How to Ride Puffing Billy
Old world travel has always been romantic. When a narrow-gauge track was decommissioned in the 1950’s, Puffing Billy was reinvented as a volunteer-run leisure railway, with steam locomotives taking visitors through the Dandenong Ranges for picnics along the way. On-board, it’s a festive and family-friendly atmosphere, with guests encouraged to sit on the open-air windows with their legs in the breeze. Puffing Billy has become an icon, and a great way to explore nature outside the city.
Length of Trip : There are various departures that range from 40 minutes to the longest stretch of 1 hour and 50 minutes one-way. Factor in an afternoon or morning for your visit.
Cost :
Click here for the latest ticket prices
Best time to go : The train leaves almost every hour starting at 10:30
Wheelchair friendly : The wheelchair ramp width is 75cm
Family friendly : Yes
Where to eat :
Sandwiches and light snacks available at kiosks along the way.
Official Site :
https://puffingbilly.com.au/
Where to Stay :
In the Dandenongs, we spent a lovely night at the peaceful Yering Cottages.
Getting There :
Click here for directions to the station.
Note from Robin :
In early 2018, a traffic accident caused Puffing Billy to temporarily ban dangling your legs out the window. This caused an uproar (a petition with 10,000 signatures quickly gained steam) but as of writing there's no word if the leg dangling tradition - and arguably the root of the train's charm - will continue.
Courtesy Puffing Billy
Courtesy Puffing Billy
Courtesy Puffing Billy
