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Plan your journey right now and embark on a journey to discover the wonders of this iconic destination. It’s a 40-minute practice experience via Wright State Forest over three timber trestle bridges to Gembrook Station, where you can play fetch within the adjoining J.A.C. Russell Park or wander a half of the Eastern Dandenong Ranges Trail. The Lakeside to Gembrook return journey departs from the picturesque Lakeside station within Emerald Lake Park. Arrive early to benefit from the park, together with Lake Treganowan and Lake Nobelius, fern gullies, open eucalypt forests, and many native and unique plants. Or simply cease in on the Lakeside Visitor Centre for a small bite to eat on the Railway Café and a look at the Visitor Centre’s free museum in the Lakeside Hall. Whether you are looking for journey, rest, or family-friendly enjoyable, this tour guarantees an unforgettable experience for all who go to.

From Lakeside, you’ll experience on Puffing Billy by way of Wright Forest, which is rich with tall, fragrant eucalypt timber. Puffing Billy will then cross three historic trestle bridges earlier than chugging by way of rolling hills and farmland. The 45-minute practice journey stops at Gembrook for one hour, a small and quaint town tucked in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges.

The passage of time is damaging to investigations, although some gaps raised additional questions. Eighteen individuals contacted my workplace in response to a media assertion in July 2017, and I thank everybody who assisted the investigation, lots of whom advised us deeply personal and distressing stories. The commissioners’ Train only runs a couple of times a 12 months and passengers are shown the workshop the place the trains are maintained – engines are fully overhauled. It stops in Menzies Creek where the model new Puffing Billy Museum is being built, before rambling off to Emerald, Lakeside, and Gembrook. Climax 1694 is the only wood-fired locomotive operating on the Puffing Billy Line and the one one working in Australia.

The Bill will see the Emerald Tourist Railway Board renamed the Puffing Billy Railway Board with up to date obligations that reflect its operation as a significant state vacationer attraction. The Puffing Billy Railway Bill will exchange the Emerald Tourist Railway Act 1977. It supplies a modern framework to future-proof the operations and governance of the attraction so it could possibly function more successfully and continue to draw guests to the Dandenong Ranges. The president of the preservation society (Mr A. P. Wyland), answering criticism on the hearth danger of Puffing Billy, identified that within the early historical past of the practice no fireplace had ever been triggered. You can peek inside people’s backyards, look out for wildlife within the fern gullies and recognize the views of Cardinia Reservoir.

Emerald Lake Park presents serene picnic grounds, two cafes, a lake with paddleboats and even swimming in summer time, two playgrounds and the Southern Hemisphere’s largest mannequin railway display – the Emerald Lake Model Railway. You can select to go additional to Gembrook, which is approximately another 50 minutes away but the return trip takes 5 hours. So I am actually excited to have the chance to ride the Puffing Billy once more, invited this time as an grownup with two kids in tow. The return journey lasts for a serene 2.5 hours, with a stopover in Gembrook Station the place you presumably can seize refreshments and winter warmers. Throughout your train ride, you’ll be totally immersed within the Train of Lights present, with colors, patterns and projections leaping from the prepare to light up and transform the landscape round you. It offers passengers the chance to experience the natural surrounds of the Dandenong Ranges at evening whereas being immersed in a broad ranging gentle show designed by acclaimed lighting production firm Resolution X.

Start your journey at Lakeside Station, located in the stunning Emerald Lake Park. Ramps can be found to help boarding onto Puffing Billy’s accessible carriages. To pre-book these carriages, contact Puffing Billy Railway’s customer service. Please note that only narrow or folding prams can travel on Puffing Billy because of the heritage carriage doorways. You can also pre-purchase delectable grazing packing containers with your prepare tickets to gather at Lakeside and picnic in type.

Nobelius Packing ShedOne of Puffing Billy Railway’s best hidden gems, the historic Nobelius Packing Shed is positioned inside the grounds of Emerald Lake Park, once residence to the largest nursery in the southern hemisphere. This superbly restored early twentieth century building offers the ideal intimate and rustic venue, with an open fire to keep you heat and cosy in winter. The Lakeside Visitor Centre is an all-weather facility, accommodating as a lot as 300 friends seated or 540 in cocktail fashion across its versatile occasion spaces. The complete centre may be booked for exclusive use in the evenings, offering the freedom to customise your event.

Make it even more special and head all the way to Gembrook OR leap on at Emerald. After a short while where this wasn’t allowed – nevertheless it has returned to be a half of the expertise once more. You can climb in regards to the railway carriages, sit on the window sill along with your legs hanging out, and be right on the sting as you pass over the trestles bridges, and previous rolling hills. Puffing Billy provides the ever-popular Day Out with Thomas™ events in Autumn and Spring. Enjoy a practice journey with Thomas, meet Sir Topham Hatt, and take part in other child-friendly actions the whole family will love. You’ll get to experience the practice all the way in which to Gembrook Railway Station and seize a fast chunk to eat.

Melbourne is absolutely teeming with top eating places, fine eating options and trendy eateries offering napkin-worthy, second-to-none eating experiences. Lune Croissantarie (yes that place with the loopy good croissants and large lines) has give you a good crazier, cooler dining expertise in their Fitzroy lab. This exclusive three-course degustation serves up Lune’s most experimental croissants crafted with seasonal, local elements.

The Biosis ecology and heritage teams recently had the pleasure of aiding an iconic Victorian tourist attraction, the Puffing Billy Railway. Opened in 1900 because the rail connection between Upper Ferntree Gully and Gembrook, the road was unique in its slim gauge construction (one of only four in Victoria), allowing the prepare to barter the Dandenong Ranges’ mountainous terrain. During the investigation we had been urged by some witnesses not to take a glance at this matter ‘though the lens of today’.

Here, you possibly can dine and store alongside the primary avenue, have a picnic in Gembrook Park, or go to the Motorist Museum by appointment to see vintage and classic vehicles. Puffing Billy Railway is an icon of Victorian tourism, which required a new flagship Visitor Centre was needed to support the poppular historic practice ride expertise. The world-class amenity and interpretation of the railway’s wealthy history is designed to fulfill the calls for of a growing and more and more subtle audience. Thylacine’s interpretive installation on the new Puffing Billy customer hub, Lakeside Visitor Centre, presents a dynamic and emotive connection to Victoria’s favorite railway. Immerse yourself within the great outdoors with a variety of actions such as mountaineering, cycling, and picnicking alongside the railway route.

Today the century-old steam train nonetheless runs on the mountain observe between Belgrave and Gembrook. Puffing Billy’s new state-of-the-art Lakeside Visitor Centre sits adjacent to Lakeside station. It has a contemporary café with the best produce on supply within the region, a devoted present shop that includes regionally designed treasures and a gallery of steam artifacts in the Lakeside Hall. Menzies Creek MuseumLet your guests be actually immersed in a few of Australia’s rarest and most unique railway artifacts as they dine and dance the night time away on the Menzies Creek Museum.

The train winds its means by way of the picturesque Dandenong Ranges, just east of Melbourne. Lush greenery, towering Mountain Ash trees, and fern gullies create a magical ambiance. Passengers can journey in open carriages, absorbing the contemporary air and breathtaking views. Puffing Billy Railway is a heritage slim gauge railway within the Dandenong Ranges east of Melbourne. The scenic Upper Ferntree Gully –  Gembrook line was considered one of 4 narrow gauge (2’6″) traces built in Victoria.

Hop on board Puffing Billy for a journey of countless discovery through the Dandenong Ranges to the picturesque Emerald Lake Park. Discover an abundance of activities Emerald Lake Park has to supply together with, strolling trails, playgrounds, mannequin railway show, paddle boat rides and a seasonal wading pool. Discover wonderful wildlife and spectacular landscapes made for adventure while sitting on the carriage sill of Puffing Billy’s open-side carriages; a very iconic expertise that cannot be discovered anywhere else on the planet.

Today, Puffing Billy Railway is a serious tourist attraction and incites visitors to return and experience a century old custom. Ride within the open sides carriages because the historic steam trains proceed to run on their unique mountain observe between Belgrave and Gembrook, in the pure surrounds of the magnificent Dandenong Ranges. Step into a timeless world of wonder with Australia’s favourite steam practice, Puffing Billy, located within the heart of the Dandenong Ranges and only one-hour east of Melbourne. The dwelling legend that is Puffing Billy was inbuilt 1900 to serve the native communities that lived in the hills, carrying something from passengers to timber, livestock, potatoes and crops. Today, the railway is a century old not-for-profit steam railway that connects and enriches folks with the past, the setting and one another.

Beat the warmth with summer season actions like refreshing swims and thrilling water sports. In only one hour, enjoy the contemporary air of Sherbrooke Forest, cross the Trestle Bridge, and discover the Lakeside Visitor Centre and Emerald Lake Park. As with all 120-year-old steam locomotives, their race time varies based mostly on a quantity of elements, together with track conditions, climate, and food (coal) intake leading into the race. Companion card holders travel freed from charge onboard Puffing Billy’s every day prepare journeys, and their shopper (with an Australian Government issued concession or healthcare card) pays a concession fare.

