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Escape the city on this day tour from Melbourne: ride the Puffing Billy steam train through the forests of the Dandenong Ranges and meet Australian animals at Healesville Sanctuary. Enjoy about an hour on board from Belgrave to Lakeside, dangling your legs out of the carriage in time-honoured tradition as you take in the temperate rainforest. After the train ride, wander through Healesville Sanctuary to see koalas, kangaroos, soaring birds of prey and other iconic Australian animals up close. Return transport from Melbourne pickup points makes the day easy.

Ride the Puffing Billy steam train
through the Dandenong Ranges
From your pickup point in central Melbourne, travel about an hour by bus to the Dandenong Ranges. Board the legendary Puffing Billy steam train and spend about an hour crossing lush temperate rainforest from Belgrave to Lakeside, enjoying scenic views along the way.
Sit with your legs dangling out of the carriage as tradition dictates, and feel the steam engine's smoke and the fresh forest air. The tour is led by an English-speaking guide, and an audio guide in several languages, including Korean and Japanese, is included.
Take a break at the Puffing Billy Visitor Centre

After the train ride, take about an hour's break at the Puffing Billy Railway Visitor Centre. Meals and drinks are not included, so purchase them separately if needed.
Meet Australian animals at Healesville Sanctuary

A 45-minute bus ride brings you to Healesville Sanctuary, where you'll spend about 2 hours exploring. Get up close to some of Australia's best-loved animals, including koalas, kangaroos and soaring birds of prey.
Afterwards, it's about a 1.5-hour bus ride back to the drop-off points in central Melbourne.
※ Wildlife lives in its natural habitat, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.
※ The itinerary is for reference only and may change depending on local conditions.
Meeting point :
Melbourne hotel pickup
Meeting point information:
Pickup takes place at the location you selected when booking. Pickup times are 8:25 AM at Mercure Melbourne Southbank (9 Riverside Quay, Southbank), 8:35 AM at Regent Theatre (191 Collins St) and 8:45 AM at Her Majesty's Theatre (219 Exhibition St). InterContinental Melbourne by IHG and Mail Exchange Hotel are also available as pickup points.
Your guide will wait outside the pickup point; look for the purple bus or vehicle marked with the Explore Australia Tours logo.
Melbourne city hotel pickup