Thank you for choosing Puffing Billy Railway as a learning destination. You will find everything you need here to plan your excursion at the Railway.
Our inspiring guided education programs support the Victorian Curriculum F-10 Version 2.0 and the VEYLDF and include pre and post resources for you and your students to use before or after your visit to Puffing Billy Railway.
A self-guided excursion means you and your students can choose your own journey of discovery at the Railway with a journey on Puffing Billy and the ability to explore the new Lakeside Visitor Centre at your leisure.
Education Programs at Puffing Billy Railway incorporate multiple learning activities with a focus on an exploration of history through storytelling, a journey into nature, endless discovery, emotional and cultural connection, adventure and fun. We hope you enjoy your adventure through the magnificent forest of the Dandenong Ranges onboard Puffing Billy.
The following information will help you plan your excursion at Puffing Billy Railway and provide guidance to make the process as easy as possible. Please contact the Education team for any further questions by emailing [email protected]Â or calling 03 9757 0700.
Our guided excursion programs primarily commence at Belgrave Station. An Education Officer will meet and greet your school group at Belgrave Station where your group will board Puffing Billy for a 50-minute journey from Belgrave to Lakeside Station.
Bus and coach parking
- BELGRAVE STATION | Bus drop off points are available at Belgrave Station (map here).
- LAKESIDE VISITOR CENTRE | Free parking is provided for buses and coaches at the Lakeside Visitor Centre Carpark for the duration of your visit. Follow signage for directions. Where possible we recommend using the drop-off and pick-up bays (as marked on the map below).
If you require alternative start points and options, please contact our bookings team at [email protected] or phone 03 9757 0700. Have a look at the Fares & Timetables page for details about dates and times the different train journeys operate.
Where do parents park?
Most Education bookings (unless a special booking is made) include a one-way journey on Puffing Billy Railway from Belgrave Station to Lakeside Station. If the bus can drop you back to Belgrave, there are several parking options in Belgrave.
As an alternative, adults can book a return ticket, Lakeside to Belgrave in the afternoon, for an additional cost prior to their visit if they need to return to Belgrave (see train timetable).
For more information, visit the Getting Here page.
Please arrive 60 minutes prior to your booked time at Belgrave Station (or an alternatively booked starting station). This will allow time for an introduction to your program, toilet stop and snack before boarding the train. We'll have staff and/or volunteers ready to help you organise your group and process payment. Coaches and minibuses can offload students at the designated zone at Belgrave Station.
If you have a student or staff member in a wheelchair, there are limited wheelchair spaces available onboard our heritage carriages. Please call our Bookings team on 03 9757 0700 prior to travelling so that we can assist you in accommodating your needs.
Puffing Billy Railway has a range of accessible facilities available. For more information, visit our Accessibility page.Â
We have a Sensory Map available for the Lakeside station and Lakeside Visitor Centre precinct. Download Sensory Map
Ever wondered what Puffing Billy's train whistle and engine sound like? Have a listen here!Â
Use this social story to plan a visit to Puffing Billy Railway with your students. Read it online or download the PDF document to print.
Download the Puffing Billy Social Story for Education Groups (PDF 1.3 mb)
Puffing Billy Education Programs encourage visiting groups to begin their journey at Belgrave Station where they will board the train and disembark at Lakeside Station .Where possible, we recommend your group plans to carry their bags while they journey on Puffing Billy Railway and visit the Lakeside Visitor Centre and Emerald Lake Park. Â
Alternatively students can leave their bags on the bus (if the bus is staying with them for the whole day) before they board the train at Belgrave station. Students can then get access to their bags ready for lunch at Lakeside.
Toilets are available at our Main Stations. Due to our heritage carriages, there are no toilet facilities on board the trains. You are strongly encouraged to arrive at least 1 hour before the train is due to leave so there is enough time for a toilet stop before boarding the train. Accessible toilets are available at Belgrave, Lakeside and Gembrook stations. There are ambulant toilets at Menzies Creek Station and The Lakeside Visitor Centre has a Changing Places Toilet available.
Toileting procedures are the responsibility of the school teachers and leaders.
A range of food and beverage options are available for purchase from our stations and the Lakeside Visitor Centre café, including pies, sandwiches, hot and cold drinks as well as ice creams and sweets. Additionally, a range of Puffing Billy merchandise is for sale, including the very popular Puffing Billy flags!