Melbourne · TRAIN EXPERIENCES

15 Train Journeys in Melbourne Worth Booking

21 tours  ·  from $29 a head

Good train journeys fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Puffing Billy Railway: Heritage Steam Train Journey - The Belgrave to Lakeside Ride
Historical Tours, Puffing Billy & the Dandenongs, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences

Puffing Billy Railway: Heritage Steam Train Journey

From Melbourne: Puffing Billy Steam Train & Wildlife Tour - Leaving Melbourne by coach
Puffing Billy & the Dandenongs, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences, Wildlife

From Melbourne: Puffing Billy Steam Train & Wildlife Tour

2.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!”

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From Melbourne: Puffing Billy Train & Penguin Wildlife Tour - Pickup in central Melbourne
Phillip Island & Penguin Parade, Puffing Billy & the Dandenongs, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences, Wildlife

From Melbourne: Puffing Billy Train & Penguin Wildlife Tour

3.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.”

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Melbourne: Half-Day Puffing Billy Steam Train Experience - Belgrave Station and the old railway atmosphere
Half-Day, Puffing Billy & the Dandenongs, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences

Melbourne: Half-Day Puffing Billy Steam Train Experience

4.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!”

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Melbourne: Puffing Billy Railway & Rainforest Tour - Getting out of the city by coach
Puffing Billy & the Dandenongs, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences

Melbourne: Puffing Billy Railway & Rainforest Tour

5.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!”

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1 day Puffing Billy Steam Train and Wildlife Tour from Melbourne - Grants Picnic Ground and the Dandenong Ranges
1-Day Tours, Puffing Billy & the Dandenongs, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences, Wildlife

1 day Puffing Billy Steam Train and Wildlife Tour from Melbourne

Melbourne: Puffing Billy Railway & Penguin Parade Day Tour - Puffing Billy through the Dandenong Ranges
Phillip Island & Penguin Parade, Puffing Billy & the Dandenongs, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences

Melbourne: Puffing Billy Railway & Penguin Parade Day Tour

7.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.”

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Puffing Billy Steam Train Experience - The 7:00 am pickup and ride to Belgrave
Puffing Billy & the Dandenongs, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences

Puffing Billy Steam Train Experience

8.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!”

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Melbourne: Puffing Billy Train and Penguin Island Day Tour - Morning pickup and the long road to Puffing Billy
Phillip Island & Penguin Parade, Puffing Billy & the Dandenongs, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences

Melbourne: Puffing Billy Train and Penguin Island Day Tour

9.Puffing Billy Train and Penguin Island Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 40 reviews · 14 hours · from $113

Ride Puffing Billy, visit the Nobbies, and watch Phillip Island’s little penguins return to shore on a long, well-planned day trip.

“Great day trip, touching on almost 14 hours! Our guide was very informative and told us what would be happening throughout the day, keeping us informed of any changes. He first gave all the information in Mandarin Chinese and then in English. Pros: Great air conditioned coach Great informative guide An amazing selection of landmarks including the Puffing Billy Train, Kuala / kangaroo animal park, Nobbies Cliff Side, Penguin March Long day for your money Cons: The animal park was paid for separately so you either went in or sat on the coach for 90 mins alone No photos were allowed at all in the penguin march which we were…”

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Melbourne: Penguin Parade Tour with Puffing Billy Train Ride - Brighton Beach huts, when the schedule allows
Phillip Island & Penguin Parade, Puffing Billy & the Dandenongs, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences

Melbourne: Penguin Parade Tour with Puffing Billy Train Ride

10.Penguin Parade Tour with Puffing Billy Train Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 34 reviews · 12 hours · from $133

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

“The animal Park visit could have been a lot shorter or ommitted. More time could have been spent at the penguin area for a better experience. rushing dinner was stressful.”

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The Q Train - First Class Private Dining For 2 - Five courses built around local produce
Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Private, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences, Workshops

The Q Train – First Class Private Dining For 2

11.The Q Train – First Class Private Dining For 2

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · from $142

Review the Q Train’s private five-course dinner for two, with paired drinks, Bellarine views, local produce, and practical booking tips.

“The service on the train was superb. We are not wine drinkers but had amazing mock tails made up for each course. Each course was extremely tasty and just the right amount. It was for my husband’s 80th birthday and the Happy BirthdaRead more”

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Puffing Billy Steam Train and Penguins Wildlife Tour - Puffing Billy through the Dandenong Ranges
Phillip Island & Penguin Parade, Puffing Billy & the Dandenongs, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences, Wildlife

Puffing Billy Steam Train and Penguins Wildlife Tour

12.Puffing Billy Steam Train and Penguins Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · from $164

Ride Puffing Billy through the Dandenong Ranges, then watch little penguins return at sunset on a full-day tour from Melbourne.

“We had an amazing day on Puffing Billy and Penguins wildlife tour. Gina, our tour guide was knowledgeable, friendly and helpful the whole day through. Puffing Billy is an amazing experience and watching hundreds of penguins come in from tRead more”

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The Q Train - Q Class Social Dining - What the five-course dinner adds
Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences, Workshops

The Q Train – Q Class Social Dining

13.The Q Train – Q Class Social Dining

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 21 reviews · from $103

Review the Q Train’s five-course dinner from Drysdale to Queenscliff, with local produce, sunset views, heritage rail, and practical booking tips.

“It's a great experience. The steam train was really exciting to see. The food was amazing and luxurious. The view wasn't always that amazing, but still totally worth it if you want to spoil yourself.”

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Melbourne: Puffing Billy Train & Penguin Parade Adventure - Starting in Melbourne and reaching the Dandenong Ranges
Phillip Island & Penguin Parade, Puffing Billy & the Dandenongs, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences

Melbourne: Puffing Billy Train & Penguin Parade Adventure

14.Puffing Billy Train & Penguin Parade Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 18 reviews · 8 - 12 hours · from $130

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

“The train ride was fun and relaxing through the forest, and our driver was really nice, he helped us take photos and made sure everyone was comfortable. The penguins were super cute at the end. A long day but didn’t feel boring.”

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Melbourne: Puffing Billy Train & Penguin Island Excursion - Puffing Billy through the Dandenong Ranges
Phillip Island & Penguin Parade, Puffing Billy & the Dandenongs, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences

Melbourne: Puffing Billy Train & Penguin Island Excursion

15.Puffing Billy Train & Penguin Island Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 17 reviews · 12 hours · from $130

Ride Puffing Billy, explore Phillip Island, visit the Nobbies, and watch little penguins return to shore on a 12-hour trip from Melbourne.

“Our driver + tour guide - David Chen is super great and professional! He brought us with a wonderful trip. David has arranged everything in detail and well guided all the information about Austria and our tour. Really thanks for David's great works!”

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