Minor thefts had been reported to police with nice vigour, yet allegations of kid sexual abuse were never reported. Puffing Billy’s administration told us they could not act to take away Whitehead on hearsay in 1985, yet it seems have been ready to take action in 1991. One report that survived Whitehead’s archival activity was a letter from a 17-year-old abuse survivor, banned from volunteering and determined to return. The victims’ voices emerging from the historic material paint a heartbreaking image.Records of boys telling senior management immediately concerning the sexual abuse they suffered, but administration not reporting these allegations to police. A mom making an attempt to warn an organisation about offending committed against her son, whose integrity was called into question because the organisation mentioned it had no proof of her contact. The investigation ranged over greater than five decades, from information in dusty archives in Belgrave and Emerald to the Public Records Office, police proof and legal trial briefs, in addition to witness interviews.

We provide free parking and toilet services, our stations and two carriages on each prepare are wheelchair accessible. Soak up the sights, smells and scenery of Australia’s historic rail adventure – Zig Zag Railway is simply 15 minutes from the Blue Mountains. Established in 1869, come and revel in a calming journey on the romantic, nostalgic, impressive steam locomotive because it hauls you over the Great Lithgow Zig Zag. During the next twenty years, two makes an attempt have been made to restore the line as a vacationer railway, however neither was in a position to proceed. By 1991, the previous railway had been completely eclipsed by timber, undergrowth and landslides – only the ruinous stays of the bridges were still in place. In that year, the Walhalla Railway Taskforce was formed with the formidable aim of planning and fully reconstructing the road from Erica to Walhalla.

Puffing Billy’s visitor numbers are steadily rising, putting stress on the existing services. The Puffing Billy Railway masterplan was developed to construct new customer amenities and upgrade present railway amenities and rolling inventory. You can simply spend a leisurely day seeing the sights and exploring what this neighbourhood has to offer. If you’re on the lookout for things to see and do within the space, you might like to go to Sherbrooke Forest and 1000 Steps Kokoda Walk. The use of paints and different coatings is essential to sustaining the heritage locomotives as closely as potential to their original specifications.

It was solely because of the onerous work of volunteers that the line was in a position to be reopened. Pre-order your meals and spend the the rest of your time making reminiscences to treasure forever. After the train journey, you’ll get to stroll via the Dandenong Ranges at Grants Picnic Reserve. The railway has been well cared for and maintained by the Puffing Billy Preservation Society. The function house is soundproofed, options the most recent AV know-how, and consists of an operable wall to divide the room.

This great journey slowly winds through the hills, together with the stunning Wrights forest and consists of four landmark trestle bridge crossings. Free for all practice ticket holders, passengers can even discover the Menzies Creek Museum which is home to more than 80 railway-related exhibits. These embrace rare operational steam and diesel locomotives, an operational boiler house that providers steam engines and the Little Toot Café for all your morning tea needs. Enjoy your entrée in the enclosed eating carriages before arriving on the distinctive perform venue, the Nobelius Packing Shed, the place mains and desserts are served. The evening’s entertainers will ensure your night out is pleasant with reside music that everyone knows and loves! Whether you want to dance or prefer to have a chat along with your fellow passengers, you’ll be sure to benefit from the ambiance of ‘The Shed’ until it’s time to return to the prepare.

Make your night much more magical by pre-ordering a Puffing Billy picnic field and blanket including a chef’s selection of cheese, dips, meats, crackers and marinated greens. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also obtain the latest information, occasions, provides and companion promotions. It’s an icon and nothing brings back more childhood recollections than occurring a journey on Puffing Billy. The odor of the engines and the clunks and grinds of equipment as you enter the Belgrave platform, is all a half of the experience. Add in the volunteers wearing conventional uniforms blowing whistles and waving flags – you feel like you may be a half of the Thomas the Tank Engine story.

Add a trendy twist of steam to your subsequent occasion, with options to constitution a practice, hire exclusive carriages in your group, or get pleasure from First Class wine and dine experiences in superbly restored heritage eating carriages. Plus, there are diverse experiences off the rails – from paddle boating to bike hire – to reconnect and inspire your group. Embodying the meandering rail route via the landscape, the guests journey is nuanced around the bush landscape. Take within the magic of steam train travel from the second you arrive with the sights and smells of the historic locomotive being prepared for departure and the evocative sound of the train’s whistle.

You might think about topping that up with some nice Aussie food and wine for lunch and go on to satisfy a few of Australia’s fantastic wildlife. We’ll get your day began with a journey via Melbourne’s jap suburbs and views of the Dandenongs within the distance. Embedded in the hard panorama of the entry plaza on the customer centre is an orientation map of the railway and its stations, materiality and proportions take cues from the locomotives and their period.

Puffing Billy is Australia’s favorite steam practice and one of the most interesting preserved steam railways on the planet. This century-old steam train continues to run on its original mountain monitor within the magnificent Dandenong Ranges 40kms east of Melbourne. Puffing Billy operates every single day besides Christmas Day, and is definitely accessible from Melbourne by Metro Train on the Belgrave Line. The iconic Puffing Billy Railway is a much-loved vacationer attraction positioned throughout the Dandenong Ranges, 40 kilometres east of Melbourne.

Explore pure sights and nationwide parks, from cascading waterfalls to scenic lookout points, promising awe-inspiring views and memorable experiences. Nestled amidst Victoria’s picturesque landscapes, this iconic railway offers captivating experiences for visitors of all ages. Whether you’re craving thrilling adventures, serene nature escapes, or family-friendly outings, there’s something for everyone to enjoy along the Puffing Billy Railway route. Experience the historical past of railroading with our Media Storehouse Jigsaw Puzzle that includes Wylam Dilly and its iconic sister locomotive Puffing Billy. As the earliest surviving locomotives on the planet, these engineering marvels were constructed by inventor and colliery official, George Stephenson. Piece collectively this charming puzzle to convey the magic of steam prepare historical past into your home.

Sit again, chill out, and bask in the firm of loved ones with a journey onboard Australia’s oldest preserved steam railway. Get up shut with fascinating wildlife at nearby zoos and aquariums, or take pleasure in indoor activities on rainy days, together with museums and art galleries. Take advantage of exclusive deals and discounts to make probably the most of your go to. Embark on a self-guided adventure with detailed maps and informative guides, discovering hidden gems and secret spots at your own pace.

The Train of Lights show runs from June 28 to July 21, offering a magical experience for all. Tickets can be found to purchase from Thursday, May 23 at 10am, till bought out. Sign up to our free publication and receive weekly updates on events and issues to do with youngsters on the Mornington Peninsula.

You will also see plenty of individuals stopping to wave to the prepare as you cross strolling paths and country homes. When the steam engine is in a position to depart the depot, you’ll hear the practice whistle blow. As you start exiting Belgrave, there might be a lot of staff and guests waving to you. Have your picture taken with the driver, take within the majestic scenery of the Dandenong Ranges, and really feel the thrill as you cross four historical timber trestle bridges to Gembrook. Saturday events race towards a train for a enjoyable family day in Emerald Lake Park. Sunday’s events has participants racing against two trains from Belgrave to Emerald Lake Park.

Ride the steam practice and explore Emerald Park Lake or do the return journey to Belgrave after which take a hike in the forest. Step back in time when you take a experience on Puffing Billy – a perfectly preserved steam prepare – because it chugs by way of the Dandenong Ranges from Belgrave to Lakeside, Gembrook and Menzies Creek. It is probably not the speediest journey (once a 12 months you can truly race the practice on foot – and win, if you’re fast enough), but ol’ Billy will take you thru the plush forest setting in type. Local group members can reap the advantages of the railway’s annual Locals Pass, providing up unlimited travel on return practice journeys, in addition to other special discounts.

After an unforgettable day in the Dandenong Ranges, you’ll head again to the Melbourne metropolis centre. If you want to expertise the Puffing Billy railway, contemplate joining a tour! This Puffing Billy and Healesville Wildlife Tour will present you one of the best of the Dandenong Ranges. The Puffing Bily Railway was constructed within the 1900s as a approach to join the distant areas in Victoria. On your next school excursion expertise the magic of a day at Puffing Billy Railway.

Share the grandeur and allure of a 3 hour steam practice journey while savouring the First Class menu aboard the ‘Steam Step aboard the Puffing Billy steam train for a scenic ride by way of the luxurious rainforests of the Dandenong Ranges. Journey onboard our open-sided carriages by way of the magnificent Dandenong Ranges, with lush fern gullies brushing previous and Mountain Ash bushes towering overhead. Share the joy of steam locomotives, breathtaking views, and the rich heritage of Australian rail journey. Purchase a present voucher at present and create recollections that may final a lifetime on Zig Zag Railway.

