and many other wildlife.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Puffing Billy Railway & Penguin Parade Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 195 reviews · 12 hours · from $145

Ride Puffing Billy, visit The Nobbies, and watch Phillip Island’s little penguins return to shore on this full-day Melbourne tour.

“The day was packed but very well organised. Our guide was very knowledgeable and knew when to point to see things and he also gave us a great tip on where to sit to see the Penguin Parade best and he was so right.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Puffing Billy Steam Train Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 169 reviews · from $128Top rated

Ride Puffing Billy through the Dandenong Ranges, enjoy open-sided carriages and Emerald Lake Park, with hotel pickup from Melbourne.

“Tour guide was great, really knew his stuff. Very informative and a great day out! My 14 year old wasn’t very keen at first but after we got there she loved it!”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Puffing Billy Penguin Parade Brighton Boxes Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 161 reviews · 1 day · from $140

Review of Melbourne’s Brighton Boxes, Puffing Billy, Nobbies, and Phillip Island Penguin Parade day tour, with tips on price, timing, and value.

“Guide Steven is friendly! This tour is really worth to visit! I love the penguin parade”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Puffing Billy Penguin Parade Winery Chocolaterie All-in-One

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 128 reviews · 13 hours · from $120

Review of Melbourne’s 13-hour tour combining Yarra Valley wine and chocolate, Puffing Billy, optional wildlife, and Phillip Island penguins.

“Shein was an amazing host and tour guide. Long journey but he made comfortable.”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Puffing Billy & Rainforest Tour from Melbourne

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 81 reviews · from $121

Ride Puffing Billy through the Dandenong Ranges, walk rainforest trails, and enjoy an easy half-day escape from Melbourne with return transport.

“The tour guide, Gena, is excellent. She is very informative. Not limited to this activity, her information helps me plan my coming site seeing activities and understand the history and the difficulties of the neighborhood.”

Check availability →Read our full review