Puffing Billy & Rainforest Tour from Melbourne

Recommended by 90% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Melbourne, Australia

High interest

Booked 5+ times today.

6 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.7

· Josephine_B ·

May 2026

It was absolutely worth it. Our tour guide, Nathan was an awesome bloke. Friendly and quite knowledgeable on the area. The mini bus was comfortable, neat and tidy. Loved the small hike st the beginning before riding the train. Train ride was great! Did this nearing winter and the air was crisp - love the views! Would definitely recommend for anyone planning to do something in Melbourne. Shouldn't miss this!

· Cathymberes ·

Jun 2026

We were fortunate to have great weather, cool and clear. This made for nice photos. Van picked up and dropped off on time and driver/guide Margaret was cheerful and informative. Lunch in the café was better than expected.

Explore our promoted experiences

Melbourne Sports Experience + MCG Tour Combo

Melbourne, Victoria

5.0

(150)

Melbourne Sports Experience + MCG Tour Combo

from $85

Sensory Private Melbourne Laneways & Foodie Walking Tour

Melbourne, Victoria

5.0

(11)

Sensory Private Melbourne Laneways & Foodie Walking Tour

from $135

Price varies by group size

Melbourne, Victoria

Phillip Island Heritage Farm, Sheepdog Show & Penguin Parade

from $184

Viator earns higher commissions on experiences featured here

Overview

See a side of Melbourne that way too many tourists don’t get to see, and immerse yourself in a side of Australia’s history that you don’t want to miss. Ride the Puffing Billy Railway, which first opened back in 1900, with your legs dangling over the open carriages and soak up the lush rainforest views that you don’t get anywhere else.

Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife like birds
Explore the Lakeside Visitor Center to learn more about the railway
Let a driver handle the traffic to and from Melbourne city
Your guide knows more about the local area than you’d ever learn alone

What's Included

1 hour train journey on Puffing Billy
Return transfers to/from Melbourne in modern vehicle
Friendly & informative guide

Lunch

Lunch is available to purchase from a local cafe
Coffee and/or Tea

Beverages are available to purchase from a local cafe

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Your pickup time may differ from the time shown on your voucher. Explore Australia Tours will contact you via email shortly after booking to confirm your exact pickup time. Pickup locations are selected at the time of booking: 7:25am – Mercure Melbourne Southbank, 9 Riverside Quay, Southbank 7:35am – Regent Theatre, 191 Collins Street, Melbourne 7:45am – Her Majesty's Theatre, 219 Exhibition Street, Melbourne 8:00am - Mail Exchange Hotel, 688 Bourke Street, Melbourne All tours are conducted in English. Guests can access pre-recorded audio and written tour information in 16 languages by downloading the free Explore Australia Language Translation App from Google Play or the App Store prior to departure. Your guide will provide a code on the day to unlock the content. Please bring your own headphones. Tours operate rain or shine. Estimated return time for the Puffing Billy & Rainforest is between 13:30 and 14:00.

Operating hours
.8:00 am

Itinerary

Grants Picnic Ground

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Puffing Billy Railway

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Puffing Billy Railway

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Puffing Billy Railway Lakeside Visitor Centre

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Melbourne

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation

Infant seats available
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 27 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.7

based on 139 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Sort by: Most insightful

Magnificent.

Edna_B, Jul 2026

Make sure you book it online as it always sold out. Puffing Billy train is very nice experience, I will definitely come back again.

Amazing guide in Nathan,...

Leo_L, Jul 2026

Amazing guide in Nathan, very friendly and took us on some lovely walks prior to the journey. Definitely an experience I will never forget. Thank you 🙏

Amazing tour

Nichelle_B, Jul 2026

The tour guide was amazing. We had some really good views. It was very educational. I would highly recommend the tour guy that we had. He was amazing.

Definitely worth getting...

