FixPrice Taxi to Airport
Dandenong Ranges Forest & Puffing Billy
Dandenong Ranges

Dandenong Ranges Forest & Puffing Billy

Steam train through fern gullies, towering mountain ash, and a high-tea finish in Olinda.

9 hours total
180 km round trip
1–11 guests
Easy pace
Pickup from 08:30

A grandparents-with-grandkids classic — short drives, a real steam train, and giant trees.

FamiliesKidsElderly / Mobility-friendlyFirst-Time Visitors

What you'll experience

1
Puffing Billy steam train (one-way, with car pickup at Lakeside)
2
1000 Steps Kokoda Track Memorial Walk (optional)
3
Sherbrooke Forest mountain-ash boardwalk
4
Mount Dandenong SkyHigh observatory
5
Olinda village high-tea & antique shops
6
Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens

Stop-by-stop itinerary

~4.2h driving · ~5.8h on the ground

  1. Stop 1 · 08:30

    Melbourne CBD pickup

    Hotel pickup. Driver pre-books a one-way Puffing Billy ticket and a high-tea reservation in Olinda.

  2. 1000 Steps Kokoda Track Memorial Walk
    Stop 2 · 09:30

    1000 Steps Kokoda Track Memorial Walk

    45 km
    50 min drive

    A steep but short forest climb commemorating the WWII Kokoda campaign — 45 minutes return through fern gullies. Skip if mobility is limited.

    60 min on site
  3. Belgrave — board Puffing Billy
    Stop 3 · 10:45

    Belgrave — board Puffing Billy

    8 km
    15 min drive

    1900-built narrow-gauge steam train. You ride the historic Belgrave–Lakeside service through forest, viaducts, and the famous open-window carriages.

    15 min on siteOne-way Belgrave–Lakeside $58 adult
  4. Aboard the steam train
    Stop 4 · 11:00

    Aboard the steam train

    13 km
    60 min drive

    A one-hour, 13km ride through Sherbrooke Forest. The Trestle Bridge at Selby is the Instagram shot. Driver meets you at Lakeside.

  5. Stop 5 · 12:00

    Emerald Lake Park lunch

    Reunion with the car at Lakeside, then a 5-minute walk to the lake-side café. Paddle boats, lawns, and BBQs if you brought your own.

    75 min on site
  6. Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens
    Stop 6 · 13:25

    Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens

    12 km
    20 min drive

    5-hectare ornamental garden built around a lake-and-boatshed. Spring rhododendrons, autumn maples, and giant rainforest tree ferns.

    50 min on site
  7. Sherbrooke Forest
    Stop 7 · 14:35

    Sherbrooke Forest

    6 km
    12 min drive

    Stroll the easy Lyrebird Track — 100m mountain-ash trees and (with luck) a real lyrebird mimicking 20 other birds. Step-free first 800m.

    40 min on site
  8. Mount Dandenong SkyHigh
    Stop 8 · 15:30

    Mount Dandenong SkyHigh

    12 km
    20 min drive

    633m summit lookout over Melbourne city, Port Phillip Bay, and the You Yangs. Maze, English-style garden, café and the famous Wishing Tree.

    45 min on site
  9. Stop 9 · 16:25

    Olinda village high tea

    4 km
    10 min drive

    Tea-room high tea — Miss Marple's, Pied Piper, or Ranges at Olinda. Three-tier scones-and-cake stands, a perfect English-village finish.

    60 min on site
  10. Stop 10 · 17:30

    Melbourne CBD drop-off

    50 km
    60 min drive

    Easy 1-hour drive back via the Maroondah Highway.

Included

  • Private vehicle for 9 hours
  • Fuel, tolls, GST
  • Driver-arranged Puffing Billy ticket and high-tea booking
  • Bottled water and a kids' colouring activity
  • Step-free routing for grandparents on request

Not included

  • Puffing Billy ticket (~$58 adult one-way)
  • High tea (typically $45–$65pp)
  • SkyHigh entry ($8 per car, included in vehicle price by driver)

What to bring

  • A light jumper — the Ranges are 5°C cooler than the city
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Camera for the Trestle Bridge
  • Small change for paddle boats at Emerald Lake

Best season

Year-round. Spring (rhododendrons), autumn (maples) and summer (cool escape) are all excellent.

FAQ — Dandenong Ranges

Can we ride the full return Puffing Billy instead of one-way?

Yes — the round trip is 2.5 hours and you stay on at Lakeside. We'll trim Sherbrooke Forest or SkyHigh to make room. Adds about $35 per ticket.

Is the steam train suitable for prams?

Yes — there is a designated pram carriage on every service. Tell us when booking; the driver will reserve it.

Do legs dangle out of the train?

Open-window carriages still allow seating with feet on the running board on quiet sections — staff supervise. Children love this; nervous travellers can choose enclosed carriages.

Is this trip OK in light rain?

Yes — the train runs in any weather, the gardens are even prettier in mist, and lunch and high tea are indoors. We'd only reschedule for major storm warnings.

More day trips you'll love

Browse all 10 →
Great Ocean Road & Twelve Apostles
Easy

Great Ocean Road & Twelve Apostles

The world-famous coastal drive — surf coast, koalas, and limestone cathedrals at sunset.

12 hrsDuration
470 kmDistance
1–11Guests

Best for first-time visitors and photographers chasing the iconic Twelve Apostles shot.

AdventurersPhotographersFirst-Time Visitors
From
$849
total per vehicle (sedan)
View tour
Phillip Island Penguins & Wildlife
Relaxed

Phillip Island Penguins & Wildlife

Little Penguins parading at sunset, koalas at eye-level, and Australian heritage on a working farm.

11 hrsDuration
280 kmDistance
1–11Guests

Built for families with kids — short transfers, animal encounters, and a guaranteed sunset wow.

FamiliesKidsWildlife
From
$679
total per vehicle (sedan)
View tour
Yarra Valley Wineries & Healesville Sanctuary
Relaxed

Yarra Valley Wineries & Healesville Sanctuary

Cellar doors of the world's best cool-climate Pinot, paired with iconic native wildlife.

10 hrsDuration
220 kmDistance
1–11Guests

Designed for couples and small groups who want to taste serious wine without worrying about the drive home.

Wine LoversFoodiesCouples
From
$649
total per vehicle (sedan)
View tour