PUFFING BILLY AND HEALESVILLE SANCTUARY TOUR

BLACK OUT DATES
● 25DEC-26DEC, 01JAN, All Victorian Public Holidays.

fare options:

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Travel back in time aboard the restored Puffing Billy
    Steam Train and experience Australia’s most notable
    narrow gauge railway.
  • Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary offers over 200 species of
    Australian birds, mammals, and reptiles for guests to
    explore at their leisure.
  • Visit the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery
    with over 250 chocolate products.
  • You will have the opportunity to travel through the
    magnificent tall forests of the Dandenong Ranges.
  • Visit scenic Emerald Park Lakeside with its new Railway
    heritage themed Visitor Centre.
puffing billy map

What you can actually see!

TOUR DESCRIPTION

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.
*Autopia Tours 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.

● Puffing Billy 1-hour train excursion from Belgrave to Lakeside (one-way)
● Admission into Healesville Sanctuary Wildlife Park
● Hosted by an experienced driver-guide
● Air-conditioned comfortable coach travel
● Comprehensive local tour commentary
● Selected Melbourne inner-city pick-up/drop-off points

● Any meals or tastings not indicated within the itinerary – at the guest’s own expense. We provide
plenty of opportunities for guests to support locals and buy lunch along the way.
● Hotel transfers pre/post tour itinerary to a nominated pickup point.
● Personal travel insurance is recommended
● Personal expenses

● Photo ID required
● 1L refillable water bottle
● Hat, sunglasses & sunscreen
● All-weather appropriate clothing
● Comfortable shoes
● Small day pack 5-7kg
● Money for snack and meals
● Camera to capture every moment!

● 000 – Pegasus Apartments Hotel – 206 A’Beckett St, Melbourne
● 000 – Melbourne Marriott Hotel – cnr Exhibition St & Lonsdale St, Melbourne
● 000 – Space Hotel, 380 Russell St, Melbourne
● 000 – Grand Hyatt Melbourne – Russell St entrance Melbourne
● 000 – Adina Apartment Hotel – 189 Queen St, Melbourne
● 000 – The Savoy Hotel – 630 Little Collins St, Melbourne
● 000 – Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders St cnr Market St, Melbourne
● 000 – Crown Towers – 8 Whiteman St Queens Bridge St, Southbank
Customlinc web mapping pickup location codes

Please ensure you have checked the average temperatures for the time of year you are travelling and
have packed adequate clothing. In the event of rain or inclement weather, your experience will still go
ahead, unless contacted by the provider.packed adequate clothing.

– Mandatory passenger details are required at the time of booking: phone number.
– Child fare prices apply to children aged between 0 to 12 years old.
– Infants aged 0 to 4 are not permitted to travel on adult laps and must be safely restrained within a
child protective seat. Infant seats are free of charge and must be requested at the time of booking.
– This terrain is not suitable for mobility-impaired travellers, wheelchairs, walkers, prams or strollers.
Limited storage space on our vehicle, baggage kept to 1 x 5-7kg day bag per person.
– Autopia Tours reserves the right to alter the route or itinerary schedule during seasonal weather
fluctuations and/or during park closures.
– Please re-confirm your tour details within 7 days prior to departure on 03 9393 1333.

The customer shall comply with all Government (Federal, State and Territory) COVID entry restrictions and
vaccination guidelines or testing requirements for entry into Australia and/or at the time of travel for tour
and transport services. Our business is a fully vaccinated workplace.
Guests are responsible for all COVID-related relocation expenses should they need to leave the trip midway and refunds will not be provided. All expenses will need to be claimed through travel insurance.

FAQ

Puffing Billy is a family-friendly attraction, offering special events and rides that appeal to children of all ages.
Puffing Billy and Healesville Sanctuary offers cafes and picnic areas for visitors to enjoy a meal or snack.
Puffing Billy is a famous historic steam train in Australia. It runs through the scenic Dandenong Ranges, located just east of Melbourne. The train offers a nostalgic journey over bridges and through fern gullies, providing a glimpse into Australia’s railway heritage.
Healesville Sanctuary is a wildlife reserve located in Victoria, Australia. Visitors have the opportunity to observe a variety of native Australian animals in their natural environment. The Sanctuary offers close encounters with koalas, kangaroos, wombats, emus, and the platypus, along with bird of prey demonstrations and guided walks to educate visitors about wildlife conservation.
Both attractions aim to provide accessibility for all visitors. Puffing Billy offers accessible carriages upon prior notice, and Healesville Sanctuary has accessible paths and facilities throughout the site. Please note that we operate private passenger vehicle services. Our buses are not equipped with wheelchair ramps, allocated floor space, adjustable restraint systems, or safe storage for mobility aids, prams, or strollers. If you have a collapsible travel wheelchair and can board our vehicles unassisted, please call to check wheelchair measurements and itinerary inclusions.

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