Jacob_S, Jul 2026

Definitely worth getting this tour. Having a driver is great, and there was enough time to enjoy a meal, go through the gift shop, and walk through the rainforest. We had Lachlan as our tour guide and he was so good. From the very beginning he was super friendly getting us all on the bus, and he had lots of cool stories and interesting facts to tell us. Also, he was super clear with instructions about where to go.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Hi Jacob, Thanks for sharing your experience. I will pass this onto Lachy. He is a great freindly tour guide and deserves the amazing feedback. Glad to hear your had time to take it all in and enjoy the Puffing Billy Train as well. Thanks Explore Australia Tours Team

Great experience even on...

Annie_J, Jul 2026

Great experience even on a cold Melbourne day! Lochie the tour guide was friendly, knowledgeable and the day ran really smoothly.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you so much 🌟🚂 We are really glad you enjoyed the Puffing Billy & Rainforest Tour, even on a chilly Melbourne day 😊 Lachie will be so happy to hear your kind words about his friendly and knowledgeable guiding. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back again soon! 💜

Great Melbourne adventure

Elena_S, Jul 2026

Great experience! Tour guide was amazing, the scenery was incredible and overall had lots of fun with everybody

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you so much for your lovely feedback 🌟🚂 We are really glad you had a great time on the Puffing Billy & Rainforest Tour 😊 It is wonderful to hear you enjoyed the scenery, had fun throughout the day, and that your guide helped make the experience special. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to see you again soon! 💜

Good day out of the city.

Cathymberes, Jun 2026

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thank you so much 🌟 We are really glad you enjoyed the Puffing Billy Railway & Rainforest Tour 😊 It is wonderful to hear you had a pleasant day out of the city, enjoyed the scenic views, and found everything well organised, including your guide and transport 💜 We truly appreciate your kind feedback and hope to see you again soon!

Puffing train experience!

Terrell_J, Jun 2026

Amazing experience! Fun time! Staff was great atmosphere was amazing. People waved in excitement as we cruised through the town. Must see!

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thank you so much 🌟🚂 We are really glad you had an amazing experience on the Puffing Billy & Rainforest Tour 😊 It is wonderful to hear you enjoyed the fun atmosphere, great staff, and the excitement from people waving along the journey 💜 We truly appreciate your kind feedback and hope to see you again soon!

It is not the rain forest...

Al_C, Jun 2026

It is not the rain forest feeling I thought I would experience with lots of animals. Train is cool but basically in people’s backyards.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thank you for your feedback 🌿 We are glad you experienced the Puffing Billy & Rainforest Tour and enjoyed the train journey 🚂 We are sorry to hear the experience did not fully match your expectations of a rainforest setting with wildlife. Grants Picnic Ground is a bird-focused area, where guests can often see native species such as lyrebirds, Crimson Rosellas and Rainbow Lorikeets. As these are wild animals, sightings can vary on the day. The Puffing Billy railway itself travels through a mix of forested areas and local residential sections, offering a scenic journey through the Dandenong Ranges rather than a remote wilderness rainforest experience. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts, as feedback like yours helps future guests know what to expect and helps us continue to improve 💜

Thoroughly enjoyed...

Karen_L, Jun 2026

Thoroughly enjoyed Puffing Billy and the tour and our guide Margaret was knowledgeable and funny . Definitely would do that tour again 😊

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thank you so much 🌟🚂 We are really glad you thoroughly enjoyed the Puffing Billy & Rainforest Tour 😊 It is wonderful to hear Margaret made the day even better with her knowledge and humour 💜 We truly appreciate your kind feedback and would love to welcome you again in the future!

Pick up and drop off from the CBD

Gillian_W, Jun 2026

This tour is exactly what i needed as a solo travel: tickets to puffing billy train ride as well as pick up and drop off services from the CBD. Guide was informative and extremely helpful too

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Hi Gillian, Thanks for the great review. Glad to hear you enjoyed your tour and the hassle free day that came along with it. I will pass your kids words onto your guide. Enjoy the rest of your travels. The Explore Australia Tours Team.

It was an amazing...

Jessica_L, May 2026

It was an amazing experience. Highly recommended! Dangling my legs on the Puffing Billy was definitely one of my most memorable moments.

