Guided Tours

From Melbourne: Puffing Billy Train Ride & Phillip Island Guided Tour

4.7/5(54)

Sean W

Solo

Verified booking

Last week

Michael was a very experienced and passionate guide. He really made the experience enjoyable. The transportation was very comfortable and was the perfect size the group

Carlo I

Family

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

We had a wonderful experience on the Puffing Billy and Phillip Island tour with our guide, DAVID HSU. Pick-up was right on time, and David was very informative, friendly, and generous with his time throughout the day. He made sure our whole group was well looked after from start to finish. David was not only a great tour guide but also an amazing photographer—he happily helped us capture some beautiful family memories along the way! His driving was safe and comfortable, and we were dropped off safely and on time at the end of the tour. Thank you, DAVID HSU, for making our trip enjoyable, smooth, and memorable. Highly recommended! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ With thanks from our Filo family! 🇵🇭❤️

Claire M

Couple

Verified booking

Aug 2026

This is an excellent tour! Our guide Russell was fantastic! He managed to mix, giving us practical information with a little bit of history and the zoology behind everything. He taught us how to spot penguin burrows and made sure that we saw lots and lots of wallabies! I appreciated his willingness to make sure that everyone was well oriented prior to each item on the itinerary. I would recommend this tour to anyone!

Ong S

Couple

Verified booking

Aug 2026

Choosing the right tour guide is important for any tours to begin,luckily we have our best tour guide Mr.David Hsu,he is the best...leaving us a very memorable day to remember...

Rebecca W

Solo

Verified booking

Jul 2026

David Hsu was an absolute joy the whole day. He's the kind of person you want to sit around a fire with to listen to his stories. I lived how he translates stories in English, Mandarin and Cantonese so that everyone in the mini bus could understand. He also went above and betond to take photos and videos for everyone, and it was clear he had a lot of photography experience. The tour itself was fun, but made better because of his warmth and energy. I loved the story about Captain Cook and learning about uow his house was taken apart brick by brick and transported to Melbourne. David also helped us understand the history of the Myki card, the Trams and other Australian trust-based systems. The Bully puffer train was my favourite part of this tour. I especially loved how the locals all stopped to wave as we went past. It seems like such a happy place as a result. It was a great day :)

Tiina T

Couple

Verified booking

Jul 2026

10/10 absolutely! Timing was well planned. The start with the Puffing Billy kicked-off the day and the Penguin Parade was a perfect end for the tour. Our guide and chauffer was a true customer care-taker. In addition, his insights about Australian history and present were very intresting.

See the best of Victoria on a full-day guided tour from Melbourne to Phillip Island, with round-trip transfers included.

Journey through the scenic Dandenong Ranges and enjoy a classic Puffing Billy steam train ride.

Watch the famous Penguin Parade at Phillip Island as little penguins waddle ashore at sunset.

Travel in comfort with an English-speaking guide and air-conditioned coach, plus convenient pick-up and drop-off from the meeting point.

Did you know? Puffing Billy is one of the world’s best-preserved heritage steam railways, operating since 1900.

Puffing Billy steam train ticket

Entry to Phillip Island Penguin Parade

Return transfers from Melbourne CBD

Pick-up and drop-off from meeting point

English-speaking professional guide

Air-conditioned coach transport

Food and drinks (lunch and dinner at own expense)

Gratuities

Personal expenses

TOTAL DURATION11 hours
Timeline
Map
Start point
Central Melbourne CBD
Get direction
1 hr
Passes By
Bus/coach
1. Emerald Lake
1 hr
Free time to explore, Scenic views & Sightseeing
A tranquil lake surrounded by gardens and native bushland, Emerald Lake is perfect for a relaxing stroll or a paddleboat ride. It’s also the Puffing Billy station, so you can watch the steam train roll in.
Things to do
Lunch
Additional cost (on-site)
Passes By
Puffing Billy Steam Train
2. Nobbies Lookout & Boardwalk
1 hr
3. Penguin Parade
2 hr
2 hr
End point
Central Melbourne CBD
Get direction
Your ending point would be same as your start point

You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

54 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
46
5
0
2
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Guests from United States, Singapore, Ireland and over 10 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Carlo I
Family
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
We had a wonderful experience on the Puffing Billy and Phillip Island tour with our guide, DAVID HSU. Pick-up was right on time, and David was very informative, friendly, and generous with his time throughout the day. He made sure our whole group was well looked after from start to finish. David was not only a great tour guide but also an amazing photographer—he happily helped us capture some beautiful family memories along the way! His driving was safe and comfortable, and we were dropped off safely and on time at the end of the tour. Thank you, DAVID HSU, for making our trip enjoyable, smooth, and memorable. Highly recommended! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ With thanks from our Filo family! 🇵🇭❤️
Sean W
Solo
Verified booking
Last week
Michael was a very experienced and passionate guide. He really made the experience enjoyable. The transportation was very comfortable and was the perfect size the group
Ong S
Couple
Verified booking
Aug 2026
Choosing the right tour guide is important for any tours to begin,luckily we have our best tour guide Mr.David Hsu,he is the best...leaving us a very memorable day to remember...
Myrene M
Family
Verified booking
Aug 2026
The knowledgeable tour guide and the perfect weather.
Karen R
Couple
Verified booking
Aug 2026
Puffing Billy and Penguin Parade

Experience Victoria’s iconic heritage railway and Australia’s celebrated wildlife spectacle, all in one day. The Puffing Billy steam train, operating since 1900, offers a nostalgic journey through the lush Dandenong Ranges, while Phillip Island’s Penguin Parade is renowned for its nightly gathering of little penguins returning to their burrows.

Features

Puffing Billy steam train: Ride the historic steam train, passing through towering forests and fern gullies that showcase the region’s natural beauty.

Emerald lake: Enjoy free time to explore the lake’s tranquil surrounds or purchase lunch at your own pace.

The Nobbies Lookout: Stroll the boardwalk to see dramatic coastal views, the Blowhole, and Seal Rock, a haven for Australia’s largest fur seal colony.

Phillip Island Penguin Parade: Witness the world’s smallest penguins emerge from the surf at dusk, an extraordinary wildlife encounter exclusive to this region.

Comfortable coach transfers: Travel in an air-conditioned coach with return transfers to Melbourne CBD, ensuring a seamless and relaxed experience throughout the day.

What to bring

Bring flat, sealed shoes for safety, weather-appropriate clothing (umbrella or jacket recommended), a reusable water bottle, a small daypack.

What’s not allowed

Smoking, alcohol, drugs, pets (except for registered service animals), large luggage, suitcases, and oversized bags are not allowed on the tour.

Accessibility

This experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or those with mobility impairments.

Additional information

Meeting point and pickup time will be confirmed 24 hours before departure.

Lunch is not included but is available for purchase during the tour.

Personal expenses and gratuities are not included in your ticket.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.