Puffing Billy Railway is Australia’s foremost operating steam railway, and one of the largest narrow-gauge heritage steam railways in the world. Its history spans a period of 120 years. Remarkably, for more than half that span, it has operated as a volunteer-based not-for-profit body. Puffing Billy Railway is operated by the Puffing Billy Railway Board.
The narrow-gauge line between Belgrave and Gembrook in Victoria survives as one of the most intact examples of pioneering railway infrastructure in Australia. Its steeply graded banks, trestle bridges, line-side telegraph, signalling, and rolling stock are of an era elsewhere replaced by modern technology. This railway takes its “era of significance”, dating from 1900 to 1930, seriously. This emphasis has held the Organisation in good stead over the years and is the key to understanding the philosophy that drives the Puffing Billy Railway Board in achieving preservation goals.
Why collaborate?
Puffing Billy Railway is proud to offer a collaboration opportunity for tourism businesses in our region.
- By collaborating with Puffing Billy Railway, your business will be aligning with a much-loved tourist attraction.
- Together, we will aim to increase the awareness of our region and length of stay.
- Puffing Billy Railway will recommend you as a place for our visitors to STAY, DO or EAT in conjunction with their visit.
Tourism Marketing Package Prospectus Download
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WEBSITE
1 million web visitors per year
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FACEBOOK
70,000+ followers
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INSTAGRAM
65,000+ followers
86,000+ #puffingbilly posts -
E-NEWSLETTER
49,000+ subscribers
How to qualify
All Puffing Billy Railway collaborators will fall into one of the following categories:
Accommodation providers including hotels, caravan parks and B&Bs in the Dandenong Ranges, Yarra Valley and Melbourne's Eastern Suburbs which provide a suitable base for visitors to Puffing Billy Railway. We collaborate with a range of accommodation providers to suggest to our visitors (families, couples, groups and corporates).
Attractions and other points of interest in the Dandenong Ranges, Yarra Valley and beyond which are easily enjoyed in conjunction with a visit to Puffing Billy.
Eateries located in the Dandenong Ranges and beyond where visitors can enjoy a meal before or after their visit to Puffing Billy Railway.
Benefits and commitments
As a Puffing Billy Railway collaborator, you have the following benefits and commitments:
YOUR BENEFIT: Showcase your business on the Explore the Region page of this website with a high-resolution image, 150-word description and website link. Puffing Billy Railway will provide you with instructions on how to submit your content for the website listing.
YOUR COMMITMENT: To showcase Puffing Billy Railway on your website. We will provide you with a high-resolution image, 150-word description and website link.
YOUR BENEFIT: Promote your business in Puffing Billy Railway's social media channels with 2 x specific posts per year. You will be provided with instructions on how to submit content for these two posts, and it is up to you whether you choose to promote your business in general or focus on an upcoming event/promotion.
YOUR COMMITMENT: To publish 2 x posts promoting Puffing Billy Railway on your social media channels. Puffing Billy Railway will provide you with content, which often aligns with a new product or ticket launch.
Puffing Billy Railway displays a poster on our platforms encouraging visitors to explore places to EAT, STAY and DO nearby with a QR code linking back to the Explore the Region page on this website where the website listings outlined above are published. Please note that there is no option for collaborators to display individual posters about their businesses on Puffing Billy Railway's platforms.
- Collaborators can participate in seasonal campaigns by providing special offers and vouchers to use when promoting to visitors.
- Collaborators also have the option of providing a special offer/value add for inclusion in Puffing Billy Railway's Volunteer Recognition Program.
- Puffing Billy Railway may provide you with a special promo that you can provide to your visitors as a value add.
If you are currently using e-newsletters as part of your marketing, we can collaborate with you on newsletter features across both audiences.
Next steps
The onboarding process for collaborators follows these steps:
- EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORM | To start the process of becoming a collaborator, please complete our Expression of Interest Form below.
- PUFFING BILLY VISITS YOUR BUSINESS | After reviewing your Expression of Interest, a member of our team will arrange a visit to your business.
- ADVICE ABOUT APPROVAL | Provided you are approved, Puffing Billy Railway will send you a Joint Marketing Agreement to sign to formalise our collaboration.
- SIGN AGREEMENT | You will be asked to return the signed agreement to us via email.
- COLLABORATION STARTS | Once the agreement is signed, Puffing Billy Railway considers our collaboration started.
- WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT | Puffing Billy Railway will supply you with content for our listing on your website and vice versa. We will also let you know how to submit content for your two included social media posts. Please note that it is your responsibility as a collaborator to submit the content about your business for the website listing and social media posts - after all, you are the one who knows your business the best!
Express Interest Now
- The Joint Marketing Agreement is valid for 12 months from the date of signing.
- The inclusions of the tourism marketing package is subject to change.
- All content provided will be reviewed by Puffing Billy Railway prior to publication.
- All collaborators' businesses must be aligned with Puffing Billy’s family branding and Safeguarding Children and Young People Statement of Commitment.
- A collaborator is required to place a Puffing Billy Railway listing on their website and supply content for their listing on the Puffing Billy Railway website within 30 days of the commencement of the Joint Marketing Agreement.
- A collaborator is required to post about Puffing Billy Railway on their social media channels twice during the twelve-month contractual period. The collaborator is expected to publish posts based on content received and at the times specified by the railway.
- Puffing Billy Railway reserves the right to accept or refuse any collaborator Expression of Interest at their discretion.
- After the initial twelve-month period, Puffing Billy Railway will consider an extension if the collaborator's obligations have been met.
- Puffing Billy Railway reserves the right to cancel any Joint Marketing Agreement with a collaborator if their business practices during the period of the agreement conflict with the organisation’s family branding or Safeguarding Children and Young People Statement of Commitment.