Response from Host, May 2026

Thank you so much for your lovely feedback 🌟🚂 We are thrilled to hear you had such an amazing experience on the Puffing Billy & Rainforest Tour 😊 Having your legs dangling from the Puffing Billy is certainly a memorable and iconic experience! 💜 We truly appreciate your recommendation and are so glad you enjoyed your day.

Nice day activity

Nicole_M, May 2026

It was nice to visit the beautiful region and the train was a unique experience. Nice for adults but I think a very fun activity for children.

Response from Host, May 2026

Thank you so much for your feedback 🌟🚂 We are glad you enjoyed visiting the beautiful region and experiencing the unique Puffing Billy train ride 😊 It is wonderful to hear you found it enjoyable, and we agree it is especially exciting for children 💜 We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience!

Very well organised by...

Lionel_C, May 2026

Very well organised by Explore Australia. Pick up and the tour was on time. The driver was very friendly and knowledgeable.

Response from Host, May 2026

Hi Lionel, Thanks for the 5 star review. Glad to hear the guide was knowledgeable and freindly. We love the Puffing Billy train such a nice view as well. Thanks for traveling with Explore Australia Tours. Thanks Marnie

Awesome ride!

Josephine_B, May 2026

Response from Host, May 2026

Hi Josephine, Thanks for the 5 Star review. Sounds like you had a great time on the tour. The views from the Puffing Billy are spectacular. I will pass this onto Nathan, he will love to hear this great feedback. Thanks for traveling with Explore Australia Tours.

Very nice experience :)

Kiara_I, May 2026

Our guide Matt was very knowledgeable and accommodated to everyone’s vibes- if you wanted to chat you could, but you could also relax in silence which was nice. He also communicated very clearly about the schedule and places we were going, and he still gave us an hour to explore after the Puffing Billy even though the boarding was delayed. Matt also got some really nice videos of the group on the train, so that was a very nice bonus and showed real professional care. The experience on the Puffing Billy was probably the highlight of our trip, the views were very pretty and the experience was unique. I would recommend having some wriggle time for any plans you might make after the guide, as in our experience, the Puffing Billy was almost an hour delayed due to a safety concern, although typically you wouldn’t have to wait that long. The staff at the Puffing Billy communicated very clearly and were very polite.

Response from Host, May 2026

Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback 🌟🚂 We are thrilled to hear the Puffing Billy & Rainforest Tour was one of the highlights of your trip 😊 Matt will be so happy to hear your kind words about his communication, care, and professionalism, especially capturing those special train videos 📸💜 We are also glad you enjoyed the unique Puffing Billy experience and beautiful scenery. Thank you for sharing your helpful advice for future travellers as well!

Wow factor awesome day out

sue_u, May 2026

This tour I would recommend if travelling with children, great experience I had with my grandson . I enjoyed it as well being a nanna.

Response from Host, May 2026

Thank you so much! 🌟🚂 We are thrilled you had such an awesome day on the Puffing Billy & Rainforest Tour. It is wonderful to hear you and your grandson enjoyed the experience together, those shared moments are what make it so special 😊 We really appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again soon 💜

Must go!

Keegan_M, May 2026

The was an awesome tour! Matt was our guide. He was on time for his pick up from an easy pick up location. Comfortable ride that took about an hour. Then got us to the train easily. The rain forest walk was great. Matt took videos of us on the train and shared them with us. He was very knowledgeable younger guy. It’s nice to go on a tour and not have someone old and boring. Also Matt explained the timeline and it was accurate. Gave great heads up when restrooms would be available. Highly recommend! Matt is the best!

Response from Host, May 2026

Thank you so much for the amazing review! 🌿🚂 We are thrilled you had such an awesome time on the Puffing Billy & Rainforest Tour with Matt. He will love hearing your kind words! Great to know you enjoyed the rainforest walk, smooth itinerary, and the extra videos he captured for you 🎥✨ Thanks again for the recommendation, and we hope to see you on another adventure soon 😊

A great day out

Dawn_M, Apr 2026

This was a great day out, first walking in a rainforest and then an hour on the Puffing Billy steam train. The views from the train were spectacular and when we arrived at Lakeside we found the cafe and had a lovely lunch.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thanks so much for your kind words Dawn 😊 We are really glad you enjoyed your day, especially the rainforest walk and the Puffing Billy train — those Lakeside views are always a highlight. We hope to see you back on tour again soon 🚂

A clear communication of meeting time change.

