  
‘PUFFING
BILLY’ TOUR
Puffing Billy – History:
In 1900,
engine No.4 left on its first journey to the small ‘hills’ village of Gembrook and the legend
of the little narrow guage railway, which was to become known affectionately
as ‘Puffing Billy’, was born. For many years the little train provided an
essential service thru the Dandenong ranges carrying timber, fruit, potatoes,
general goods, the locals as well as many city dwelling ‘day trippers’. In
August 1953 a huge landslide between Selby and Menzies Creek proved to be the
final straw and excuse for the Victorian Railways to finally close the line,
as it had been running at a loss for years. It was at this time that the
‘Puffing Billy’ Preservation Society was formed and they ensured that the
little train ran to Belgrave right up till 1957. The society determined to
re-open the line as far as Lakeside and on the completion of a new terminal
at Belgrave and the line as far as Menzies Creek, the first scheduled train
in twenty years left on Saturday 18th. October 1961. Since then
the line has been extended to Gembrook and the little train has continued to
carry nearly a quarter of a million tourists a year thru the picturesque
Dandenong Ranges.
TOUR ITINERY
  
Option 1:
8.45 am.
Depart from the city for the Dandenong
Ranges travelling via the Burwood Highway and the Sherbrooke Forest to
Belgrave.
10.30 am.
Board ‘Puffing Billy’ and depart for
Lakeside (Emerald), crossing the famed wooden trestle bridge at Selby and
thru the beautiful Fern Gullies and Mountain Ash Stands of the Dandenong
Ranges.
11.35 am.
Arrive at Lakeside for a brief photo
opportunity before departing via our vintage ‘service car’ or vintage bus for
lunch at one of the Range’s quaint restaurants.
2.00 pm.
Arrive at the Gembrook Station for the
return rail journey to Belgrave. (depending on the train timetable)
4.15 pm.
Depart for the city and your Hotel/Motel.
Costs:
Travelling in our vintage limousines
The cost per person for the all day
tour which includes all admission charges, the cost of morning tea and
luncheon is $169 (incl.GST) per head.
(A minimum of
4 passengers per car is required.)
Travelling in our vintage bus
The cost per person for the all day
tour which includes all admission charges, the cost of morning tea and
luncheon is $119 (incl.GST) per head.
(A minimum of 10 passengers per bus is
required.)
  
OR
Option 2:
9.00 am.
Depart the
city in one of our vintage service cars or vintage Leyland bus for the
Dandenong Ranges travelling via the Burwood Highway, arriving at the famed
Selby wooden trestle bridge in time for a photo opportunity of Puffing Billy
crossing on the way to Menzies Creek.
10.40 am.
Travel through the Sherbrooke Forest to
the village of Kalista for ‘morning tea’.
11.40 am.
Depart for Belgrave Station, Puffing
Billy and the ‘Luncheon Special’.
12.00 noon.
Depart on the return journey to Emerald
Lake(Lakeside) aboard the ‘Luncheon Special’
  First Class Fare plus Light Hamper Lunch comprising Ham,
Roast Turkey and Seasoned Pork, complimentary dressings, mixed green salad,
piece of Australian Tasty Cheese and Brie, Bread Roll, fruit in season such
as Pineapple, Strawberries, Dried Apricots etc. A Vegetarian Light Hamper luncheon
is also available. (sample menu only – may change with availability of
fresh/seasonal produce)
4.00 pm.
Depart for the city with a liesurely drive thru the beautiful
Dandenong Ranges.
Costs:
Travelling in our vintage limousines
The cost per person for the all day
tour which includes all admission charges, the cost of morning tea and
luncheon is $169 (incl.GST) per head.
A minimum of 4
passengers per car is required.
(NB: The tour cost does not include
alcohol.)
Travelling in our vintage bus
The cost per person for the all day
tour which includes all admission charges, the cost of morning tea and
luncheon is $125 (incl.GST) per head.
A minimum of
10 passengers per bus is required.
(NB: The tour cost does not include
alcohol.)
NB: Itineries are
dependant on “Puffing Billy’s” Timetable which may be affected from time to
time by Fire Restrictions and the like
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