Can you do a steam train ride in Melbourne?

You can’t do a steam train ride in Melbourne, but you can do one very close by on the Puffing Billy railway through the Dandenong Ranges. This Dandenong Ranges steam train costs $61 for the standard Belgrave to Lakeside return journey.

To skip the explanation and buy Puffing Billy steam train tickets, head here. For a day tour from Melbourne that includes Puffing Billy and wildlife at the Healesville Sanctuary, step this way.

Steam train rides near Melbourne

Steam train rides aren’t immediately what you associate with Melbourne – a happily modern city. As far as vintage transport goes, the tourist-focused City Circle Tram is about as good as it gets within the city itself.

However, it is possible to go on a steam train ride near Melbourne – with the Puffing Billy steam train in the Dandenong Ranges.

👇 7 great day trips while you’re in Melbourne 👇

Great Ocean Road tour – with koalas 🐨.
Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary and Phillip Island tour – with penguins 🐧.
Yarra Valley wine tour – with gin, cider and cheese 🍷.
Grampians National Park tour – with bushwalks and LOADS of kangaroos 🦘.
Mornington Peninsula tour – with hot springs bathing 🛀.
Wilsons Promontory tour – with all manner of native wildlife 🦘🐨.
Dandenong Ranges steam train ride – plus wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary and chocolate-tasting in the Yarra Valley.

Why not BROWSE THE BEST DEALS – with instant confirmation and hassle-free, mobile-friendly tickets?

Puffing Billy train from Belgrave to Lakeside

The Puffing Billy steam train uses a century old locomotive to take the train along a particularly scenic stretch of track. It passes over wooden trestle bridges, past towering mountain ash trees and through lush fern gullies.

The standard Dandenong Ranges steam train trip is from Belgrave to Lakeside, and a one way journey takes around 50 minutes. Once at Lakeside, there’s time to explore the picnic areas, walking trails and paddleboats of Emerald Lake Park before taking the return trip to Belgrave.

Puffing Billy ticket costs

The standard Belgrave to Lakeside return trip on the Puffing Billy steam train costs $61. Advance booking is essential, and tickets can be bought online.

14 fantastic experiences that make the most of your free time in Melbourne

Get the very best views – on a hot air balloon flight over the city.
See the changing colours of the river – on a sunset kayaking tour – with dinner. (Highly recommended ✅)
Feast and see the sights at the same time – on a four course dinner cruise along the Yarra River.
A genuinely excellent street art tour, led by prominent street artists. (Highly recommended ✅)
The also superb Aboriginal heritage, plants and bush food tour in the Botanic Gardens. (💲 Great value 💲)
Best of Melbourne bike tour – you can see more on two wheels than walking.
Hidden laneways bar crawl OR foodie discovery tour OR chocolate and dessert tour.
Combo ticket for Australian Sports Museum and MCG tour.
Hassle-dodging advance tickets for the Melbourne Skydeck, Melbourne Zoo, the Ice Bar (with cocktails) and Sea Life Aquarium.

Melbourne to Belgrave Station

The easiest way to get to Belgrave Station is on the Belgrave Metro Line from central Melbourne. Belgrave Station is a two minute walk from the separate Puffing Billy station in Belgrave.

If coming by car, it’s a 46km drive to the Puffing Billy station. Traffic permitting, that drive should take around 46 minutes. There is no parking available at the Puffing Billy station, but there is elsewhere in Belgrave.

How to do Melbourne IN STYLE

If there’s a special occasion while you’re in Melbourne, consider splashing out on these memory-making experiences…

An indulgent Yarra Valley food and wine tour – with lunch at Yering Station.
A sunrise hot air balloon flight across the city – followed by a champagne breakfast.
See the city by helicopter.
A private Great Ocean Road tour – with an early start to beat the crowds.
Tandem skydive from 14,000ft – and land on the beach.

Puffing Billy tours from Melbourne

If you’re short on time, and want to fit in more experiences around Melbourne, the smart way to do the Puffing Billy steam train experience is as part of a day tour.

Wine Hop and Coastal Tours runs a day tour from Melbourne than includes a ride on Puffing Billy, Emerald Lake Park, a wildlife-packed visit to the Healesville Sanctuary and chocolate tasting at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie.

These Puffing Billy day tours from Melbourne cost $196 per person. Bookings with low hassle, mobile-friendly tickets can be made online.

All prices are correct at the time of writing, but subject to change in the future.