Puffing Billy Steam Train With Kids |

Are you planning a ride on the Puffing Billy Steam Train and want to know what to expect?

The Puffing Billy Railway has been around for more than 100 years and now kids and adults can dangle their legs from the steam train as they ride through the rainforest near Melbourne.

Step back in time and enjoy the day on the Puffing Billy Steam Train, a fun day trip from Melbourne, Australia.

My family rode on the Puffing Billy on a holiday to Victoria. We made it a day trip from Melbourne as it is nearby. Despite the kids being a little bit older than the train-obsessed kids age, my husband knew about Puffing Billy from his childhood in Victoria and we knew the kids would love the one-of-a-kind train experience where they could dangle their legs out of the train window.

Keep reading to find out what to expect at the railway station, on the Puffing Billy train ride, and at the train stops.

Belgrave Station

Puffing Billy Steam Train Ride — All Aboard the Puffing Billy Steam Train!

Belgrave Station is located in the Dandenong Ranges, about an hour east of Melbourne.

Puffing Billy asks that you check in an hour before your train ride. Check-in closes 30 minutes before departure. Kids are given wristbands according to their age, so it is easy to see who can sit on the sills. Kids 4+ can dangle their legs off the train as long as an adult is with them.

There is a store at Belgrave Station and toilets. Belgrave Station is located close to shops and restaurants.

Puffing Billy Train Ride Options

Kids sitting on the sills on Puffing Billy from Belgrave Station to Lakeside Station

Depending on how long a ride you want on the Puffing Billy, there are various options.

The Puffing Billy train ride from Belgrave to Lakeside takes about 1 hour each way, and that leaves about an hour and a half to explore Lakeside.

The steam train ride from Lakeside to Gembrooke is 45 minutes each way, which leaves about an hour and a half in Gembrooke. Unfortunately, no one is allowed to sit on the sills and dangle their legs off the train on the ride from Lakeside to Gembrooke.

A longer steam train journey from Belgrave to Gembrooke is a total of 5.5 hours. Each train ride lasts 2 hours each way.

The Puffing Billy steam train ride from Belgrave to Menzie’s Creek takes 25 minutes each way, which leaves about an hour to explore Menzie’s Creek.

Puffing Billy Seating Options

Though there is general seating inside the carriages, everyone is allocated a carriage for their ride on Puffing Billy. For the best view of the bridge, sit on the right side of the train.

On the way back, most people change seats within the carriage. Board early if you want a specific seat.

Puffing Billy Food Options

Those who want can add a picnic basket to their ticket. Both adult and child picnic baskets are available for purchase.

Each stop has a cafe and picnic tables available.

We stopped at Woolworth’s near the Belgrave Station before we rode on the Puffing Billy and purchased picnic supplies. The kids ate on the train ride and played while we were at Lakeside.

Puffing Billy Steam Train Ride Experience

Kids 4+ are allowed to sit on the edge of the train and dangle their feet outside. Kids 4-13 need a parent next to them. There are bars to keep the kids (and adults) from falling out of the train.

My kids loved sitting on the sills. Mark sat with them for a little while, and while I attempted it, I did not enjoy it at all. It wasn’t so much the dangling part for me as it was the tiny seat. It was very uncomfortable.

Another thing to note is that dirt sometimes flies up while the train is in motion. Both my daughter and I got dirt in our eyes.

The ride itself is pretty. We sat on the right side of the train heading to Lakeside and on the other side of the train coming back, so we were able to enjoy both views.

Things to do with Kids in Lakeside

puffing billy Lakeside Station — Activities at Lakeside, Victoria

As soon as you exit the Puffing Billy Steam Train, there are bike rentals available to rent by the hour. They have children’s bikes, adult bikes, and adult e-bikes. The area is hilly, but there are bike paths nearby.

The Visitor Center is nearby as well, and they can discuss options for your time in Lakeside.

Most guests explore the area around Emerald Lake. There are paddle bikes available to rent for 15 minutes on the lake. There is a cafe near the lake and a playground.

Those who wish to stretch their legs can walk around the lake or on the walking paths nearby.

Most of the people who were on our train went to the cafe and then walked around the lake. My daughter and I rented bikes while my husband and son rented a paddle bike in the lake.

Later, we all met up on the playground where the kids played until it was time to board the train.

Things to do with Kids in Gembrooke

Riders will pass over 3 timber bridges on the journey to Gembrooke.

While in Gembrooke, kids can play at the park and the playground. There are options for restaurants nearby.

Things to do with Kids in Menzie’s Creek

Visitors can explore the Menzie’s Creek Museum and enjoy morning tea before heading back to Belgrave.

Menzie’s Creek Museum always has free entry. The museum has more than 80 exhibits about trains and includes a steam train and a diesel train.

Puffing Billy Special Events

Day Out with Thomas includes a train ride, though no one is allowed to sit on the sills.
Murder on the Puffing Billy Express is a murder mystery and a 3-course dinner for adults. Purchase your tickets in advance; this event tends to sell out early.
Puffing Billy Running Festival

Kid-Friendly Accommodations Near Puffing Billy

Fun Things to Do Near Puffing Billy

Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens

Before we rode on Puffing Billy, we walked through Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens. The gardens are free to enter, and there are walking paths.

Sky High Maze and Gardens

We went to Sky High after we rode on Puffing Billy, but if you want to do the maze, get there early. There was a wedding while we were there, so we were unable to see the gardens.

There is an entry fee for cars to enter the Sky High Area and an additional charge for the maze. Sky High Maze is the largest maze in Melbourne. There is a restaurant on the premises as well, with beautiful views of Melbourne.

Tim Neville Arbetorium

Tim Neville Arbetorium has a beautiful garden, a large playground, and picnic tables.

The playground is fully fenced in and includes a sand pit, zip lines, and climbing ropes, along with swings, stepping stones, and sculptures to climb.

Dandenong Ranges National Park

Explore the beautiful Dandenong Ranges National Park.

Dandenong Ranges National Park has hiking, waterfalls, and picnic spots.

Treetop Adventures Belgrave

Swing through the trees at Treetop Adventures, Belgrave.

Kids as young as 3 years old can participate in the Junior Course at Treetop Adventures Belgrave. There are 2 Junior Courses, the regular Junior Course and Junior Pro. The Junior Courses are for kids 3-7.

Kids 8+ can participate in the beginner and intermediate ropes course and ziplining courses. Kids 10+ can go on the advanced course, and kids 13+ can participate in the expert course.

Puffing Billy Wrap Up

Puffing Billy is a unique train experience near Melbourne.

My family has ridden on many trains, and we all enjoyed the ride on Puffing Billy. The kids loved being able to dangle their legs out the window. I would have enjoyed it as well, but I felt like there wasn’t a large enough seat to be comfortable.

Puffing Billy offers a few different train trips, so be sure to read the descriptions and see which is best for you. My family enjoyed having enough time mid-trip to play, ride bikes, and paddle boat on the lake.

Puffing Billy FAQ

Can you still put your legs out on Puffing Billy?

Yes, kids 4+ can put their legs out on Puffing Billy, as can adults. Check with each destination, as you are not able to put your legs out on Puffing Billy on some of the train trips.

Does Puffing Billy run every day?

Puffing Billy runs every day except for Christmas Day.

Does Puffing Billy have a toilet?

Toilets are located at the train stations, not on the train.

How long does Puffing Billy take from Belgrave to Lakeside?

It takes the Puffing Billy Train 1 hour to get from Belgrave Station to Lakeside Station. For reference, it takes about 20 minutes to drive between the train stations.

Puffing Billy Steam Train With Kids