The railway was originally one of four experimental lines built in the early 1900s to develop rural districts in Victoria.
The line was closed in 1953 following a landslide, but a dedicated group of volunteers lobbied to restore it, leading to the formation of the Puffing Billy Preservation Society.
The iconic Monbulk Creek Trestle Bridge is a massive timber structure requiring frequent, specialized maintenance to support the weight of the steam engines.
All locomotives currently in service are original to the line or built to the same 2-foot-6-inch narrow gauge design.
The railway operates its own workshop in Belgrave, where volunteer engineers perform heavy maintenance on the steam engines.
Passenger carriages often include original heritage timber designs that have been refurbished for safety.
Puffing Billy is a century-old steam railway operating on its original mountain track through the Dandenong Ranges. The heritage-listed line spans 24 kilometers from Belgrave to Gembrook, passing through temperate rainforests and over historic wooden trestle bridges. Passengers are permitted to sit on the sills of the open-air carriages, a practice preserved since the line’s 1900 opening. The railway functions as a non-profit organization operated primarily by volunteers. It remains one of the world's finest preserved steam railways, maintaining its original fleet of locomotives. The route traverses the Monbulk Creek valley and the Wright State Forest, showcasing native mountain ash trees and giant tree ferns.
The Menzies Creek Trestle Bridge provides the classic 'train curving' shot visible from the path below.
Book tickets well in advance online, as trains frequently sell out during weekends and school holidays.
Dress in layers, as temperatures drop significantly when the train enters the dense canopy of the rainforest.
If you have sensitive eyes, be aware that small cinders from the steam locomotive can occasionally fly into the open-air carriages.
Do not attempt to walk along the tracks outside of designated station areas, as it is a major safety hazard and legally prohibited.
Closed on Christmas Day; modified schedules operate during total fire ban days.
Do not stand up while the train is in motion; strictly follow the 'no dangling feet' rule when sitting on carriage sills.
