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 1–24 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 please book in advance to avoid disappointment, Puffing Billy train journey is extremely popular all year round 


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

OPTION 1

OPTION 2

Add dates for exact prices

Price Table

Monday To Friday
1 person – $947.31 per person
2 people – $541.72 per person
3 people – $406.52 per person
4 people – $338.92 per person
5 people – $298.36 per person
6 people – $285.62 per person
7 people – $264.26 per person
8 people – $248.24 per person
9 people – $235.79 per person
10 people – $225.82 per person
11 people – $217.67 per person
12 people – $221.36 per person
13 people – $214.80 per person
14 people – $209.18 per person
15 people – $204.31 per person
16 people – $200.05 per person
17 people – $196.29 per person
18 people – $192.94 per person
19 people – $189.95 per person
20 people – $187.26 per person
21 people – $184.83 per person
22 people – $182.61 per person
23 people – $180.59 per person
24 people – $178.74 per person
**Based on Adult passengers
1 person – $1150.52 per person
2 people – $643.32 per person
3 people – $474.25 per person
4 people – $389.72 per person
5 people – $339.00 per person
6 people – $319.49 per person
7 people – $293.29 per person
8 people – $273.65 per person
9 people – $258.37 per person
10 people – $246.14 per person
11 people – $236.14 per person
12 people – $238.29 per person
13 people – $230.43 per person
14 people – $223.69 per person
15 people – $217.86 per person
16 people – $212.75 per person
17 people – $208.24 per person
18 people – $204.23 per person
19 people – $200.65 per person
20 people – $197.42 per person
21 people – $194.50 per person
22 people – $191.85 per person
23 people – $189.43 per person
24 people – $187.21 per person
**Based on Adult passengers
1 person – $1382.16 per person
2 people – $759.14 per person
3 people – $551.47 per person
4 people – $447.63 per person
5 people – $385.33 per person
6 people – $358.09 per person
7 people – $326.38 per person
8 people – $302.60 per person
9 people – $284.10 per person
10 people – $269.31 per person
11 people – $257.20 per person
12 people – $257.59 per person
13 people – $248.25 per person
14 people – $240.24 per person
15 people – $233.30 per person
16 people – $227.23 per person
17 people – $221.87 per person
18 people – $217.10 per person
19 people – $212.84 per person
20 people – $209.01 per person
21 people – $205.53 per person
22 people – $202.38 per person
23 people – $199.50 per person
24 people – $196.86 per person
**Based on Adult passengers

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

Availability
Penguin Parade – Upgraded seating options

General admission is already included in your tour. You may select one of the upgraded viewing options below to register your interest.

Upgrade prices are additional and subject to availability. Our team will contact you after booking to confirm availability and the extra cost before any upgrade is arranged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ideally 6-8 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

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.

Recent Reviews

Posted on Google Google
Daniela Maugeri profile picture
Daniela Maugeri
15 August 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Grazie ad Adam! Guida super esperta e professionale! Ci ha coccolati e guidati per un giorno intero, rendendo la nostra esperienza meravigliosa!!! Consigliato a tutti!!
Posted on Google Google
Satoru Seimiya (ss) profile picture
Satoru Seimiya (ss)
10 August 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Went to Great Ocean Road and it was a great tour. Got to see beautiful sceneries and animals like kangaroo, koala, cockatoo, etc. Adam is very informative and great guide.
Posted on Google Google
Mollie Prak profile picture
Mollie Prak
3 August 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Adam was very considerate and helped us so much with everything. I would highly recommend him to any group of family or friends. He even helped us took a video while we were on puffing Billy train ride. He planed everything precisely and perfectly. We were a family of 7. We really had a great afternoon for both puffing Billy and chocolatories yarra valley
Posted on Google Google
Nate Lim profile picture
Nate Lim
25 July 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
We had a fantastic experience with Australian Journeys on our Phillip Island tour. Our guide was incredibly friendly, helpful, and informative throughout the day, and made the entire trip feel relaxed and enjoyable. He shared plenty of interesting insights, looked after everyone very well, and was always happy to answer our questions. Marsya and I had a wonderful time and would definitely recommend Australian Journeys to anyone looking for a well-organised and memorable tour of Phillip Island. Thank you for making our trip so special!
Posted on Google Google
Angela Savini profile picture
Angela Savini
24 June 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Great experience. Definitely recommend
Posted on Google Google
Christian Norwiz Buenviaje profile picture
Christian Norwiz Buenviaje
30 May 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Our family of 13 had a wonderful time during our Half day Puffing Billy Tour with Australian Journeys. Adam was very accomodating during the booking process and during the tour as well.
Posted on Google Google
Tube Y profile picture
Tube Y
14 May 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Adam is nice and friendly guys. He introduced a lot to us with quick response. Good pick for Netflix wine (seventeen row). Go for it everyone.
Posted on Google Google
Saraf Ashish profile picture
Saraf Ashish
14 May 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Perfect of Vacation , everything is planned organised by them, very friendly and understanding. Had an amazing time, Thank You.
Posted on Google Google
Karen Staebler profile picture
Karen Staebler
19 April 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
The tour was smooth and enjoyable, and the guide was excellent… very kind and helpful.
Posted on Google Google
Ron S profile picture
Ron S
10 April 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
My family and I (including 2 young kids) took a tour to Phillip Island for the Penguin Parade with Adam of Australian Journeys. Great guide, great itinerary, great car and truly a great trip!!

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