The Dandenong Ranges has been residence to Puffing Billy Railway for 121 years, with generations of families making lifelong recollections at the much-loved attraction. Recognising the importance of volunteers, and their invaluable contribution to the working and preservation of the historic railway, together with the restoration of trains, is another key focus of the modifications. Don’t miss the time-honoured custom of dangling your legs and arms over the sills of the open carriage on a prepare ride. Nothing beats the experience through the towering forests, around bends, over bridges and streams, waving at passers-by, all the while sitting on the carriage sill as Puffing Billy steams gently alongside the tracks. Most Puffing Billy trains start their journey from Belgrave, the headquarters of the railway. You purchase a ticket for a specific departure time in Belgrave and might return from Emerald on any scheduled train.

A Board member and Treasurer of the Society, have been totally conscious of specific allegations that Whitehead had sexually abused two Puffing Billy youth volunteers. For decades, younger victims with legitimate complaints about sexual abuse have been pressured to seek justice for themselves, whereas steps had been taken to protect the reputation of the alleged offenders and the railway. Time and time again, on listening to allegations, volunteer organisations acted to guard their own reputations on the expense of victims.

Its nostalgic appeal and cultural significance have attracted each locals and vacationers alike, creating cherished memories for generations. Puffing Billy will chug alongside the historic narrow-gauge track to Gembrook Station where visitors will disembark for a 55-minute stopover. Here, you possibly can warm up by the crackling open firepits with hot chocolate and stay acoustic music, and luxuriate in a sausage sizzle by the Rotary Club of Emerald and District.

It serves as a testament to human ingenuity and engineering prowess that continues to encourage generations today. Preserved inside the National Railway Museum’s assortment, this print presents a glimpse into our rich industrial heritage while honoring those that contributed to its growth. The legacy of Wylam Dilly and Puffing Billy endures as symbols of progress and innovation that forever modified the course of transportation history. Drive from your central accommodation in a cushty air-conditioned car to the world-famous Puffing Billy steam prepare. Enjoy this iconic steam prepare journey by way of the glorious Dandenong Ranges, some of the well-liked vacationer locations in Victoria.

Alternatively, you can sit within the Lakeside Visitor Centre Railway Café for a scrumptious menu filled with seasonal produce. If you may be departing from Puffing Billy Railway’s Lakeside station, you can park at the Lakeside Visitor Centre on Emerald Lake Road. If you are departing from Puffing Billy Railway’s Belgrave station, you can park at the Woolworths Belgrave carpark, Belgrave Car Park at 2 Bayview Road, or Belgrave Town off the Burwood highway on Hillside Court. The Metro Belgrave Station automobile park is at present being upgraded and will provide hundreds of carparks upon completion. Sitting on the carriage sill is just permitted on Belgrave to Lakeside station journeys. Both grownup and youngster passengers can sit on Puffing Billy Railway’s carriage sills with their legs hanging out.

Including bushes ferns, ground ferns and the towering mountain ash eucalyptus trees. The area is known for having cool temperatures and is the perfect place to escape the summer heat. The journey by way of the Dandenong Ranges is what makes this an even more special experience. The Dandenongs have small villages where you’ll begin and finish your journey. Linear plan arrangement The linear association of perform is straightforward, legible and accessible.

This brief, 25-minute ride takes you through Sherbrooke Forest and over the Trestle Bridge, ending on the Menzies Creek Museum the place you’ll be able to see cool steam artifacts and diesel locomotives. In the 1900s, this railway delivered passengers, mail, livestock, timber, potatoes and crops between Melbourne and the small communities dwelling within the Dandenong Ranges. At The Nobbies, you can explore the boardwalks and enjoy panoramic coastal views of Bass Strait, stroll along the clifftop boardwalks with views out to the Nobbies and Seal Rocks. Puffing Billy Railway is dedicated to offering an gratifying expertise for everybody and has a variety of accessible amenities out there for our passengers. Grab the fam and step through the iconic Jurassic World gates as dinosaurs are introduced (back) to life with this immersive experience.

The centrepiece of our scheme is the ‘object theatre’ within the large discovery area, Lakeside Hall. A striking authentic engine, the well-known 3A Loco is the main target of the area and the story and the star of the show! In prime place, the 3A Loco is dropped at life with a sound, mild, and special results present alongside a skillfully produced film, bursts of ‘steam’ punctuate the dramatic story. This present periodically takes-over the corridor to inform the extraordinary tale of Puffing Billy, surprising and delighting guests of every kind. With A Day Out with Thomas Thomas the Tank engine pulls the train through a part of the Puffing Billy observe from Gembrook to Emerald plus there are different family-friendly actions to enjoy at Gembrook.

The Santa Specials characteristic face painting, a Little Elves play and create workshop,  Australian animal exhibition, Santa photos, gifts and a 60-minute return journey via the Dandenong Ranges. Most people select to travel the route between Belgrave and Lakeside / Emerald Lake Park. It’s also the most picturesque and well-known a part of the track, allows a return journey again to Belgrave and takes 60 minutes one way (2 hours return). I nonetheless keep in mind my first trip on the Puffing Billy Railway as a child – the joys of seeing the massive puffs of smoke from the steam practice, the magnificent timber of Sherbrooke Forest and the rumble over the Monbulk Creek Trestle Bridge. Puffing Billy was inbuilt 1900 to carry passengers, livestock, potatoes and timber to the small communities dwelling within the hills. More than four hundred,000 individuals climb aboard the heritage practice every year.Puffing Billy Railway Board chair Tim North said he was thrilled to announce the return of leg-dangling all the way in which to Gembrook station.

Children beneath 4 years of age are not permitted to sit down on the carriage sills. You’ll be sent the latest news, exclusive presents and competitions to your inbox. After a day of adventure on the practice, venture to the stunning Phillip Island. Explore the picturesque Nobbies Boardwalk before witnessing the famous Penguin Parade . Puffing Billy continues to run on its original mountain observe from Belgrave to Gembrook in the magnificent Dandenong Ranges forty kilometres east of Melbourne. The Puffing Billy Running Festival is an iconic running challenge in opposition to the power and speed of the famous Puffing Billy steam locomotive from Belgrave to Emerald within the lovely Dandenong Ranges.

Puffing Billy is a local legend within the Dandenong Ranges and a agency favorite with guests, young and old and in-between too. Step again in time at Australia’s oldest and best-preserved heritage steam railway, Puffing Billy, situated in the picturesque hills and just one hour from Melbourne. Sitting on the sills is what makes a visit on the Puffing Billy experience greater than just a steam practice experience – it’s a moment that I keep in mind as a baby and I think my children will keep in mind too. The Puffing Billy Steam Train and railway line is maintained by a dedicated group of volunteers.

From scenic prepare rides to immersive wildlife encounters, the choices are endless for unforgettable experiences. Embark on a guided tour and delve into the rich historical past and pure wonders of Puffing Billy Railway. Expert guides will lead you through lush forests, charming villages, and iconic landmarks, offering fascinating insights along the way in which. With lush fern gullies brushing previous your open side carriage and Mountain Ash timber towering overhead, the whole family will love riding the Puffing Billy steam train in your subsequent weekend trip or college holidays tour. With a particular whistle that travels throughout the hills, the practice winds its means via towering forest, round bends and over timber trestle bridges, while kids onboard wave at passers-by. Our tour departs from Melbourne CBD and just an hour’s drive may have you standing on the platform at Belgrave Station able to climb aboard.

At their peak, they rise to greater than 630 metres and are cloaked in lush rainforests of Mountain Ash timber (the tallest flowering plant within the world), waterfalls, rolling hills and steep valleys. The area is home to the very well-known Puffing Billy Railway, quite a few artwork and craft stores and cafés offering scrumptious selfmade produce. With a range of delicious picnic packs out there, pre-order your meals and spend the rest of your time making memories to treasure endlessly.Located adjoining to Lakeside station sits Puffing Billy’s new Lakeside Visitor Centre.

There is a fleet of steam and diesel locomotives, as well a spread of carriages including the iconic Holiday class tour cars with window sills to sit down on. Dangle your legs from the carriage, an experience many Victorians have grown up with. Puffing Billy steam train operates on a century old railway with a proud historical past of serving locals, being preserved by volunteers, and creating memorable journeys for anyone who climbs aboard. Located adjacent to Lakeside station sits Puffing Billy’s new state-of-the-art Lakeside Visitor Centre. Travel through the magnificent Dandenong Ranges, with lush fern gullies brushing past and Mountain Ash timber towering overhead. Puffing Billy makes for an exquisite alternative to loosen up and breathe in the contemporary air whilst the practice makes its means through the temperate rainforest.

The Board’s primary aim is to support the victims of child sexual abuse perpetrated by any grownup member of Puffing Billy Preservation Society (PBPS) in opposition to its youth members. In addition to this major objective, the Board accepts the findings and proposals of the Ombudsman. Apologise publicly to any volunteer at Puffing Billy who became a victim of kid sexual abuse perpetrated either by Robert Whitehead or any other grownup member of Puffing Billy. I recognise it is difficult – and sometimes unfair – to act on rumour and innuendo.

