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Guided Tours

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

Phillip Island Nobbies coastal view with boardwalk and ocean waves.
Conductor and passengers wave from a Puffing Billy carriage on a Melbourne tour.
Conductor waves as Puffing Billy steam train departs on a half-day tour from Melbourne.
Puffing Billy steam train travels through pine trees near Melbourne.

Duration

11 hr

Open today

05:00pm - 09:00pm

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

Transfers included

Hotel pickup

    • 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 from Belgrave to Emerald.

    • 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 hotel pick-up and drop-off.

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

    • Puffing Billy steam train ticket (Belgrave to Emerald)

    • Entry to Phillip Island Penguin Parade

    • Return transfers from Melbourne CBD

    • Hotel 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
    Central Melbourne CBD
    Start point

    Central Melbourne CBD

    Get direction
    60 min

    Passes By

    Emerald Lake

    1. Emerald Lake

    60 min

    Things to do

    Passes By

    Nobbies Lookout & Boardwalk

    2. Nobbies Lookout & Boardwalk

    60 min
    Penguin Parade

    3. Penguin Parade

    2 hr

    Things to do

    2 hr
    Central Melbourne CBD
    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.

  • 4.9
    23 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.

    20
    3
    0
    0
    0

    What our guests say

    Anto Arokia Nithyaa Joseph

    Anto

    Aug 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    I enjoyed a lot! It's relaxing and amazing experience! Penguin parade is literally mesmerising!! ❤️
    Julie Davies

    Julie

    Jul 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Thank you Tom Julie from Perth WA 😊
    Franziska Schedel

    Franziska

    Jan 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Amazing trip,, kind and well-informed guide; a pity the mic on the bus did not work though. Also, a teeny bit chaotic sorting people into three different coaches. But it alk worked out perfectly in the end. Puffing Billy and the penguins are definitely well worth the time and money.
    Victoria Graham

    Victoria

    Jan 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    The guide John was fantastic. He was knowledgeable and really keen to give everyone the best experience possible. He went above and beyond from his photography skills to ensuring his passengers had a way to get home.
    Emma-Lea Morgan

    Emma-lea

    Dec 2024
    Verified booking
    5/5
    Our driver Phil was down to earth, full of info, prompt and got us in and set for the activities on the itinerary with no dramas :)

  • Journey from Melbourne on a full-day guided tour featuring the Puffing Billy steam train, scenic coastlines, and the Phillip Island Penguin Parade.

    Getting started

    Begin your adventure with pickup from The Hotel Windsor in Melbourne CBD. Meet your English-speaking guide and board an air-conditioned coach to relax on your way to the Dandenong Ranges.

    What to expect

    Puffing Billy & Phillip Island 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 from Belgrave to Emerald, 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.

  • Penguin Parade

    Monday05:00pm - 09:00pm
    Tuesday05:00pm - 09:00pm
    Wednesday05:00pm - 09:00pm
    Thursday05:00pm - 09:00pm
    Friday05:00pm - 09:00pm
    Saturday05:00pm - 09:00pm
    Sunday05:00pm - 09:00pm

  • 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 instantly.

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

    • Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.

    Pickup point

    • Hotel Windsor, 111 Spring Street.

    • Address: 111 Spring St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia.

    Get directions to the pickup point

AU$234
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