Guided Tours

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

4.8/5(60)

Daniela C

Couple

Verified booking

5 days ago

Jack was very insightful and offered little tips for the best experience. His calm and friendly manner was much appreciated. All the attractions were very well run and all the staff were helpful and friendly. My daughter recently turned 20 and has loved penguins since she saw them at seaworld at 3 yrs old. Her love for all birds has projected her into a career path of vet nursing. She made the trip from North Queensland to complete her final exam at Wangaratta and what better way to celebrate than to see the penguins. She's one by very, very happy girl. Thankyou Jack for making that happen for her.

Vijay S

Group

Verified booking

6 days ago

It was a heavily rainy day. But, our guide and driver Jack made the day very enjoyable. We were a group of 18 people in that bus and Jack was managing all of us very professionally. He always kept his time. The Puffy Billy train ride was very enjoyable. By the time, we reached the Philip island, the rain has stopped and the penguin parade was out of the world. 5 stars..

Stefanie G

Couple

Verified booking

4 days ago

My partner Matt and I had such a wonderful time back in March! Seeing the penguins was incredible and definitely a highlight of the tour. Special shout out to Terry for making it a fun experience (Go the Broncos! Up the Lions!)

Sean W

Solo

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

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

Sep 2026

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!

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.

60 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.
52
5
0
2
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Guests from United States, Singapore, India and over 12 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Sean W
Solo
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
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
Daniela C
Couple
Verified booking
5 days ago
Jack was very insightful and offered little tips for the best experience. His calm and friendly manner was much appreciated. All the attractions were very well run and all the staff were helpful and friendly. My daughter recently turned 20 and has loved penguins since she saw them at seaworld at 3 yrs old. Her love for all birds has projected her into a career path of vet nursing. She made the trip from North Queensland to complete her final exam at Wangaratta and what better way to celebrate than to see the penguins. She's one by very, very happy girl. Thankyou Jack for making that happen for her.
Vijay S
Group
Verified booking
6 days ago
It was a heavily rainy day. But, our guide and driver Jack made the day very enjoyable. We were a group of 18 people in that bus and Jack was managing all of us very professionally. He always kept his time. The Puffy Billy train ride was very enjoyable. By the time, we reached the Philip island, the rain has stopped and the penguin parade was out of the world. 5 stars..
Stefanie G
Couple
Verified booking
4 days ago
My partner Matt and I had such a wonderful time back in March! Seeing the penguins was incredible and definitely a highlight of the tour. Special shout out to Terry for making it a fun experience (Go the Broncos! Up the Lions!)
Md H
Family
Verified booking
Last week
Mind blowing experience. Everyone coming to Melbourne must visit.

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.