The Train of Lights will travel through Emerald Lake Park, Cockatoo and Gembrook. Thanks to Puffing Billy’s signature open-side carriages, you will have front-row seats to the journey’s mountains, forests, valleys and iconic timber trestle bridges. Function areas can be hired independently or combined with our steam train journeys, including non-public charter trains, exclusive carriages for teams, and onboard dining in enclosed heritage first-class carriages. Experience the time-honoured custom of sitting on the carriage sill – a true thrill for younger and old! Ride in open-sided carriages over the rolling hills, down the valley and into the forest on the original 24km mountain monitor between Belgrave and Gembrook and enjoy the simplicity and beauty of the region on board our Excursion prepare journey. Prepare for a day brimming with excitement as you explore the diverse range of actions obtainable.

But for a group of boys abused by trusted adult volunteers, the Railway formed their lives in a very completely different way. Robert Kingsley Whitehead was convicted of 24 counts of kid sexual offences in 2015, dying in prison later that yr. Whitehead – who had been convicted of offences towards youngsters in 1959 – was concerned for decades with the railways, including Puffing Billy, where he gained entry to countless innocent volunteers. Puffing Billy is the darling of the Dandenongs and a World Famous Steam Train ride through beautiful Australian forest scenery. Leaving the Belgrave Station on an everyday schedule, passengers of all ages can dangle their legs from the carriages and wave madly at the individuals who stand by the observe along the finest way to watch. This morning you will take pleasure in some good old fashioned fun and essentially the most stunning rainforest in Victoria.

Zig Zag Railway is a family pleasant venue providing visitors the chance to expertise heritage steam journey on the original rail path down the picturesque western escarpment of the Blue Mountains – almost precisely because it was within the late 1800s. The railway was reopened as a tourist operation in 1962, thanks to the onerous work of a dedicated staff of volunteers. In the many years since, the picture of the steam engine winding its method via the temperate rainforests and across the Monbulk trestle bridge has become synonymous with tourism in Victoria. The entire household can get pleasure from an excellent day trip with everyone’s favorite little blue engine, because it takes passengers on a 35-minute practice experience departing from Gembrook’s heritage platform through to Fielder station and back. However, doing a self-guided journey to the Dandenongs is very easy and a complete day can simply be spent up here.

Puffing Billy have a variety of delicious picnic and lunch packs available for adults, children, couples and families. These are available for pre-order along with your train tickets and can be collected at Belgrave and Lakeside station. Take in the lush fern gullies brushing past the open aspect carriages and Mountain Ash bushes towering overhead. A journey on the Puffing Billy Railway is a wonderful opportunity to relax and breathe in the fresh air whilst the prepare makes its way via the temperate rainforest. Zig Zag Railway presents visitors a spread of different journey options providing a unique opportunity to step back in time and expertise the fun of traveling by rail as it was accomplished in the past. We runs trains Friday/Saturday/Sunday as quickly as per fortnight, see our tickets page for dates.

Discover diverse wildlife on a safari journey and explore the pristine wilderness surrounding Puffing Billy Railway. Marvel at the stunning nationwide parks with their lush rainforests and rugged mountains, providing unique opportunities for exploration. Unwind on tranquil beaches, absorb the solar, and luxuriate in swimming, browsing, or just lounging on the sand.

Additionally, the show may be witnessed traveling between Emerald Lakeside and Gembrook stations every night in the course of the school holidays, providing a extensive ranging sight for spectators of all ages. There are also a quantity of specialty train occasions occurring throughout the year such as ‘Day Out with Thomas’, ‘Jazz on Puffing Billy’, ‘Rock N Roll Train’ and ‘Murder Mystery Train’. To discover the range of experiences which might be out there to be booked, please visit their web site by following the beneath link.

Experience the joys of adventure amidst breathtaking pure magnificence, from bushwalking by way of pristine forests to exploring hidden caves. Create cherished recollections with family-friendly actions, together with interactive exhibits and hands-on workshops. Escape the hustle and bustle of city life with a relaxing day trip aboard the long-lasting steam practice, transporting you to charming destinations full of historical past and charm. Puffing Billy offers a spread of experiences, including a full-day journey to Lakeside or Gembrook paired with a pre-purchased picnic, to shorter trips to Menzies Creek which comes with morning tea and entry to the Menzies Creek Museum. The museum is home to over eighty exhibition items and provides guests a glimpse of the previous together with rare operational railway artefacts. Pre-purchase a picnic pack to enjoy as you ride over the hills, down the valley and into the luxurious forest on the unique mountain track or hold onto your afternoon snacks and set lunch up by Emerald Lake Park.

Our design ensures the Puffing Billy story embraces guests with an enticing narrative and spatial experience that evokes everyone from locomotive buffs to curious day-visitors. Puffing Billy is an icon of Victorian tourism, its new customer hub, Lakeside Visitor Centre, enhances customer connection to the dwelling history of the famous railway and to the spectacular Dandenong Ranges. Step into a timeless world of surprise with Australia’s favorite steam train, Puffing Billy, positioned within the coronary heart of the Dandenong Ranges. Whether it’s energetic adventure, a contact of nostalgia or cultural experiences, there’s something for everyone at Puffing Billy Railway. Next up, you will board our ‘Special Tour Train’ that will take you on a 45min journey to the historic township of Gembrook.

Open every day with free entry to passengers and visitors, visit puffingbilly.com.au/lakeside-visitor-centre for more data. You’re welcome to pack your individual snacks and lunch, explore the local businesses inside Emerald or pre-purchase a grazing field to collect from the Lakeside Visitor Centre. The train will take you previous old depots including Menzies Creek, Emerald and Lakeside. Here, you will be able to go to a museum, try the gift shop, and revel in a delicious lunch or snack.

We’ll begin you in your journey and supply training, valuable abilities and experience. We even have great spots for a picnic, static carriages to dine in, a memento retailer and the Container Café. Construction of the 44km line from Moe commenced in 1904 and was finally accomplished in early 1910, with the last part of the railway past Erica requiring numerous bridges and cuttings via the mountainous terrain of the district. On 3 May 1910, the railway was formally opened and companies commenced, with an expectation that it will help Walhalla to a new age of prosperity.

Get ready for a tee-rrific time at Funhouse, the most recent addition to the Holey Moley fam! Moving away from traditional putters and balls—this 9-hole journey is all about interactive challenges like throwing games, reminiscence checks, and putt-putt pong. Boasting backbone tingly standup, pub crawls and family pleasant ghost tours, prepare to bypass the methods and soak up the treats from October 25-27. The certificates combines Chinese design parts with a Victorian forest scene. The Puffing Billy Railway passes within the background, connecting the design to the start theme.

You can enjoy the iconic steam prepare journey all the method in which to Menzies Creek station. Today the steam prepare offers a memorable journey for tourists and locals alike. The magic is in the whistle blowing, the steam billowing and the prepare chugging out of the station. Ride over the rolling hills, throughout iconic timber trestle bridges and thru the open farmlands that encompass Gembrook Station.

Seated at The Cube bar, you possibly can get pleasure from limitless non-alcoholic drinks (option for bubbles when you like) whilst you savour imaginative, spring-inspired pastries. Treat someone (or even yourself) to an unforgettable journey by way of time on our  historic railway. Thomas and all his fun-loving associates are back for extra adventures this March and April, for the highly anticipated return of a Day out With Thomas at Puffing Billy’s Gembrook station. The Board will work with the Department as required by the Department, in relation to helping all victims of kid sexual abuse perpetrated by grownup members of the PBPS in opposition to its youth members.

Step again in time at Australia’s oldest and best-preserved heritage steam railway, Puffing Billy, located in the picturesque Dandenong Ranges and just one hour from Melbourne CBD. Visit the model new state-of–the-art Lakeside Visitor Centre at Emerald Lake precinct to learn more in regards to the railway and the region. After an investigation and modifications to the carriage sills, the leg-dangling ban was lifted for part of the practice journey — from Belgrave to Lakeside station — in 2022. From the start it was a scenic attraction for individuals residing in Melbourne. You can enjoy the beloved tradition of sticking your legs exterior the window of Puffing Billy Railway’s historic open-side carriages.

Along the historic narrow-gauge observe, the practice comes alive with a mesmerising array of lights and colours, casting a fascinating glow in opposition to the night time sky. For a novel expertise, board the century old Puffing Billy steam train and luxuriate in a scenic journey to the gorgeous Dandenong Ranges. The Train of Lights is again on the tracks for 2024 and ready to captivate passengers with a magical winter journey through the Dandenong Ranges. Australia’s favorite steam train Puffing Billy might be your conductor for this two-and-a-half-hour spherical trip that illuminates the natural beauty of the region with 1000’s of dazzling lights. Along the finest way you will cross the historic Monbulk Creek trestle bridge, wave at the pleasant locals from their backyards and spot the Cardinia Reservoir in the distance.

The many customer types are catered for; the everyday Puffing Billy customer, and Park users. Within the logical arrangement are many options such as flexible to separately zone use areas, and centralised ticketing, retail and F Baby change services can be found in any respect stations, and a microwave for warming bottles and child food can be out there within the baby change room at Belgrave Station. Volunteers within the refreshment rooms at other stations also can help you to heat bottles and baby food. You’re required to check in on the Puffing Billy booking workplace earlier than the departure of your prepare experience. Check in at the booking workplace closes 30 minutes earlier than the train leaves, so arrive early and explore the area earlier than you depart.

