Puffing Billy Steam Train and Penguins Wildlife Tour in Melbourne
Melbourne, Australia

Puffing Billy Steam Train and Penguins Wildlife Tour

Outty Ranking 73 4.8 · 48 traveler reviews12 hoursFrom $168

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

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Age 12 and under

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From, per person$168
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Outty Ranking

73/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.8/5

Based on 48 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Puffing Billy Steam Train and Penguins Wildlife Tour worth booking?

Puffing Billy Steam Train and Penguins Wildlife Tour is a 12-hour experience in Melbourne, Australia, from $168 per person. It scores 73 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 48 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
73 / 100
Rating
4.8/5 (48)
Duration
12 hours
From
$168 per person

Embark on an unforgettable day tour from Melbourne that combines two of Victoria’s most iconic experiences. Start your adventure with a nostalgic ride aboard the historic Puffing Billy steam train, winding through the br

What you get

    About this experience

    Embark on an unforgettable day tour from Melbourne that combines two of Victoria’s most iconic experiences. Start your adventure with a nostalgic ride aboard the historic Puffing Billy steam train, winding through the breathtaking Dandenong Ranges. After soaking in the beauty of lush fern gullies and towering mountain ash trees, head to Phillip Island for an awe-inspiring encounter with nature. Witness the world-famous Penguin Parade as hundreds of adorable little penguins make their way from the ocean to their sandy burrows at sunset—a truly magical and heartwarming experience you won’t want to miss!

    What's included

    Included

    • All fees and taxes
    • 1 hour train ride on Puffing Billy
    • Licensed Guide
    • General admission into Penguin Parade
    • Return transport to/from Melbourne

    Not included

    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Snacks

    What you'll see and do

    1. Puffing Billy Railway

      Enjoy a 1-hour steam train journey on Puffing Billy through lush rainforests, embracing the time-honored tradition of dangling your legs out of the train.

      60 minutes here · Admission included

    2. Wander through the new Lakeside Visitor Centre, a cultural hub with top-notch facilities.

      30 minutes here

    3. The Nobbies

      At The Nobbies, you can explore the boardwalks and enjoy panoramic coastal views of Bass Strait, stroll along the clifftop boardwalks with views out to the Nobbies and Seal Rocks. You'll be able to take in an array of stunning sights as you explore the boardwalks, and if you're lucky, you might even see the blowhole in action!

      40 minutes here

    4. Penguin Parade

      Experience the amazing sight of little penguins waddling home from the ocean to their burrows at Phillip Island. Home to the largest little penguin colony in the world, you can watch these amazing seabirds every night of the year from our general viewing platform and boardwalks.

      120 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 45 minutes before departure.

    Options you can book

    • General Viewing

      Pickup included

    • Penguins Plus

      Upgrade to Penguins Plus: Superb up-close viewing from the tiered seating in Penguins Plus. Pickup included

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 10 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Explore Australia Tours

    Know before you go

    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Specialized infant seats are available
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • The remaining hours of the tour are for the travel time

    Photos

    Puffing Billy Steam Train and Penguins Wildlife Tour in Melbourne, photo 2Puffing Billy Steam Train and Penguins Wildlife Tour in Melbourne, photo 3Puffing Billy Steam Train and Penguins Wildlife Tour in Melbourne, photo 4Puffing Billy Steam Train and Penguins Wildlife Tour in Melbourne, photo 5Puffing Billy Steam Train and Penguins Wildlife Tour in Melbourne, photo 6Puffing Billy Steam Train and Penguins Wildlife Tour in Melbourne, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 47 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    9 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    3 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Photo opportunities

    2 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Value for money

    2 mentions

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Traveler reviews

    47 verified traveler reviews for Puffing Billy Steam Train and Penguins Wildlife Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    40
    4 star
    6
    3 star
    1
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    clairebK7863EL · August 2026

    Fabulous!

    A fantastic day out. Well organised from start to finish and a great tour guide who was knowledgeable and friendly. A really great day out.

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! 🌟🚂🐧 We’re thrilled you had such a fantastic day and found everything well organised from start to finish. It’s great to hear your guide helped make the experience even more enjoyable with their friendly and knowledgeable approach. Thank you for travelling with us! 💜

    via Tripadvisor

    66cooperg · July 2026

    Great tour and experience

    Great tour and experience would 100% recommend for anyone wanted to explore Victoria and our tour guide Stuart was amazing and definitely going to book again

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! 🌟🚂🐧 We’re thrilled you had such a great experience exploring Victoria with us. Stuart will be delighted to hear your kind words! Thank you for recommending us, and we’d love to welcome you back for another adventure soon. 💜

    via Tripadvisor

    N9439UVjadeh · July 2026

    Best tour guide ever

    We had an absolutely amazing time on our tour to PuffingBilly and to the penguins. Lachie was an incredible guide who filled the day with so many fun facts and humour. He had every member of the group engaged and enjoying every moment. I’m lucky enough to have experienced Lachie as a host twice now and if we could request a particular guide I would totally do another trip with him. Best value for money and the best experience.

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! 🌟🚂🐧 We’re thrilled you had such an amazing day at Puffing Billy and the Penguin Parade. Lachie will be delighted to hear your kind words about his humour, knowledge and ability to keep everyone engaged. It’s fantastic to know you’ve enjoyed two tours with him! We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back again soon. 💜

    via Tripadvisor

    Justyna_C · July 2026

    One of the best trips in my life!

    I was on this trip in January but didn’t share my review earlier. Catching up now! It was the most amazing day I could’ve imagined! Gary- the tour guide- was so professional and friendly. I experienced the beauty of Australia during the steam train ride and had so much fun! 🤩 the whole itinerary was wonderful and I truly recommend the penguin premium option for a truly unforgettable experience! Thank you! Thanks to this experience I still continue using the app. So positively surprised I was!

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! 🌟🚂🐧 We are thrilled to hear this was one of the best trips of your life! Gary will be delighted to hear your kind words about his professionalism and friendly approach. We are so glad you enjoyed the itinerary, Puffing Billy and the Penguin Premium experience. Thank you for recommending us and for sharing such a special memory! 💜

    via Viator

    Flyer37358033841 · June 2026

    Family-Friendly Tour Guide Extraordinaire

    A well-deserved shout-out to our tour guide/ driver anthony! Friendly, knowledgeable, and incredibly patient with the kids, making the whole experience enjoyable for everyone. Thank you for keeping the tour fun, engaging, and family-friendly. Highly recommended!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Response from the operator: Hi Thanks for the awesome review. Anthony is a ripper guide and we are lucky to have him for sure. So glad the whole family enjoyed the trip. I will pass this onto him. Have a great day. Thanks Marnie Explore Australia Tours.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    12 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $168 to $299
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    17
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Why this scores 73

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)84
    Review evidence (18% weight)53
    Booking momentum (14% weight)46
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)77
    Local standing (8% weight)57
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Puffing Billy Steam Train and Penguins Wildlife Tour: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Melbourne.

    How much does Puffing Billy Steam Train and Penguins Wildlife Tour cost?

    +

    Prices start at $168 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 Puffing Billy Steam Train and Penguins Wildlife Tour take?

    +

    Plan for about 12 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 Puffing Billy Steam Train and Penguins Wildlife Tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 73 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 48 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Melbourne, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Puffing Billy Steam Train and Penguins Wildlife Tour?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Puffing Billy Steam Train and Penguins Wildlife Tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 12-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Puffing Billy Steam Train and Penguins Wildlife Tour?

    +

    Around 17 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?

    +

    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 12-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Puffing Billy Steam Train and Penguins Wildlife Tour start and how do I get there?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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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