Getting to Puffing Billy from Melbourne by train or car

Puffing Billy starts at Belgrave in the Dandenong Ranges, about 40 km east of Melbourne. Most trips start there. This guide covers how to get to Belgrave. Check the sources below for current details.

PB Watch is an unofficial service. We are not part of Puffing Billy Railway.

By train

Belgrave is the end of the Belgrave line on the Melbourne suburban train network. Use the Public Transport Victoria journey planner at ptv.vic.gov.au to find times from your station. Puffing Billy's Belgrave station is next to the suburban station. The planner shows the current trains and any works on the line.

Train is a good choice if you want to avoid parking. Allow extra time for weekend works and for the walk to the booking office.

By car

Belgrave is a drive from central Melbourne. The time depends on traffic. Weekends and school holidays can be slow. Parking in Belgrave is limited at busy times. Read the signs, check for time limits and arrive early. We do not have current parking details. Ask the railway or the local council.

How early to arrive

The railway asks you to check in at the booking office 60 minutes before departure. Check-in closes 30 minutes before. The train does not wait.

Plan to arrive early enough to park or walk from the station, and then check in. A margin of 15 to 30 minutes helps on a busy day.

Tickets first

Do not drive to Belgrave without a ticket. Every ticket must be booked before the day. The station sells no tickets on the day.

If your day is full, see what to do when Puffing Billy is sold out.

Make a day of it

A common plan is Belgrave to Lakeside. A full trip takes about three hours: one hour out, time at the lake, one hour back. Your return train is set by your outbound train. See the timetable explained.

Tours from the city

Some tour companies offer a day trip from Melbourne that includes Puffing Billy. They may list Puffing Billy with other stops, such as a wildlife sanctuary. A tour is a different product from a direct ticket. Check what is included, who runs the tour and what the refund terms say.

What to bring

• Your ticket confirmation.
• A jumper or rain jacket. The carriages have open sides.
• Water.
• Cash or a card for the lake stop.