Plan your journey today and embark on a journey to find the wonders of this iconic vacation spot. It’s a 40-minute practice journey via Wright State Forest over three timber trestle bridges to Gembrook Station, the place you’ll have the ability to play fetch within the adjoining J.A.C. Russell Park or wander part of the Eastern Dandenong Ranges Trail. The Lakeside to Gembrook return journey departs from the picturesque Lakeside station within Emerald Lake Park. Arrive early to enjoy the park, including Lake Treganowan and Lake Nobelius, fern gullies, open eucalypt forests, and plenty of native and exotic plants. Or simply cease in on the Lakeside Visitor Centre for a small chew to eat on the Railway Café and a look at the Visitor Centre’s free museum within the Lakeside Hall. Whether you are in search of adventure, leisure, or family-friendly fun, this tour guarantees an unforgettable expertise for all who visit.

From Lakeside, you’ll experience on Puffing Billy via Wright Forest, which is rich with tall, aromatic eucalypt trees. Puffing Billy will then cross three historic trestle bridges before chugging by way of rolling hills and farmland. The 45-minute train journey stops at Gembrook for one hour, a small and quaint town tucked within the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges.

The passage of time is damaging to investigations, although some gaps raised additional questions. Eighteen individuals contacted my workplace in response to a media statement in July 2017, and I thank everybody who assisted the investigation, many of whom told us deeply private and distressing stories. The commissioners’ Train solely runs a few occasions a year and passengers are shown the workshop where the trains are maintained – engines are utterly overhauled. It stops in Menzies Creek the place the new Puffing Billy Museum is being constructed, earlier than rambling off to Emerald, Lakeside, and Gembrook. Climax 1694 is the one wood-fired locomotive operating on the Puffing Billy Line and the one one operating in Australia.

The Bill will see the Emerald Tourist Railway Board renamed the Puffing Billy Railway Board with up to date obligations that replicate its operation as a big state tourist attraction. The Puffing Billy Railway Bill will substitute the Emerald Tourist Railway Act 1977. It offers a contemporary framework to future-proof the operations and governance of the attraction so it could operate more effectively and proceed to attract visitors to the Dandenong Ranges. The president of the preservation society (Mr A. P. Wyland), answering criticism on the hearth risk of Puffing Billy, pointed out that within the early history of the prepare no fireplace had ever been brought on. You can peek inside people’s backyards, look out for wildlife within the fern gullies and recognize the views of Cardinia Reservoir.

Emerald Lake Park offers serene picnic grounds, two cafes, a lake with paddleboats and even swimming in summer time, two playgrounds and the Southern Hemisphere’s largest mannequin railway display – the Emerald Lake Model Railway. You can select to go further to Gembrook, which is approximately another 50 minutes away however the return trip takes 5 hours. So I am actually excited to have the chance to experience the Puffing Billy once more, invited this time as an grownup with two kids in tow. The return journey lasts for a serene 2.5 hours, with a stopover in Gembrook Station the place you can seize refreshments and winter warmers. Throughout your prepare experience, you’ll be completely immersed within the Train of Lights show, with colors, patterns and projections leaping from the train to illuminate and remodel the landscape round you. It presents passengers the opportunity to expertise the natural surrounds of the Dandenong Ranges at night whereas being immersed in a breathtaking light show designed by acclaimed lighting production company Resolution X.

Start your journey at Lakeside Station, situated in the beautiful Emerald Lake Park. Ramps are available to aid boarding onto Puffing Billy’s accessible carriages. To pre-book these carriages, contact Puffing Billy Railway’s customer service. Please notice that only slim or folding prams can journey on Puffing Billy due to the heritage carriage doors. You can also pre-purchase delectable grazing packing containers together with your practice tickets to collect at Lakeside and picnic in style.

Nobelius Packing ShedOne of Puffing Billy Railway’s most interesting hidden gems, the historic Nobelius Packing Shed is located throughout the grounds of Emerald Lake Park, once house to the largest nursery within the southern hemisphere. This beautifully restored early twentieth century building supplies the ideal intimate and rustic venue, with an open fireplace to maintain you warm and cosy in winter. The Lakeside Visitor Centre is an all-weather facility, accommodating up to 300 visitors seated or 540 in cocktail type throughout its versatile event spaces. The whole centre could be booked for exclusive use in the evenings, providing the freedom to customize your event.

Make it much more particular and head all the finest way to Gembrook OR leap on at Emerald. After a brief time the place this wasn’t allowed – however it has returned to be a part of the experience once more. You can climb about the railway carriages, sit on the window sill with your legs hanging out, and be proper on the sting as you pass over the trestles bridges, and past rolling hills. Puffing Billy offers the ever-popular Day Out with Thomas™ occasions in Autumn and Spring. Enjoy a practice journey with Thomas, meet Sir Topham Hatt, and take part in different child-friendly actions the entire family will love. You’ll get to experience the train all the way in which to Gembrook Railway Station and grab a fast bite to eat.

Melbourne is absolutely teeming with top eating places, nice dining options and classy eateries providing napkin-worthy, second-to-none eating experiences. Lune Croissantarie (yes that place with the crazy good croissants and large lines) has provide you with a fair crazier, cooler dining experience of their Fitzroy lab. This unique three-course degustation serves up Lune’s most experimental croissants crafted with seasonal, native components.

The Biosis ecology and heritage teams recently had the pleasure of assisting an iconic Victorian vacationer attraction, the Puffing Billy Railway. Opened in 1900 as the rail connection between Upper Ferntree Gully and Gembrook, the line was unique in its narrow gauge construction (one of only 4 in Victoria), allowing the train to barter the Dandenong Ranges’ mountainous terrain. During the investigation we had been urged by some witnesses not to take a look at this matter ‘though the lens of today’.

Here, you possibly can dine and store along the principle road, have a picnic in Gembrook Park, or visit the Motorist Museum by appointment to see vintage and traditional cars. Puffing Billy Railway is an icon of Victorian tourism, which required a brand new flagship Visitor Centre was wanted to assist the poppular historic train ride experience. The world-class amenity and interpretation of the railway’s wealthy historical past is designed to satisfy the calls for of a growing and more and more subtle audience. Thylacine’s interpretive set up at the new Puffing Billy visitor hub, Lakeside Visitor Centre, presents a dynamic and emotive connection to Victoria’s favourite railway. Immerse your self within the nice outdoor with a selection of activities similar to climbing, biking, and picnicking along the railway route.

Today the century-old steam practice nonetheless runs on the mountain monitor between Belgrave and Gembrook. Puffing Billy’s new state-of-the-art Lakeside Visitor Centre sits adjoining to Lakeside station. It has a contemporary café with the most effective produce on provide in the region, a dedicated gift shop featuring locally designed treasures and a gallery of steam artifacts within the Lakeside Hall. Menzies Creek MuseumLet your visitors be actually immersed in some of Australia’s rarest and most unusual railway artifacts as they dine and dance the evening away at the Menzies Creek Museum.

The prepare winds its way by way of the picturesque Dandenong Ranges, simply east of Melbourne. Lush greenery, towering Mountain Ash timber, and fern gullies create a magical environment. Passengers can experience in open carriages, absorbing the contemporary air and breathtaking views. Puffing Billy Railway is a heritage slim gauge railway in the Dandenong Ranges east of Melbourne. The scenic Upper Ferntree Gully –  Gembrook line was certainly one of 4 slim gauge (2’6″) lines in-built Victoria.

Hop on board Puffing Billy for a journey of endless discovery by way of the Dandenong Ranges to the picturesque Emerald Lake Park. Discover an abundance of activities Emerald Lake Park has to supply including, strolling trails, playgrounds, model railway display, paddle boat rides and a seasonal wading pool. Discover wonderful wildlife and spectacular landscapes made for journey while sitting on the carriage sill of Puffing Billy’s open-side carriages; a truly iconic experience that cannot be found anywhere else on the planet.

Today, Puffing Billy Railway is a significant vacationer attraction and incites guests to come and experience a century old tradition. Ride within the open sides carriages because the historic steam trains proceed to run on their authentic mountain observe between Belgrave and Gembrook, in the pure surrounds of the magnificent Dandenong Ranges. Step into a timeless world of surprise with Australia’s favorite steam practice, Puffing Billy, positioned within the heart of the Dandenong Ranges and only one-hour east of Melbourne. The residing legend that is Puffing Billy was in-built 1900 to serve the native communities that lived within the hills, carrying anything from passengers to timber, livestock, potatoes and vegetation. Today, the railway is a century old not-for-profit steam railway that connects and enriches people with the past, the environment and each other.

Beat the heat with summer time actions like refreshing swims and thrilling water sports activities. In just one hour, benefit from the contemporary air of Sherbrooke Forest, cross the Trestle Bridge, and discover the Lakeside Visitor Centre and Emerald Lake Park. As with all 120-year-old steam locomotives, their race time varies primarily based on a number of factors, together with observe conditions, climate, and food (coal) intake leading into the race. Companion card holders travel free of cost onboard Puffing Billy’s day by day practice journeys, and their consumer (with an Australian Government issued concession or healthcare card) pays a concession fare.

