Puffing Billy & Dandenong Ranges

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Departing from your ship, you'll board a motorcoach for a picturesque ride into the green Dandenong Ranges on your way to the first stop in your adventure. As you leave the city, you'll pass through thriving suburbs and climb steadily into the Ranges renowned for their contrasting scenery of tall mountain forests and spectacular views of the Cardinia Dam.

You'll arrive at Belgrave train station where you'll board one of the most popular steam heritage railways in the world. Known as the Puffing Billy, this restored antique narrow-gauge train still travels along the same the mountain track in the lush Dandenong Ranges, just as it did in the early 1900s. During your 30-minute ride, you'll journey through thick forest and flourishing fern-filled gullies, crossing magnificent timber-trestle bridges up to 280 foot long and recapturing the romance and charm of bygone days on this scenic journey. The authentic open-sided carriages are the best way to see the stunning scenery.

Your motorcoach will meet you at Menzies Creek station to bring you to your next destination, Grants Reserve.   This park in the Sherbrooke Forest is home to Mountain Ash, luxurious tree ferns and colorful native birds. Be sure to watch for kookaburras and bellbirds, not to mention the surprisingly tame Australian parrots. You can even hand feed the crimson rosella.  Enjoy a delicious morning tea before reboarding your coach for the ride back to your ship.

Special Notes:

During total fire ban days, Puffing Billy is powered by a diesel locomotive. The train is not air-conditioned. On Total Fire Ban days when the fire rating is Code Red or Extreme, Puffing Billy will not operate at all.

Child Price:

12 years & under only