The 15 Best Steam Train Rides in Australia

1.Puffing Billy Railway: Heritage Steam Train Journey

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,195 reviews · 2 - 4 hours · from $29Our pick

Ride Puffing Billy through Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges, with steam, forest views, Lakeside Park, and practical tips for a smooth visit.

“We had a wonderful time riding on Puffing Billy. The scenery in the Dandenong region is stunning. The volunteer staff were very efficient and great fun. I travelled with my adult granddaughters and we all had an amazing time. At the age of 74 it’s the first time I have travelled on a train, sitting with my legs dangling over the side!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Puffing Billy Steam Train & Wildlife Tour

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

Review of Melbourne’s Puffing Billy and Healesville tour, with train tips, wildlife highlights, timing, transport, price, and practical advice.

“Mark our guide was superb, punctual and very friendly. Gave very clear information and told us about the local areas we were going through on the way. The Sanctuary Park was fantastic and then the ultimate experience at the end was the Puffing Billy Steam Train. Would highly recommend this for anyone travelling to Melbourne.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Puffing Billy Train & Penguin Wildlife Tour

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

Ride Puffing Billy, tour The Nobbies, and watch Phillip Island’s little penguins return at sunset on this full-day trip from Melbourne.

“We had a great day. Our guide Alan looked after us well and made the whole day run smoothly. We really enjoyed the whole experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Half-Day Puffing Billy Steam Train Experience

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

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

“Fabulous experience on the Puffing Billy train! Our guide Jools (and her koala Gumnut) were amazing, nothing was too much trouble and her communications were brilliant. She even went out of her way to find kangaroos on the way home!! If you do one trip, make it this one 😍”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Puffing Billy Railway & Rainforest Tour

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

Ride Puffing Billy through the Dandenong Ranges, spot native birds, explore Grants Picnic Ground, and enjoy a scenic half-day escape from Melbourne.

“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

6.1 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.

“It was a very enjoyable tour. We first spent our time in Healesville Santuary. What I liked about the place is that animals are living in enclosures which are similar to their natural habitat. The Puffing Billy is one for the books!”

Check availability →Read our full review

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 ashore on a full-day trip from Melbourne.

“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

8.Puffing Billy Steam Train Experience

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

Ride Puffing Billy through the Dandenong Ranges, enjoy Emerald Lake Park, and return to Melbourne with hotel pickup on this half-day tour.

“Fun day enjoying a panoramic drive thru Melbourne country side to visit the historic Puffin Billy train. The approximately 1 hour ride in the restored authentic train cars was exciting and joyful for kids and children alike. Yes, as shown in the promRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Puffing Billy Train and Penguin Island Day Tour

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

Ride Puffing Billy, visit Maru and the Nobbies, then watch Phillip Island’s little penguins return at dusk.

“Our tour guide, Evan Wu, was responsible and had a great sense of humor. The whole trip was well-organized and very enjoyable. We watched the amazing penguin parade and rode the exciting and scenic Puffing Billy Railway.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Penguin Parade Tour with Puffing Billy Train Ride

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

Ride Puffing Billy, visit Brighton Beach and the Nobbies, then watch Phillip Island’s little penguins return at dusk.

“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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.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 home 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”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.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 on a long but memorable Melbourne day trip.

“Lots of activities through out the day, which was nice. However, it was a very high tempo so it was hard to enjoy the stops as we had to rush through them a bit. It said the Puffing Billy would've been approx 45 minutes but it was over after 20 minutes, which felt a bit like we didn't get what we were promised. Would've loved to be able to stay longer at the penguin parade stop, since the penguins were a bit late that evening so we had to leave in the middle of their arrival. One thing that felt a bit weird was the Maru Koala and Animal Park,…”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Puffing Billy Train & Penguin Island Excursion

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

Ride Puffing Billy, see Phillip Island’s penguins and enjoy coastal views on this long Melbourne day trip with bilingual guides.

“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!”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Puffing Billy Train and Phillip Island Penguin Parade Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 17 reviews · from $105

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

“The Puffing Billy ride through the forest for an hour was great. Even the weather was very cold and raining but we all enjoyed on board.”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Puffing Billy Train & Healesville & Winery Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 7 reviews

Ride Puffing Billy, meet koalas at Healesville, visit Brighton Beach, and taste Yarra Valley wines on a full-day trip from Melbourne.

“I highly recommend to double check the pick up location if joining this tour to prevent unnecessary conflict with tour guide: We were noticed to change the pick up point a day upon our tour from a walking distance to ~15min vehicle travel. Yet, another parties were picked up in our original spot. We enquired our tour guide, Devin about the new arrangement and he repeatedly insisted that was the instruction he received in a considerably unprofessional manner. We understand mistake could occur but an inappropriate response wouldn’t solve any problem but deliver negative impressions. In the end of the tour, Devin finally apologised a bit more sincerely, he suggested…”

Check availability →Read our full review