Minor thefts have been reported to police with great vigour, yet allegations of child sexual abuse were by no means reported. Puffing Billy’s administration advised us they might not act to remove Whitehead on hearsay in 1985, yet it seems were in a position to take action in 1991. One document that survived Whitehead’s archival activity was a letter from a 17-year-old abuse survivor, banned from volunteering and determined to return. The victims’ voices rising from the historic material paint a heartbreaking image.Records of boys telling senior administration directly in regards to the sexual abuse they suffered, but administration not reporting these allegations to police. A mom trying to warn an organisation about offending committed against her son, whose integrity was known as into query because the organisation said it had no evidence of her contact. The investigation ranged over greater than five decades, from data in dusty archives in Belgrave and Emerald to the Public Records Office, police evidence and felony trial briefs, as properly as witness interviews.

We offer free parking and bathroom facilities, our stations and two carriages on every train are wheelchair accessible. Soak up the sights, smells and surroundings of Australia’s historic rail journey – Zig Zag Railway is simply quarter-hour from the Blue Mountains. Established in 1869, come and revel in a relaxing ride on the romantic, nostalgic, impressive steam locomotive because it hauls you over the Great Lithgow Zig Zag. During the following twenty years, two attempts have been made to revive the line as a tourist railway, but neither was capable of proceed. By 1991, the former railway had been fully eclipsed by trees, undergrowth and landslides – only the ruinous stays of the bridges have been still in place. In that year, the Walhalla Railway Taskforce was shaped with the ambitious aim of planning and fully reconstructing the road from Erica to Walhalla.

Puffing Billy’s visitor numbers are steadily increasing, inserting stress on the present facilities. The Puffing Billy Railway masterplan was developed to construct new visitor facilities and upgrade current railway services and rolling inventory. You can simply spend a leisurely day seeing the sights and exploring what this neighbourhood has to offer. If you are in search of things to see and do in the area, you may like to go to Sherbrooke Forest and 1000 Steps Kokoda Walk. The use of paints and other coatings is essential to maintaining the heritage locomotives as closely as potential to their authentic specifications.

It was solely because of the hard work of volunteers that the line was capable of be reopened. Pre-order your meals and spend the rest of your time making memories to treasure forever. After the practice journey, you’ll get to walk via the Dandenong Ranges at Grants Picnic Reserve. The railway has been nicely cared for and maintained by the Puffing Billy Preservation Society. The perform area is soundproofed, features the latest AV know-how, and contains an operable wall to divide the room.

This fantastic journey slowly winds via the hills, including the stunning Wrights forest and consists of four landmark trestle bridge crossings. Free for all train ticket holders, passengers also can discover the Menzies Creek Museum which is home to greater than eighty railway-related reveals. These include uncommon operational steam and diesel locomotives, an operational boiler house that providers steam engines and the Little Toot Café for all of your morning tea needs. Enjoy your entrée within the enclosed dining carriages before arriving on the distinctive perform venue, the Nobelius Packing Shed, where mains and desserts are served. The evening’s entertainers will make certain your night time out is pleasant with stay music that everyone is conscious of and loves! Whether you like to bounce or prefer to have a chat together with your fellow passengers, you will be sure to enjoy the ambiance of ‘The Shed’ till it is time to return to the practice.

Make your night even more magical by pre-ordering a Puffing Billy picnic box and blanket including a chef’s number of cheese, dips, meats, crackers and marinated greens. Sign as a lot as unlock our digital magazines and in addition receive the latest news, occasions, presents and associate promotions. It’s an icon and nothing brings again more childhood recollections than occurring a journey on Puffing Billy. The scent of the engines and the clunks and grinds of machinery as you enter the Belgrave platform, is all a half of the expertise. Add within the volunteers wearing conventional uniforms blowing whistles and waving flags – you feel like you are a half of the Thomas the Tank Engine story.

Add a classy twist of steam to your subsequent occasion, with choices to charter a prepare, rent exclusive carriages for your group, or take pleasure in First Class wine and dine experiences in fantastically restored heritage dining carriages. Plus, there are numerous experiences off the rails – from paddle boating to bike rent – to reconnect and encourage your group. Embodying the meandering rail route by way of the panorama, the visitors journey is nuanced around the bush panorama. Take within the magic of steam practice travel from the second you arrive with the sights and smells of the historic locomotive being prepared for departure and the evocative sound of the train’s whistle.

You may contemplate topping that up with some nice Aussie meals and wine for lunch and go on to meet some of Australia’s wonderful wildlife. We’ll get your day began with a journey through Melbourne’s jap suburbs and views of the Dandenongs in the distance. Embedded in the hard landscape of the entry plaza on the customer centre is an orientation map of the railway and its stations, materiality and proportions take cues from the locomotives and their era.

Puffing Billy is Australia’s favorite steam train and one of the most interesting preserved steam railways in the world. This century-old steam practice continues to run on its authentic mountain monitor in the magnificent Dandenong Ranges 40kms east of Melbourne. Puffing Billy operates every day besides Christmas Day, and is definitely accessible from Melbourne by Metro Train on the Belgrave Line. The iconic Puffing Billy Railway is a much-loved tourist attraction positioned inside the Dandenong Ranges, forty kilometres east of Melbourne.

Explore natural attractions and nationwide parks, from cascading waterfalls to scenic lookout factors, promising awe-inspiring views and memorable experiences. Nestled amidst Victoria’s picturesque landscapes, this iconic railway offers fascinating experiences for visitors of all ages. Whether you are craving thrilling adventures, serene nature escapes, or family-friendly outings, there’s something for everybody to get pleasure from alongside the Puffing Billy Railway route. Experience the history of railroading with our Media Storehouse Jigsaw Puzzle featuring Wylam Dilly and its iconic sister locomotive Puffing Billy. As the earliest surviving locomotives on the planet, these engineering marvels had been constructed by inventor and colliery official, George Stephenson. Piece together this captivating puzzle to deliver the magic of steam practice history into your home.

Sit again, chill out, and bask in the firm of loved ones with a journey onboard Australia’s oldest preserved steam railway. Get up close with fascinating wildlife at nearby zoos and aquariums, or take pleasure in indoor activities on rainy days, together with museums and artwork galleries. Take advantage of exclusive offers and discounts to take advantage of your visit. Embark on a self-guided adventure with detailed maps and informative guides, discovering hidden gems and secret spots at your personal tempo.

The Train of Lights present runs from June 28 to July 21, providing a magical expertise for all. Tickets are available to purchase from Thursday, May 23 at 10am, till sold out. Sign as much as our free publication and obtain weekly updates on occasions and things to do with children on the Mornington Peninsula.

You will also see plenty of individuals stopping to wave to the practice as you move strolling paths and country houses. When the steam engine is able to depart the depot, you’ll hear the prepare whistle blow. As you begin exiting Belgrave, there will be plenty of staff and guests waving to you. Have your picture taken with the driver, take within the majestic scenery of the Dandenong Ranges, and feel the excitement as you cross 4 historic timber trestle bridges to Gembrook. Saturday occasions race towards a practice for a fun household day in Emerald Lake Park. Sunday’s occasions has participants racing in opposition to two trains from Belgrave to Emerald Lake Park.

Ride the steam train and explore Emerald Park Lake or do the return journey to Belgrave after which take a hike within the forest. Step again in time when you take a ride on Puffing Billy – a superbly preserved steam practice – because it chugs by way of the Dandenong Ranges from Belgrave to Lakeside, Gembrook and Menzies Creek. It is probably not the speediest journey (once a year you’ll have the ability to actually race the prepare on foot – and win, if you’re fast enough), however ol’ Billy will take you through the lush forest setting in type. Local group members can benefit from the railway’s annual Locals Pass, offering up limitless journey on return prepare journeys, as properly as other special discounts.

After an unforgettable day within the Dandenong Ranges, you’ll head again to the Melbourne metropolis centre. If you wish to expertise the Puffing Billy railway, consider joining a tour! This Puffing Billy and Healesville Wildlife Tour will present you the best of the Dandenong Ranges. The Puffing Bily Railway was constructed within the 1900s as a way to join the distant areas in Victoria. On your next faculty tour expertise the magic of a day at Puffing Billy Railway.

Share the grandeur and charm of a three hour steam train journey while savouring the First Class menu aboard the ‘Steam Step aboard the Puffing Billy steam prepare for a scenic journey through the plush rainforests of the Dandenong Ranges. Journey onboard our open-sided carriages through the magnificent Dandenong Ranges, with lush fern gullies brushing previous and Mountain Ash trees towering overhead. Share the joy of steam locomotives, breathtaking views, and the rich heritage of Australian rail journey. Purchase a present voucher at present and create memories that can last a lifetime on Zig Zag Railway.

