![[PRIVATE TOUR] Puffing Billy and Dandenong Mountains in Melbourne](https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/attractions-splice-spp-720x480/09/e5/2d/4e.jpg)
[PRIVATE TOUR] Puffing Billy and Dandenong Mountains
Pick your date
Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Non-refundable booking. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 1 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is [PRIVATE TOUR] Puffing Billy and Dandenong Mountains worth booking?
[PRIVATE TOUR] Puffing Billy and Dandenong Mountains is a 7-hour experience in Melbourne, Australia, from $473 per person. It scores 40 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 1 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 40 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (1)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $473 per person
A unique mountain experience taking in the spectacular sights of the beautiful Mount Dandenong. Ride the famous Puffing Billy steam train as it whistles it way through lush forest and fern gullies whilst admiring the nat
What you get
About this experience
A unique mountain experience taking in the spectacular sights of the beautiful Mount Dandenong. Ride the famous Puffing Billy steam train as it whistles it way through lush forest and fern gullies whilst admiring the natural environment. Feed native birds such as cockatoo,Galas, king parrots and rosellas in the wild. William Ricketts sanctuary a magical place of indigenous sculpture placed around ferns and old growth forest. Truly a journey for the senses! Drivng through quaint mountain villages and stopping for lunch and some shopping time at Olinda. We may even encounter some Australian wildlife to admire .
What's included
Included
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- Puffing Billy train tickets
- Entry into Sky High summit viewing at Mount Dandenong
- complimentary bottled water
Not included
- Meals and beverages other than complimentary bottled water
What you'll see and do
Puffing Billy Playground
Have fun taking a ride on Puffing Billy, a beautifully preserved heritage steam train that winds it way through pristine forest, fern gullies and through the mountain ranges whilst marvelling at some spectacular scenery and sounds of the old train whistle blowing.
90 minutes here · Admission included
William Ricketts Sanctuary
William Rickets sanctuary. A mythical sculpture garden depicting Aboriginal indigenous culture set amongst 80 metre high mountain ash trees, forest and fern gullies. Art and nature come together in this amazing magical setting.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Olinda
Olinda is a quaint mountain village. Take time to wander around to see the lovely boutiques, craft and antique shops. There is an array of fine food to enjoy for lunch or indulge in an award winning pie from "pie in the sky.
40 minutes here
Mount Dandenong
Arrive at the summit of Mount Dandenong for some spectacular views overlooking Melbourne City, Port Philip bay and surrounding mountain ranges whilst being surrounded by towering mountain ash trees, fern gullies and gardens or relax in the Sky high cafe whilst taking in the sights.
30 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en, fr
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 7 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Australian Private Tours
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
![[PRIVATE TOUR] Puffing Billy and Dandenong Mountains in Melbourne, photo 2](https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/attractions-splice-spp-720x480/09/eb/b1/61.jpg)
![[PRIVATE TOUR] Puffing Billy and Dandenong Mountains in Melbourne, photo 3](https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/attractions-splice-spp-720x480/09/eb/b1/72.jpg)
![[PRIVATE TOUR] Puffing Billy and Dandenong Mountains in Melbourne, photo 4](https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/attractions-splice-spp-720x480/09/eb/b1/90.jpg)
![[PRIVATE TOUR] Puffing Billy and Dandenong Mountains in Melbourne, photo 5](https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/attractions-splice-spp-720x480/09/eb/b1/9e.jpg)
Traveler reviews
1 verified traveler reviews for [PRIVATE TOUR] Puffing Billy and Dandenong Mountains. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Amazing service and experience!
We booked 2 tours with Australian Private Tours, Dandenong mountains and the great ocean road. Cameron was quite attentive and called me to explain in detail our travel itinerary even when he is overseas. He was very efficient and would reply to my email very promptly. Our tour guide, Francois was fantastic! He is really amazing and also easy going. His positivity is contagious, which made us all happy during the tour. He is considerate and attentive to each of our needs. It was very relaxing on tour with him as he didn’t rush us during the day. Australian Private Tours is truly worth it. With such fantastic service and the price is really affordable too. It is one of our best trips and I will definitely choose this company again in the future.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $473 to $1100
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 40
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
[PRIVATE TOUR] Puffing Billy and Dandenong Mountains: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Melbourne.
How much does [PRIVATE TOUR] Puffing Billy and Dandenong Mountains cost?
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Prices start at $473 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Melbourne usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does [PRIVATE TOUR] Puffing Billy and Dandenong Mountains take?
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Plan for about 7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Melbourne is not rushed.
Is [PRIVATE TOUR] Puffing Billy and Dandenong Mountains worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 40 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 1 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable outdoors in Melbourne, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule [PRIVATE TOUR] Puffing Billy and Dandenong Mountains?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is [PRIVATE TOUR] Puffing Billy and Dandenong Mountains suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book [PRIVATE TOUR] Puffing Billy and Dandenong Mountains?
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Around 0 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Melbourne can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Melbourne and add a light layer if any part of the 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does [PRIVATE TOUR] Puffing Billy and Dandenong Mountains start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Melbourne within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Melbourne?
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On Outty we rank every Melbourne experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Melbourne: Yarra Valley Wine, Gin, Whisky and Chocolate Tour, Yarra Valley Wine Tour w Exclusive Gin, Cider & Chocolate Tasting, Yarra Valley Wine Tour from Melbourne - Choc, Gin & Good Times. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Melbourne?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Melbourne?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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