Take advantage of the magnificent Dandenong Ranges and journey aboard Puffing Billy at your own pace. Puffing Billy is an endless learning opportunity for students. Explore the Lakeside Visitor Centre and make a connection to the natural environment, whilst the iconic train makes its way through the temperature rainforest.
Contact the Education team to make your self-guided booking by calling 03 9757 0700 or emailing [email protected].
SELF-GUIDED EXCURSION RATES
Belgrave to Lakeside
| Fare type | One way ^ | Return |
|---|---|---|
| Kinder, P-10 students* | $23.40 | $29.70 |
| VCE students* | $37.35 | $47.25 |
| Adult* | $46.35 | $59.40 |
*These discounted rates only apply during school terms and are not available during school holidays or on public holidays.
^ Note: Single Journeys require bus pick up from Lakeside or Menzies Creek.
Self-Guided Group Ratios
| Group Type | Teacher/Leader to Student Ratio |
|---|---|
| Self-Guided (all age groups) | 1:20 |
| Special Needs Groups | 1:1 |
Timetable
To view our current timetable, please visit the Fares & Timetables page.
PLEASE NOTE
No person will be allowed to sit on the carriage sill during
a guided or self-guided excursion.
VISIT EMERALD LAKE PARK
Journeying on Puffing Billy to Lakeside Station and the brand new Lakeside Visitor Centre gives students an amazing opportunity to explore the natural environment found nearby at Emerald Lake Park. Whilst visiting with students, take some time to enjoy the environment by discovering some of these walking trails, activities and businesses nearby!
About Emerald Lake Park
Walking Trails
Plan your day
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 45 minutes prior to your booked time at Belgrave Station (or an alternatively booked starting station). This will allow time for a safety brief, 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.
Our station platforms are not at the same height as our carriage doors; however, ramps are available to provide easy wheelchair access on many of our Excursion Trains. The wheelchair ramp width is 75cm.
Pathways to Belgrave, Lakeside and Gembrook stations are all wheelchair accessible.
To assist passengers with reduced mobility and to avoid our steep pathway entrance to Belgrave Station, passengers may be dropped off at Gate 4, which is in front of our Belgrave Station building in Old Monbulk Road (map here). The area from the station to the platform is on one level.
The Lakeside Visitor Centre has a Changing Places facility. Please note that there are no accesible toilets available at Menzies Creek station or Museum.
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!