Dandenong Ranges forest & Puffing Billy
Full day · ~8 hours
A cool-green day in the hills on Melbourne's doorstep. We drive you up into the Dandenongs for the Puffing Billy steam train, the 1000 Steps Kokoda walk, fern-gully forest and the village strip at Sassafras and Olinda. Close enough for a relaxed start and an early finish — ideal with kids or visiting family.
Why it's famous
Discover Dandenong Ranges.
The Dandenong Ranges rise just east of Melbourne, covered in fern gullies and stands of Mountain Ash, the world's tallest flowering tree. Lyrebirds and wallabies live in the national park, and cool, misty forest begins less than an hour from the city.
The hills are also home to Puffing Billy, which calls itself Australia's premier preserved steam railway. Its open-sided carriages run on the original mountain line from Belgrave through Mountain Ash and fern gullies, crossing a timber trestle bridge over Monbulk Creek on the way.
Between the train and the forest are the garden villages of Sassafras and Olinda, with tea rooms, antique and craft shops and some of Victoria's best-known cool-climate gardens. From the summit at SkyHigh Mount Dandenong, the view stretches over the Melbourne skyline.
What you'll see & do
- Ride Puffing Billy's open-sided carriages from Belgrave through the forest
- Watch the steam train cross the timber trestle bridge at Monbulk Creek
- Climb the 1000 Steps (Kokoda Track Memorial Walk) through tree-fern gullies
- Walk among towering Mountain Ash in Sherbrooke Forest
- Stop for Devonshire tea and browse the shops in Sassafras or Olinda
- Wander the lake, boathouse and autumn colour at Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens
- Look out over the Melbourne skyline from SkyHigh Mount Dandenong
Why you'll love it
- Ride Puffing Billy's open carriages through the forest
- 1000 Steps rainforest walk (as far up as you like)
- Village browsing and cake in Sassafras and Olinda
- The closest big day out — 45 minutes from the city
$399 AUD — total. No hidden anything.
One fixed price per vehicle (up to 7 people). Here's exactly what that covers:
- Fixed price in AUDThe price you see is the total — per vehicle, up to 7 people
- No hidden chargesNo booking fees, no card surcharges, no surprises
- Tolls, fuel & parking includedEverything the car needs is in the price
- No driver or waiting chargesYour driver and reasonable waiting are included
- Hotel / home pickup & drop-offDoor-to-door across Melbourne — included free
- FREE airport pickup with any tourBook a tour and we collect you from the airport at no charge
- Pay your wayIn advance or any time before your trip ends — PayID, card or cash
See it on film
Official videos
Find Yourself in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges
Official video · Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges
Come on an amazing tour of the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges
Official video · Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges
Your day, stop by stop
What we’ll do.
Times are guidance — we adjust on the day to your group’s pace.
Send this itinerary to your group:
- 09
09:00
Pickup from your home
Western Suburbs door pickup — it's about an hour east.
- 10
10:00
Puffing Billy, Belgrave
Historic steam railway through the forest — book your ride; we meet you at the alighting station.
Puffing Billy runs on its original mountain line from Belgrave towards Gembrook, through fern gullies and Mountain Ash. Belgrave to Lakeside runs every day, and the Menzies Creek and Gembrook legs run Friday to Sunday. Our driver meets you at the station where you get off.
Official website ↗🎟️ Booking required
Book your tickets online before the day, because the railway says pre-booking is essential and tickets sell quickly. Tell us your journey and departure time.
- 12
12:00
1000 Steps — Kokoda Track Memorial Walk
The famous rainforest climb. Skip-able if mobility is a concern — there's a gentler loop nearby.
This steep, beautiful trail at Ferntree Gully is officially the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk. Fourteen plaques honour the Australians who fought on the Kokoda Track, and the steps represent its 'Golden Staircase'. If you'd like a gentler walk, Parks Victoria suggests the Ramblers Track Loop.
Official website ↗ - 13
13:00
Lunch in Sassafras or Olinda
Tea rooms and cafés in the village strip — your pick, we time around it.
Sassafras is known for its tea rooms, boutiques and antique, craft and lolly shops. Nearby Olinda, one of the highest villages in the Dandenongs, is known for its gardens, cafés and the National Rhododendron Gardens.
Official website ↗ - 14
14:30
Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens
Lake, ornamental gardens and the iconic boathouse — stunning in autumn.
This 1930s garden sits beside the historic Burnham Beeches estate. Paths lead down to a lake and boathouse, and golden ginkgos, maples and beeches turn colour in autumn, usually peaking from mid-April to early May. It's open during daylight hours but closes on extreme fire danger and severe weather days.
Official website ↗ - 15
15:30
SkyHigh Mount Dandenong
Lookout over Melbourne and the bay on a clear day.
SkyHigh sits at the top of Mount Dandenong, with views over the Melbourne skyline, landscaped gardens, a maze and a bistro. Parking is charged per vehicle.
Official website ↗ - 16
16:30
Drop-off at home
Direct return via the freeway.
Getting there
How far is it?
Every numbered stop on one map — shown from the CBD for scale. Your day is door-to-door from your home, we handle all the driving, tolls and parking. Tap the map for Google Maps.
Tickets & bookings
Book your tickets before the day.
Attraction entry isn’t included in the fare — buy it directly from the official sites below (no mark-up, no middleman). Tell us your session times and we’ll plan the driving around them.
Puffing Billy, Belgrave
Booking requiredBook your tickets online before the day, because the railway says pre-booking is essential and tickets sell quickly. Tell us your journey and departure time.
puffingbillyrailway.org.au
SkyHigh Mount Dandenong
Optional — summit entry charged per car
skyhighmtdandenong.com.au
What’s included
- Premium 8-seat MPV for the whole day
- Driver, fuel and all road tolls
- Door-to-door pickup and drop-off
- Up to 8 hours from pickup to drop-off
Not included
- Puffing Billy train tickets (book at puffingbillyrailway.org.au)
- SkyHigh entry / parking
- Garden entry fees
- Meals and any food
Common questions
Good to know.
- Do we ride Puffing Billy the whole way?
- Most groups ride one leg (Belgrave to Menzies Creek or Lakeside) and we pick you up at the other end so you're not backtracking. Book tickets in advance — it sells out.
- Is this good for older parents or toddlers?
- Yes — we can skip the 1000 Steps and keep to the train, gardens and lookout, all of which have short, easy walks.
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Ready for Dandenong Ranges?
Send us your preferred date and group size — we’ll confirm availability within a business day.
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