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Puffing Billy and Penguins Tour

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Puffing Billy and Penguins Tour
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Private day tour Puffing BIlly & the famous penguin parade

Your own transport for your private group of friends, family or work colleagues

Description

Private Puffing Billy and Penguins Tour

Private Day Tour Combination: Two Attractions in One Day

What’s Included

  • Private transport for you and your guests; groups of 2–11 passengers

  • Personal driver, guide, and host

  • Admission to Puffing Billy Railway – enjoy a one-way steam train ride; we’ll meet you at the final stop

  • General admission to the Phillip Island Penguin Parade

  • Admission to Victorian National Parks as an approved Parks Victoria tour operator

  • Complimentary chilled bottle of water per person

  • All tolls and fuel included in the transport service – no hidden fees

For larger groups of 12–24, please contact our office.

What’s Excluded

  • The cost of food or beverages

What Makes the Day Special

  • Let our professional local tour guide share insights and their love of the Dandenong Ranges

  • We handle all ticket bookings for Puffing Billy and the Penguin Parade, so you don’t have to

  • Enjoy a scenic drive just one hour from Melbourne

  • Dangle your legs from the open train carriage sills and breathe in the fresh rainforest air

  • Witness a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience as little penguins return to their natural habitat

  • Relax in our air-conditioned, late-model vehicle

  • Our drivers know when to step in and when to step back – ensuring a perfect balance of guidance and privacy throughout the day

What to Expect

  • Pick-up times may vary depending on your location – final times will be confirmed in your itinerary

  • Your group will have ample time to explore Lakeside Station and enjoy lunch

  • You’re welcome to dine at the on-site restaurant or bring your own food

Itinerary

  • Pick-up – Melbourne CBD (please provide your exact address for collection)

  • Travel – Approx. 1 hour 15 minutes

  • Arrival at Puffing Billy – Our friendly tour guide will assist with ticket collection and take photos of your group boarding the train

  • Train Ride – One-way journey (~1 hour) to Lakeside Station; your driver will meet you there

  • Free Time – Visit the gift shop or dine at the station restaurant

  • Travel to The Nobbies – Enjoy the boardwalk and Blowhole observation area

  • Travel to Penguin Parade – Explore the Discovery Centre or grab a meal

  • Penguin Viewing – 2 hours to secure good seating and watch the penguins come ashore

  • Return Travel – Your driver will take you back to your original pick-up location

  • Drop-off – Arrival at your original location

**Please note: due to Puffing Billy’s popularity train availability is limited, advanced booking with us is advised. Last minute availability can be possible please proceed with booking and will confirm your booking; no payment will be taken until train your journey is confirmed.

Inclusions

  • Admission to all attractions on the day
  • Private Bus or Vehicle
  • Door to Door Pick up
  • Chilled bottle of water for every guest
  • Goods & Services Tax (GST)
  • Accredited Quality Tourism Australia
  • Accredited Safe Transport Victoria
  • No hidden surchages or costs

OPTION 1

OPTION 2

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  • Select your ideal date & adjust group size
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Price Table

Monday To Friday
2 people – $469 per person
3 people – $356 per person
4 people – $299 per person
5 people – $265 per person
6 people – $243 per person
7 people – $227 per person
8 people – $214 per person
9 people – $205 per person
10 people – $198 per person
11 people – $191 per person
**Based on Adult passengers
2 people – $559 per person
3 people – $416 per person
4 people – $345 per person
5 people – $302 per person
6 people – $273 per person
7 people – $264 per person
8 people – $247 per person
9 people – $234 per person
10 people – $224 per person
11 people – $215 per person
**Based on Adult passengers
2 people – $654 per person
3 people – $479 per person
4 people – $392 per person
5 people – $339 per person
6 people – $305 per person
7 people – $291 per person
8 people – $271 per person
9 people – $255 per person
10 people – $243 per person
11 people – $233 per person
**Based on Adult passengers

*Please note Sunday & Public Holiday tours attract a surcharge.

Availability

Frequently Asked Questions

Ideally 4-5 weeks in advance to be assured we can secure tickets for the train ride. That not to say we can’t get last minute tickets, We prefer to get an early booking, that way our team can work with you and your group for the perfect tour.
Our Private 1 Day Puffing Billy and Penguin Parade Tour is great for families or groups traveling together that don’t want to share the day with strangers on a public tour. Be aware that public tours sell by the seat and usually have a set itinerary. On this tour the vehicle is exclusively for you and your group. Also, another great advantage is that you can leave when you are ready to move on or return to your accommodation. On a public tour you must wait on the bus for everyone to return.
No not at all. The day is a fantastic outing for families and a popular option. Step back in time and see first hard how steam train travel was really like.
Yes! We will collect you from your private address, office or convenient meeting point. All Melbourne Hotels included. This is a door to door private wine tour. If you would like to be returned to a different address please advise our booking office. We pick up from Melbourne and surrounding suburbs and from down the Peninsula. Extra fees may apply if you are outside our usual pickup zone.
We highly recommend you bring a warm coat. As the ocean wind can be quite cool even in summer. During winter warm gloves ,hat and jackets are advised. You are not undercover so bring rainproof jackets where possible. The penguins parade will still go ahead in the rain so be ready.
No, unfortunately as a private tour specialist all our clients don’t want to share the day with anyone else. The exclusivity of the tour, you and your group will have the vehicle all to your self.
The duration of the tour is 10-12 hours from pick up in Melbourne. Phillip Island is 2 hour drive from Melbourne. Timing for the tour does alter as the tour time is dependent on the arrival of the Penguins at Sunset.
Both adult and child passengers can sit on Puffing Billy Railway’s carriage sills with their legs hanging out. Children aged between 4-13 years must be supervised by an adult.
Puffing Billy Railway is a historic heritage steam railway built in 1900 that still carries passengers through the heart of the beautiful Dandenong Ranges. In the 1900s, this railway delivered passengers, mail, livestock, timber, potatoes and plants between Melbourne and the small communities living in the Dandenong Ranges.
You can eat and drink on Puffing Billy Railway – just take your rubbish with you at your next stop. You can bring your own food and drink or purchase takeaway options, such as at the Belgrave station refreshment room and the Lakeside Visitor Centre Railway Café.

Approaching The Day Of Your Tour

Our office will be available via call/text/email . If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Final balances and last minute adjustments will be required no later than 48 hours prior to tour commencement. 

Particulars

Things to know

  • 8:00 AM Melbourne CBD
  • N/A
  • 10:00pm
  • No smoking
  • No Drinking on the bus
  • Committed to Sustainability tourism
  • Australian Quality Tourism Accredited
  • Accredited bus operator Victoria
Proceeding  with a booking
  • Type or select the number of guests in your private group and choose your ideal date. Click on time shown in the booking calendar. Start time will vary based the penguins arrival time. 
  • Please choose from tour options and add-ons. Proceed to check and provide your pick up details and select option for payment. 
  •  If your tour includes meals we will contact your chosen lunch venue availability to update you as soon as possible.
  • Our booking office will send you an itinerary and tax invoice. We will then email and secure your admission to all relevant attractions .
  • We will require the pick-up/drop-off address for the day.
  • We will contact you the week of the tour date with any final adjustments. On occasion, someone can’t make it on the day. That’s fine, we just need to know 48 hours prior.
  • The day of the tour, the driver will arrive 15 minutes early, giving the group time to settle on the bus ready to go.

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