Puffing Billy Steam Train & Phillip Island Penguin Parade: Full-Day Scenic Tour from Melbourne CBD

Embark on a full-day scenic tour from Melbourne CBD to experience the Puffing Billy Steam Train and witness the magical Penguin Parade at Phillip Island. Book now!

Duration: 11 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Puffing Billy Railway Lakeside Visitor Centre - Puffing Billy and Lunch
    Ride Puffing Billy Emerald Lake Park to Belgrave. Enjoy this iconic steam train ride through the glorious Dandenong Ranges. One of the most popular tourist destinations in Victoria. You will have the opportunity to purchase your own lunch at the picturesque Emerald Lake. Time…
What's Included
  • Entry to ride Puffing Billy (Belgrave to Emerald Lake)
  • Entry to Phillip Island Penguin Parade
  • Entry to Emerald Lake
  • Entry to The Nobbies
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Guide
What's Not Included
  • Bottled water
Additional Information

Embark on this full-day tour with a comfortable air-conditioned ride from a readily accessible location in Melbourne CBD. Begin your journey with a stop at the scenic Emerald Lake, nestled in the stunning Dandenong Ranges, where you can take a tranquil walk around and buy your lunch. Next, get ready to board the renowned Puffing Billy Steam Train that…

Location
Puffing Billy Railway Lakeside Visitor Centre
Emerald Lake Road
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.5
(318 Ratings)
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Keith_f
Nov 15, 2025
Long day… But well worth the wait.. - It was a long day, but worth it.. Puffing Billy was great fun. We then travelled another 1 1/2 hours to Phillip Island to see the Penguins… They were awesome and well worth the wait. A long day, but brilliant experience!
Review provided by Viator
Matthew_o
Nov 14, 2025
Good day out - Nice and laid back atmosphere with lots of sights and experiences that will last a lifetime. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a great time
Review provided by Viator
Sharon
Nov 12, 2025
Fantastic day - Wow what a fantastic day. Terry our guide was so informative, he helped take pictures during the day, nothing was any trouble. Puffing billy was an incredible experience. The penguin parade was so moving and wonderful to witness.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cynthia_w
Nov 10, 2025
It was very informative... - It was very informative and fun! Matt was an excellent tour guide - very insightful, considerate and went out of his way for everyones enjoyment and participation. We saw a lot of animals in their environment thanks to Matt!
Review provided by Viator
Renee_g
Oct 29, 2025
Puffin Billy/Phillip Island penguins - Terry, our tour guide, was absolutely fantastic from start to finish — so knowledgeable, friendly, and made the whole day run smoothly. It was honestly the best tour I’ve been on! We managed to see Puffing Billy and the penguins all in one day, and Terry made it an absolute breeze. Highly recommend! 🌟 Tammy & Renee from the Gold Coast
Review provided by Viator
Elisabeththor_s
Oct 22, 2025
A fun day - From the time we were picked up with guide Lorraine it was a very interesting and fun day. The Puffing Billy train raid was like going back in time and the hour went by fast. On the drive to Phillip Island Lorraine told us a lot about the Island and the animals living there and of course about the penguins. Before we saw the penguin parade we drove around and got to see wallabies, geese and we were lucky enough to see a penguin in his burrow. The penguin parade was very interesting, seeing the penguins in real life.
Review provided by Viator
Jiajun_y
Oct 22, 2025
Took on Puffing Billy and... - Took on Puffing Billy and Phillip Island Penguin Parade Bus Tour. Fabulous day trip. Terry commentary was informative and keep us engaged all the time tho some were dozing off. Haha.. highly recommended.
Review provided by Viator
Sarah_k
Oct 27, 2025
Frustrating at times. - Trip was fine, but guide liked to chat a bit too much at the wrong time. So, when informing us of Weare was good to eat spent goid 15/20mins, could have been relayed so much quicker so once we go to eat, had more time to actually eat. Some people were still waiting for their food. Likewise, waffled about the best place to go to see the Penquins, when we could all see it getting filled up. Once tickets brought, also started talking about the resturant etc. not just leave time, when we just wanted to go and get to a viewing area.
Review provided by Viator
X7922usjuliee
Oct 26, 2025
Viator Pfiinung Billy railway and Penquin Parade Bus Tour experience -25/10/2025 - We went as a family of 3 adults and one child aged 2 years old on the Puffing Billy train and Phillip Island Penguin Parade on 26/10/2025. The trip driver and guide was Ricky Lee. He was friendly enough, and communicated to passengers in English and Mandarin. That's where the positive feedback ends. * There was no real itinerary shared with group. My daughter had yo ask what time we were seeing the Penguins? * We were taken to destination without any explanation or guidance as to what the stop o the bus tour was about? Its significance? Many passengers including myself and family did not get off the bus at all. * The ticket price included an Indian Meal with dietary requirements- I am Vegan. INSTEAD we were taken to McDonalds at a local truckstop, given 40 minutes to purchase and eat food. There wre no options for me as a vegan. I resorted to buying a drink and piece of fruit from a shop on site. * We were walked a distance, up a steep incline back to the tour bus after Puffinf Billy rail experience. There was no former discussion about mobility needs or potential difficulties I.e., Having to carry a 2 year d up an incline over a distance talking approx 5 minutes to walk. I have a longterm condition and this is classed as a disability. This impacted negatively on that. * The driver asked and presumptively expected a 5 dollar tip of all passengers prior to receiving the tickets for the Penguin Parade. This is not acceptable and should be an expectation. This was an overall negative, disorganised and disappointing experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jonathan_f
Oct 23, 2025
Long Day for little content - Long Day; poorly timed; not much to see on Puffing Billy; meal stops were unnecessarily short; penguin viewing is very short; no pictures allowed, I personally found the bus very uncomfortable, may not be the case for everyone.
Review provided by Viator
From $156
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).