The Dandenong Ranges has been house to Puffing Billy Railway for 121 years, with generations of families making lifelong memories at the much-loved attraction. Recognising the importance of volunteers, and their invaluable contribution to the working and preservation of the historic railway, together with the restoration of trains, is another key focus of the changes. Don’t miss the time-honoured tradition of dangling your legs and arms over the sills of the open carriage on a train journey. Nothing beats the experience by way of the towering forests, round bends, over bridges and streams, waving at passers-by, all the while sitting on the carriage sill as Puffing Billy steams gently alongside the tracks. Most Puffing Billy trains commence their journey from Belgrave, the headquarters of the railway. You buy a ticket for a particular departure time in Belgrave and may return from Emerald on any scheduled prepare.

A Board member and Treasurer of the Society, were fully aware of specific allegations that Whitehead had sexually abused two Puffing Billy youth volunteers. For many years, younger victims with valid complaints about sexual abuse had been forced to seek justice for themselves, whereas steps had been taken to protect the status of the alleged offenders and the railway. Time and time once more, on listening to allegations, volunteer organisations acted to protect their own reputations on the expense of victims.

Its nostalgic appeal and cultural significance have attracted both locals and tourists alike, creating cherished reminiscences for generations. Puffing Billy will chug along the historic narrow-gauge monitor to Gembrook Station where guests will disembark for a 55-minute stopover. Here, you can heat up by the crackling open firepits with hot chocolate and stay acoustic music, and luxuriate in a sausage sizzle by the Rotary Club of Emerald and District.

It serves as a testament to human ingenuity and engineering prowess that continues to inspire generations right now. Preserved throughout the National Railway Museum’s collection, this print provides a glimpse into our rich industrial heritage whereas honoring those who contributed to its development. The legacy of Wylam Dilly and Puffing Billy endures as symbols of progress and innovation that eternally changed the course of transportation history. Drive from your central accommodation in a cushty air-conditioned car to the world-famous Puffing Billy steam practice. Enjoy this iconic steam train ride through the wonderful Dandenong Ranges, some of the well-liked tourist locations in Victoria.

Alternatively, you can sit within the Lakeside Visitor Centre Railway Café for a scrumptious menu full of seasonal produce. If you might be departing from Puffing Billy Railway’s Lakeside station, you can park on the Lakeside Visitor Centre on Emerald Lake Road. If you might be departing from Puffing Billy Railway’s Belgrave station, you presumably can park on the Woolworths Belgrave carpark, Belgrave Car Park at 2 Bayview Road, or Belgrave Town off the Burwood freeway on Hillside Court. The Metro Belgrave Station automobile park is currently being upgraded and will offer tons of of carparks upon completion. Sitting on the carriage sill is simply permitted on Belgrave to Lakeside station journeys. Both adult and child passengers can sit on Puffing Billy Railway’s carriage sills with their legs hanging out.

Including bushes ferns, floor ferns and the towering mountain ash eucalyptus bushes. The area is understood for having cool temperatures and is the perfect place to escape the summer season warmth. The journey by way of the Dandenong Ranges is what makes this an much more particular experience. The Dandenongs have small villages the place you’ll begin and finish your journey. Linear plan association The linear arrangement of perform is easy, legible and accessible.

This short, 25-minute journey takes you through Sherbrooke Forest and over the Trestle Bridge, ending on the Menzies Creek Museum the place you’ll find a way to see cool steam artifacts and diesel locomotives. In the 1900s, this railway delivered passengers, mail, livestock, timber, potatoes and plants between Melbourne and the small communities dwelling in the Dandenong Ranges. At The Nobbies, you presumably can explore the boardwalks and revel in panoramic coastal views of Bass Strait, stroll alongside the clifftop boardwalks with views out to the Nobbies and Seal Rocks. Puffing Billy Railway is committed to offering an pleasant expertise for everyone and has a spread of accessible facilities available for our passengers. Grab the fam and step via the long-lasting Jurassic World gates as dinosaurs are introduced (back) to life with this immersive expertise.

The centrepiece of our scheme is the ‘object theatre’ within the giant discovery house, Lakeside Hall. A putting unique engine, the well-known 3A Loco is the major target of the house and the story and the star of the show! In prime place, the 3A Loco is dropped at life with a sound, gentle, and particular results show alongside a skillfully produced film, bursts of ‘steam’ punctuate the dramatic story. This present periodically takes-over the hall to tell the extraordinary story of Puffing Billy, stunning and delighting guests of every kind. With A Day Out with Thomas Thomas the Tank engine pulls the practice via a part of the Puffing Billy track from Gembrook to Emerald plus there are different family-friendly activities to enjoy at Gembrook.

The Santa Specials function face painting, a Little Elves play and create workshop,  Australian animal exhibition, Santa photos, gifts and a 60-minute return journey via the Dandenong Ranges. Most folks select to journey the route between Belgrave and Lakeside / Emerald Lake Park. It’s additionally the most picturesque and well-known part of the monitor, permits a return journey back to Belgrave and takes 60 minutes a technique (2 hours return). I still keep in mind my first journey on the Puffing Billy Railway as a baby – the fun of seeing the large puffs of smoke from the steam practice, the magnificent timber of Sherbrooke Forest and the rumble over the Monbulk Creek Trestle Bridge. Puffing Billy was in-built 1900 to hold passengers, livestock, potatoes and timber to the small communities residing in the hills. More than 400,000 people climb aboard the heritage train every year.Puffing Billy Railway Board chair Tim North mentioned he was thrilled to announce the return of leg-dangling all the way to Gembrook station.

Children beneath 4 years of age usually are not permitted to sit down on the carriage sills. You’ll be sent the latest information, exclusive presents and competitions to your inbox. After a day of adventure on the train, venture to the gorgeous Phillip Island. Explore the picturesque Nobbies Boardwalk before witnessing the famous Penguin Parade . Puffing Billy continues to run on its unique mountain monitor from Belgrave to Gembrook in the magnificent Dandenong Ranges 40 kilometres east of Melbourne. The Puffing Billy Running Festival is an iconic working problem against the ability and velocity of the famous Puffing Billy steam locomotive from Belgrave to Emerald within the stunning Dandenong Ranges.

Puffing Billy is a neighborhood legend in the Dandenong Ranges and a agency favorite with guests, young and old and in-between too. Step back in time at Australia’s oldest and best-preserved heritage steam railway, Puffing Billy, located in the picturesque hills and only one hour from Melbourne. Sitting on the sills is what makes a visit on the Puffing Billy expertise more than just a steam train journey – it’s a second that I bear in mind as a child and I suppose my kids will keep in mind too. The Puffing Billy Steam Train and railway line is maintained by a dedicated team of volunteers.

From scenic prepare rides to immersive wildlife encounters, the options are countless for unforgettable experiences. Embark on a guided tour and delve into the rich historical past and natural wonders of Puffing Billy Railway. Expert guides will lead you through lush forests, charming villages, and iconic landmarks, offering fascinating insights along the way. With lush fern gullies brushing past your open aspect carriage and Mountain Ash bushes towering overhead, the entire household will love using the Puffing Billy steam practice on your subsequent weekend journey or college holidays excursion. With a particular whistle that travels throughout the hills, the train winds its way via towering forest, round bends and over timber trestle bridges, while youngsters onboard wave at passers-by. Our tour departs from Melbourne CBD and just an hour’s drive may have you standing on the platform at Belgrave Station able to climb aboard.

At their peak, they rise to more than 630 metres and are cloaked in lush rainforests of Mountain Ash timber (the tallest flowering plant within the world), waterfalls, rolling hills and steep valleys. The region is home to the very famous Puffing Billy Railway, quite a few artwork and craft stores and cafés offering scrumptious selfmade produce. With a range of scrumptious picnic packs out there, pre-order your meals and spend the relaxation of your time making memories to treasure forever.Located adjoining to Lakeside station sits Puffing Billy’s new Lakeside Visitor Centre.

There is a fleet of steam and diesel locomotives, as well a variety of carriages together with the enduring Holiday class tour vehicles with window sills to sit on. Dangle your legs from the carriage, an experience many Victorians have grown up with. Puffing Billy steam train operates on a century old railway with a proud history of serving locals, being preserved by volunteers, and creating memorable journeys for anyone who climbs aboard. Located adjacent to Lakeside station sits Puffing Billy’s new state-of-the-art Lakeside Visitor Centre. Travel via the magnificent Dandenong Ranges, with lush fern gullies brushing past and Mountain Ash bushes towering overhead. Puffing Billy makes for a wonderful opportunity to chill out and breathe in the fresh air while the prepare makes its way via the temperate rainforest.

The Board’s main objective is to assist the victims of child sexual abuse perpetrated by any grownup member of Puffing Billy Preservation Society (PBPS) against its youth members. In addition to this major aim, the Board accepts the findings and suggestions of the Ombudsman. Apologise publicly to any volunteer at Puffing Billy who became a victim of kid sexual abuse perpetrated both by Robert Whitehead or some other grownup member of Puffing Billy. I recognise it is tough – and sometimes unfair – to act on hearsay and innuendo.

