Get an email when Puffing Billy seats open.
Sold-out days often get seats back when people cancel.
Set up an alertPuffing Billy books out early
- Full a month aheadPopular days are usually sold out about a month before. Every ticket must be booked before the day, so you cannot turn up and buy one.
- No waiting listThe booking site shows a day as full. It does not tell you when a seat comes back.
- Checking by hand failsYou would need to reload the page all day, every day, to catch a free seat.
- Good news isPeople cancel and reschedule their bookings from time to time. Each cancelled booking puts seats back on sale. Other people can book those seats at once.
We watch for cancellations so you do not have to
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We check the Puffing Billy booking site about every 20 minutes for those dates.
- 01Choose dates and partyVerify your email with a 6-digit code. Then pick the days and who is travelling.
- 02We watch the booking siteWe only read the page. We never book or pay for you.
- 03You book on the official siteWhen seats are open, we email you. You then buy tickets from Puffing Billy Railway.
About the ride
Puffing Billy is a preserved steam railway in the Dandenong Ranges, about 40 km east of Melbourne. The railway describes itself as Australia’s premier preserved steam railway.
Trains run on the original mountain track from Belgrave to Gembrook. The carriages have open sides. They pass through fern gullies and under tall Mountain Ash trees.
Know before you book
- Pre-book everythingEvery ticket must be booked before the day, including for infants and toddlers. The station sells no tickets on the day.
- Set return journeysThe outbound train you choose sets your return time. Open return tickets do not exist.
- Check in earlyCheck in at the booking office 60 minutes before departure. Check-in closes 30 minutes before. The train does not wait.
- Carriage seatsYou get a carriage on arrival. You sit in the same carriage on the way back.
Sitting on the carriage sills
- Age 4 and overChildren under 4 may not sit on the sills.
- Ages 4 to 13An adult must watch them. One adult may watch up to 2 children within arm’s reach. An adult on a sill watches one child who is also on a sill.
- Stay seatedWristbands must stay visible. No standing and no climbing.
Where the trains run
| Journey | Days |
|---|---|
| Belgrave to Lakeside | Every day except Christmas Day |
| Belgrave to Gembrook | Friday to Sunday |
| Lakeside to Gembrook | Friday to Sunday |
| Belgrave to Menzies Creek | Friday to Sunday |
Check the official site for times and prices. Facts on this page come from the Puffing Billy Railway website and can change.
Puffing Billy guides
- Belgrave, Lakeside or Gembrook: which Puffing Billy journey? Belgrave to Lakeside suits most first-timers. Gembrook is a long day.
- What to do at Lakeside after the Puffing Billy ride Plan the gap between your outbound and return trains at Lakeside.
- How far ahead should you book Puffing Billy? Book early for weekends, holidays and events. Weekdays give you more room.
- Does Puffing Billy release cancelled tickets? Tickets are non-refundable, yet seats can come back. What we know and what we do not.
Questions
Can I get a refund?
No. You pay for the watching, not for finding seats. Your rights under Australian Consumer Law stay the same. Read the terms.
What happens if no seats open?
The alert runs to its last date. We email you only when seats are open for your party. If no seats open, you get no email and the payment stays the same.
How many emails will I get?
We check about every 20 minutes. We email you at every check while seats are open for your party. If seats stay open for hours, you get an email each time.
What does an alert cost?
A$10, paid once before the alert starts. An alert covers 1 to 14 days and up to 10 people. After you pay, the dates and the party cannot change. Email us if you need a change. Stripe hosts the payment page. We never see your card number.
Do you book the tickets for me?
No. We only read the booking page. When we email you, you buy tickets on the Puffing Billy website. Seats can sell out before you click.
Can I change my alert after I pay?
No. After payment, the dates and the party cannot change. Email us if you need help.