Puffing Billy and Healesville Sanctuary Day Trip

Drive approximately one hour from Melbourne through the hills of the Dandenong Ranges with giant Mountain Ash and Ferns trees and take in spectacular views of Melbourne’s skyline en-route to Puffing Billy Station.

Step back in time and enjoy a memorable one-hour journey on Australia’s most notable narrow gauge railway aboard the restored Puffing Billy Steam Train. Keep an eye out for wildlife as you weave in and out of the forest-covered hills aboard Puffing Billy’s iconic open carriages between Belgrave and Lakeside. You may also see kookaburras, cockatoos, lyrebirds, and crimson rosellas in the stunning Sherbrooke Forest. Get to know one of the many dedicated volunteers helping to preserve this 121-year-old steam railway. The ticket includes entry to the state-of-the-art Lakeside Visitor Centre, which includes a railway cafe, mini-museum, and gift shop where guests will have time to purchase morning tea and/or lunch (at their own expense).

Back on the bus we drive through the Yarra Valley en route to Healesville township. Guests will have two hours to explore Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary, Australia’s premier wildlife and nature sanctuary which is home to over 200 species of Australian birds, mammals and reptiles in a natural bushland setting. You can get up close to koalas, kangaroos, wombats, emus, cockatoos, parrots, and many more. Within the sanctuary, you can witness the amazing and exciting Eagles Fly demonstration. Walk through aviaries and ponds and see the nocturnal house with the shy platypus.

Our final stop for the day will be a visit to the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery with over 250 chocolate, truffle and ice-cream varieties! Guests can see the chocolatiers at work, browse the chocolate shop and indulge in a decadent hot chocolate or coffee (at their own expense) before relaxing on the return journey to Melbourne. Relax on the return journey to Melbourne.

Driving Distance: 200km.

*Supplier reserves the right to alter the itinerary route and winery stops due to unforeseen circumstances, such as group sizes, special events and third-party operator closures.