The Train of Lights will travel through Emerald Lake Park, Cockatoo and Gembrook. Thanks to Puffing Billy’s signature open-side carriages, you ought to have front-row seats to the journey’s mountains, forests, valleys and iconic timber trestle bridges. Function areas can be hired independently or mixed with our steam practice journeys, together with non-public constitution trains, exclusive carriages for teams, and onboard dining in enclosed heritage first-class carriages. Experience the time-honoured tradition of sitting on the carriage sill – a real thrill for young and old! Ride in open-sided carriages over the rolling hills, down the valley and into the forest on the original 24km mountain observe between Belgrave and Gembrook and enjoy the simplicity and beauty of the region on board our Excursion practice journey. Prepare for a day brimming with excitement as you discover the various vary of activities available.

But for a group of boys abused by trusted grownup volunteers, the Railway shaped their lives in a very totally different way. Robert Kingsley Whitehead was convicted of 24 counts of child sexual offences in 2015, dying in prison later that year. Whitehead – who had been convicted of offences in opposition to youngsters in 1959 – was involved for many years with the railways, together with Puffing Billy, the place he gained access to numerous innocent volunteers. Puffing Billy is the darling of the Dandenongs and a World Famous Steam Train journey through beautiful Australian forest scenery. Leaving the Belgrave Station on a daily schedule, passengers of all ages can dangle their legs from the carriages and wave madly on the people who stand by the monitor along the finest way to watch. This morning you will take pleasure in some good quaint fun and the most stunning rainforest in Victoria.

Zig Zag Railway is a family friendly venue offering guests the possibility to expertise heritage steam travel on the original rail path down the picturesque western escarpment of the Blue Mountains – nearly exactly as it was in the late 1800s. The railway was reopened as a vacationer operation in 1962, because of the onerous work of a dedicated staff of volunteers. In the a long time since, the picture of the steam engine winding its means via the temperate rainforests and across the Monbulk trestle bridge has turn into synonymous with tourism in Victoria. The complete family can enjoy a fantastic day out with everyone’s favorite little blue engine, as it takes passengers on a 35-minute practice experience departing from Gembrook’s heritage platform by way of to Fielder station and again. However, doing a self-guided trip to the Dandenongs is so easy and a whole day can easily be spent up here.

Puffing Billy have a spread of scrumptious picnic and lunch packs available for adults, children, couples and households. These can be found for pre-order along with your train tickets and may be collected at Belgrave and Lakeside station. Take in the lush fern gullies brushing past the open aspect carriages and Mountain Ash timber towering overhead. A journey on the Puffing Billy Railway is a superb alternative to loosen up and breathe in the recent air while the train makes its way through the temperate rainforest. Zig Zag Railway offers guests a variety of various journey options providing a novel opportunity to step again in time and expertise the thrill of touring by rail because it was accomplished prior to now. We runs trains Friday/Saturday/Sunday as soon as per fortnight, see our tickets page for dates.

Discover numerous wildlife on a safari adventure and explore the pristine wilderness surrounding Puffing Billy Railway. Marvel on the stunning national parks with their lush rainforests and rugged mountains, providing unique alternatives for exploration. Unwind on tranquil beaches, absorb the solar, and revel in swimming, surfing, or just lounging on the sand.

Additionally, the present may be witnessed traveling between Emerald Lakeside and Gembrook stations each evening in the course of the school holidays, offering a breathtaking sight for spectators of all ages. There are also several specialty prepare occasions taking place all year long such as ‘Day Out with Thomas’, ‘Jazz on Puffing Billy’, ‘Rock N Roll Train’ and ‘Murder Mystery Train’. To explore the range of experiences that are out there to be booked, please go to their website by following the under link.

Experience the fun of adventure amidst breathtaking pure beauty, from bushwalking by way of pristine forests to exploring hidden caves. Create cherished recollections with family-friendly actions, together with interactive reveals and hands-on workshops. Escape the hustle and bustle of metropolis life with a soothing day journey aboard the long-lasting steam train, transporting you to charming destinations full of historical past and allure. Puffing Billy presents a variety of experiences, together with a full-day journey to Lakeside or Gembrook paired with a pre-purchased picnic, to shorter trips to Menzies Creek which comes with morning tea and entry to the Menzies Creek Museum. The museum is house to over eighty exhibition items and offers guests a glimpse of the previous together with rare operational railway artefacts. Pre-purchase a picnic pack to take pleasure in as you journey over the hills, down the valley and into the plush forest on the original mountain monitor or maintain onto your afternoon snacks and set lunch up by Emerald Lake Park.

Our design ensures the Puffing Billy story embraces guests with an attractive narrative and spatial experience that evokes everybody from locomotive buffs to curious day-visitors. Puffing Billy is an icon of Victorian tourism, its new customer hub, Lakeside Visitor Centre, enhances customer connection to the residing historical past of the well-known railway and to the spectacular Dandenong Ranges. Step right into a timeless world of surprise with Australia’s favorite steam train, Puffing Billy, situated within the coronary heart of the Dandenong Ranges. Whether it’s energetic journey, a contact of nostalgia or cultural experiences, there’s something for everybody at Puffing Billy Railway. Next up, you’ll board our ‘Special Tour Train’ that can take you on a 45min journey to the historic township of Gembrook.

Open every day with free entry to passengers and visitors, go to puffingbilly.com.au/lakeside-visitor-centre for more data. You’re welcome to pack your individual snacks and lunch, explore the native companies inside Emerald or pre-purchase a grazing box to gather from the Lakeside Visitor Centre. The prepare will take you past old depots including Menzies Creek, Emerald and Lakeside. Here, it is feasible for you to to go to a museum, check out the reward store, and enjoy a scrumptious lunch or snack.

We’ll begin you on your journey and provide training, priceless abilities and expertise. We even have nice spots for a picnic, static carriages to dine in, a memento store and the Container Café. Construction of the 44km line from Moe commenced in 1904 and was finally accomplished in early 1910, with the last a part of the railway past Erica requiring a lot of bridges and cuttings via the mountainous terrain of the district. On three May 1910, the railway was formally opened and services commenced, with an expectation that it will assist Walhalla to a model new age of prosperity.

Get ready for a tee-rrific time at Funhouse, the newest addition to the Holey Moley fam! Moving away from conventional putters and balls—this 9-hole adventure is all about interactive challenges like throwing video games, reminiscence checks, and putt-putt pong. Boasting spine tingly standup, pub crawls and household friendly ghost tours, prepare to bypass the methods and take in the treats from October 25-27. The certificates combines Chinese design components with a Victorian forest scene. The Puffing Billy Railway passes in the background, connecting the design to the birth theme.

You can enjoy the iconic steam train journey all the way to Menzies Creek station. Today the steam practice supplies a memorable journey for tourists and locals alike. The magic is in the whistle blowing, the steam billowing and the train chugging out of the station. Ride over the rolling hills, across iconic timber trestle bridges and thru the open farmlands that surround Gembrook Station.

Seated at The Cube bar, you can get pleasure from limitless non-alcoholic drinks (option for bubbles should you like) while you savour imaginative, spring-inspired pastries. Treat someone (or even yourself) to an unforgettable journey by way of time on our  historic railway. Thomas and all his fun-loving associates are again for more adventures this March and April, for the highly anticipated return of a Day out With Thomas at Puffing Billy’s Gembrook station. The Board will work with the Department as required by the Department, in relation to helping all victims of child sexual abuse perpetrated by grownup members of the PBPS towards its youth members.

Step back in time at Australia’s oldest and best-preserved heritage steam railway, Puffing Billy, located within the picturesque Dandenong Ranges and just one hour from Melbourne CBD. Visit the new state-of–the-art Lakeside Visitor Centre at Emerald Lake precinct to learn extra concerning the railway and the area. After an investigation and modifications to the carriage sills, the leg-dangling ban was lifted for a part of the practice journey — from Belgrave to Lakeside station — in 2022. From the beginning it was a scenic attraction for individuals residing in Melbourne. You can benefit from the beloved tradition of sticking your legs exterior the window of Puffing Billy Railway’s historic open-side carriages.

Along the historic narrow-gauge track, the train comes alive with a mesmerising array of lights and colors, casting an enchanting glow towards the night time sky. For a singular experience, board the century old Puffing Billy steam prepare and revel in a scenic journey to the gorgeous Dandenong Ranges. The Train of Lights is back on the tracks for 2024 and ready to captivate passengers with a magical winter journey through the Dandenong Ranges. Australia’s favourite steam prepare Puffing Billy shall be your conductor for this two-and-a-half-hour round journey that illuminates the pure great factor about the area with thousands of dazzling lights. Along the method in which you’ll cross the historic Monbulk Creek trestle bridge, wave at the pleasant locals from their backyards and spot the Cardinia Reservoir within the distance.

The many visitor varieties are catered for; the everyday Puffing Billy customer, and Park customers. Within the logical arrangement are many options corresponding to versatile to separately zone use areas, and centralised ticketing, retail and F Baby change amenities can be found in any respect stations, and a microwave for warming bottles and child meals is also obtainable within the baby change room at Belgrave Station. Volunteers within the refreshment rooms at other stations also can assist you to heat bottles and child meals. You’re required to verify in at the Puffing Billy reserving workplace earlier than the departure of your practice journey. Check in on the reserving office closes half-hour before the prepare leaves, so arrive early and discover the world before you depart.