BiChi_H, Apr 2026

The meeting time by tour operator was changed but not highlighted in the notification by the them. We’d appreciate if there is a reminder to us, maybe a day or two before the tour, while we were busy traveling. The operator was not all that helpful by threatening to drop us or we needed to rush to another meeting location. We stayed 7 minutes away and told her we would leave immediately and she just sounded like she did not believe us. Eventually we got there without causing any issues ( you can check with the. Driver).

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you for your feedback BiChi_H! We are sorry to hear you felt the communication around your pickup time was unclear. For clarity, the updated time was sent via the Viator/Tripadvisor portal and this was acknowledged by you. We also send a pre-travel email and SMS reminder ahead of the tour which is recorded in your in booking having being sent. On the morning of departure, our team contacted you when you had not arrived. While we understand travel can be stressful, our staff were met with aggressive language, which is not something we accept. Our team always aims to remain calm and supportive, and on this occasion the guide waited an additional 20 minutes to ensure you were able to join the tour. Our goal is to create positive and memorable experiences for all guests visiting Melbourne, and we are proud of the care our team shows every day. We do, however, ask that this is met with mutual respect. We appreciate you still joining the tour and hope you were able to enjoy the experience overall.

Am hoping you get this...

Linda_O, Apr 2026

Am hoping you get this review of my Booking Ref 1356733365, Wed, 4 March 2026, Puffing Billy and Rainforest. We thoroughly enjoyed this experience and while I do not recall our guide's name, he was excellent. He led us through the rainforest, answered numerous questions and provided a great deal of information. Then he took us to the train station and made sure we all had tickets, explained time and place for pick up. He came with the group and took photos as we sat on the train windows; he also drove to a place where the train passed and took photos for the group, which was above and beyond! We saw him several times after the train ride and felt reassured. Thank you for the wonderful experience and guide. Linda Okimura Mililani, Hawaii 96789 USA

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you for your lovely review, Linda 😊 We are so glad you had such a great experience and felt well looked after throughout the day. It is wonderful to hear how much you enjoyed the rainforest and Puffing Billy. Your guide Matt H will really appreciate your kind words — it sounds like he went above and beyond to make the day extra special. Thank you again for travelling with us all the way from Hawaii 🐨

Nice scenic ride

Leo_B, Apr 2026

I had a great time on the ride. If the weather is good then it should be an enjoyable ride for most people.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you for your review 😊 We are so glad you enjoyed the scenic Puffing Billy ride — it really is something special. 🚂 Hopefully you also spotted a few of our local favourites along the way 🐨

Good experience but not worth the price.

Rushabh_S, Apr 2026

Overall a decent experience however I had the following issues: 1) The driving felt rash. The guide was driving too roughly, taking sharp turns and swerving too much. I felt he could have been a little more gentle with the driving. 2) The stop at the Emerald Lake was hardly one hour including lunch. That's barely any time. The lunch took 45 mins and we could only get 15 mins for photos, could not even enjoy the scenery at the lake. It all felt too rushed. For the price of $175 pp, I feel it could have been a longer trip, and did not feel it was worth the money. Overall, it's good if it's a last minute plan since the tickets for Puffing Billy on ita official site are booked out well in advance. But if you're planning this trip 3-4 weeks in advance, I'd recommend avoiding paying this cost and instead book on the official site itself.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are glad to hear you enjoyed the Puffing Billy and Rainforest Tour overall, but we are very sorry that certain aspects of the experience did not meet your expectations. The safety of our passengers is always our top priority, and we do not encourage our drivers to drive recklessly. We will look further into your comments regarding the driving and also note your feedback about the timing at Emerald Lake to help improve the tour for future guests. We hope that despite these challenges, you were still able to enjoy the rainforest, the scenery, and the train ride. We really appreciate your thoughts and hope to welcome you on another Explore Australia Tours adventure in the future.

Loved the trip

Robert_F, Mar 2026

We had a great time. We loved exploring the rainforest for us walking and then aboard the magnificent steam engine. Our guide was great.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you for your lovely review. We are so glad you enjoyed your Puffing Billy and Rainforest tour. It is such a great mix of exploring the Dandenong Ranges and experiencing the iconic steam train 🚂 Our guides will really appreciate your kind words. Thanks again for travelling with us, we hope to see you again soon!

Take a jacket! It's...

Heather_B, Mar 2026

Take a jacket! It's colder in the rainforest. We had a wonderful day and our driver was outstanding.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you for your review 😊 Great tip on the jacket, the Dandenong Ranges can definitely be a little cooler 🌿 We are so glad you had a wonderful day on your Puffing Billy and Rainforest tour. Your guide will really appreciate the kind words. Thanks again for travelling with us, we hope to see you again soon 🚂

Great 1/2 Day Trip!

Muriel_L, Mar 2026

Great tour guide with very clear pick up directions! Puffing Billy is a must while in Melbourne. Truly enjoyed it!

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you for taking the time to write a review! We are so glad you enjoyed your Puffing Billy and Rainforest tour. It is such a must do experience when visiting Melbourne and we are pleased everything ran smoothly from the start. Our guides will really appreciate your kind words. Thanks again for travelling with us, we hope to see you again soon 🚂

Do this if you can!! So Cool!!

Jackie_C, Mar 2026

This was amazing. Riding a train with your feet hanging out is unthinkable but that is what we did. Two steam engines powered us and it was so cool watching the steam float in the air. Staff were amazing and the tour itself was well organized!!

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you for your awesome review. We are so glad you enjoyed your Puffing Billy and Rainforest tour. It really is such a unique experience riding the train through the Dandenong Ranges 🚂 Our team will really appreciate your kind words, they take great pride in making each day run smoothly and creating a memorable experience. Thanks again for travelling with us, we hope to see you again soon!

Puffing Away

William_M, Mar 2026

Great trip….sanctuary was great, Puffing Billy was an experience and the chocolatier was wonderful. Margaret was a great guide….

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you for your lovely review. We are so glad you enjoyed your Puffing Billy experience. Margaret will really appreciate the mention, she is a fantastic guide and loves creating a great day out for our guests. Thanks again for travelling with us, we really appreciate it and hope to see you again soon 🚂

Extremely interesting and variety plus

Jennifer_C, Mar 2026

My experience was Good from pickup to drop off. The add of knowledge of our guide together with "being human skills" walking in tge shoes of the tourist on stops making sure all were accounted for

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you for your review. We are so glad you enjoyed your Puffing Billy and Rainforest tour. Our guides will really appreciate your kind words, they take great pride in looking after every guest and creating a smooth experience throughout the day. Thanks again for travelling with us, we really appreciate it and hope to see you again soon 🚂

Puffing Billy Fun

Julie_H, Mar 2026

Had a fantastic time. Was picked up in an easy to find place in the city by an awesome young man, Nathan. Our first stop was Grant’s Picnic Grounds where we went on a short bush walk, enjoying the peaceful surroundings and bird wildlife. We were then taken to the Puffing Billy Train Station and Nathan escorted us to a train carriage and ensured we all had good positions. The train ride was so fun with our legs dangling out the train carriage. Nathan drove to a crossing and took a video of us as the train went by. We arrived at Lakeside Station and went for a walk around the lake which was beautiful, breathing in the clean air. We returned back to Melbourne city at around 1pm. My daughter and I had a wonderful time, thank you Nathan.😊😊

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you for your lovely review. We are so glad you and your daughter enjoyed your Puffing Billy and Rainforest tour. Nathan will really appreciate the shout out, he is great at making the day feel smooth, relaxed and memorable. It is those little moments throughout the Dandenong Ranges that really make this experience so special 🚂 Thanks again for travelling with us, we truly appreciate it and hope to see you again soon!