Puffing Billy & Penguin Parade Chocolate Wine Tasting Bush Walk Tour

Puffing Billy is the star here: its open-sided carriages roll across wooden bridges and through the forested Dandenong Ranges, a nostalgic ride with real scenery beyond the station platform. I like that you can pair the train with Yarra Valley chocolate and wine or choose a longer outing toward Phillip Island’s little penguins.

I also like that the driver-guide handles the long transfers and the hard-to-secure Puffing Billy ticket, while leaving time at the stops for a walk, a tasting or a few photos. The catch is that this is not one fixed itinerary: train times shape the day, and some packages omit the Penguin Parade or change the Yarra Valley stops.

• The train is the main event: A one-way Puffing Billy ticket is included in the listed package, with open-air views through forest and valleys.
• Two different kinds of day: Some options visit the Chocolaterie and Rochford Wines; others head toward Phillip Island and may include Maru Koala Park.
• Wine tasting costs extra: Allow AUD 15 to 20 per person at a winery if you want to join.
• Penguin entry is not included: Check the exact package before booking, since the Penguin Parade is an extra and is not part of every option.
• Departure time can shift: Expect an 8:00 to 11:00 AM departure window, with the exact time sent by email by 8:00 PM the evening before.

Puffing Billy gives the day its sense of occasion

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Puffing Billy is a narrow-gauge steam railway in the Dandenong Ranges, and the open-sided carriages make the ride feel quite different from a standard train trip. You travel through forest and valleys, crossing wooden bridges along the way. The ride is scenic and relaxed, not a high-speed thrill, so settle in and enjoy the passing greenery.

The included ticket is one way. That detail matters: the tour uses a bus to connect the train with the other stops, rather than making you arrange your own return rail trip. Tickets can be difficult to secure independently, so having the train fare and transport bundled is a practical part of the price.

The actual train time depends on availability, and the day’s route may be reshuffled around it. One itinerary account describes a ride of about half an hour between stations, but you should not assume every departure follows that exact timing. Your guide will send the confirmed plan the evening before.

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Choose the day that matches your priorities

The tour’s name can suggest that chocolate, wine, the steam train and penguins all come as one standard package. They do not. The listed choices include a Yarra Valley and Puffing Billy day that excludes the Penguin Parade, a comfort-coach option combining Yarra Valley, Puffing Billy and Phillip Island, and a premium small-group option that adds a zoo stop.

There are also two operating arrangements to understand. One includes Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Rochford Wines, with Maru Koala Park possible if the train schedule allows. The other skips the Chocolaterie and Rochford Wines so Maru is guaranteed. The provider says the chocolate and wine visit may be arranged in either Yarra Valley or Phillip Island according to the train schedule.

That can make a busy day work, but it also means you should book by the exact package name and read its inclusions closely. If chocolate and wine are your must-haves, make sure they are included in your selected option. If seeing penguins matters most, confirm that the package includes the Phillip Island leg, then remember the Penguin Parade admission itself is not included.

A central Melbourne start, followed by a lot of road time

The listed meeting point is 42 Russell Street, in front of the Grand Hyatt Hotel near the eagle statue. Be there five minutes before the departure time. Although one itinerary gives a 9:00 AM start, the broader departure window is 8:00 to 11:00 AM, depending on Puffing Billy ticket availability. The exact time is emailed by 8:00 PM the day before, so check your messages.

Round-trip transfers, tolls, parking and fuel are included. You avoid piecing together several regional connections yourself, and the guide can adjust the order of stops when traffic or weather makes that sensible. On the other hand, this is a long day in a vehicle. The Yarra Valley itinerary lists a bus ride of about 1 hour 15 minutes to the first stop and a further 1 hour 30 minutes on the way back from the railway area. A Phillip Island version can run much longer, with one account describing a 14-hour day.

The vehicle depends on the package. A smaller 13-person van was used on one Phillip Island option, while another account describes a bumpy ride in an older minibus. That is not a guarantee of what you will ride in, but it is a fair reason to bring a little patience if you are sensitive to road movement.

Chocolate and wine make the Yarra Valley version a tasting day

The Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery is a pleasant first stop when it is part of your package. The shop sells handmade chocolates and ice cream, with garden views that make it a good place to pause after the drive. You can browse, choose a treat and enjoy a change of pace before the more active parts of the day.

Rochford Wines is the wine stop named in the Yarra Valley itinerary. It is known for cool-climate wines, and tasting is optional, at your own cost: AUD 15 to 20 per person per winery. That charge is separate from the tour price, as are meals and other drinks. If you do not drink wine, you can still enjoy the stop, but it may be less rewarding than it is for someone keen to sample local bottles.

Time at both places can be shaped by train schedules. Some itineraries move the tasting or lunch around to fit the train, and extra winery stops are not guaranteed. Treat any additional stop as a pleasant possibility, not part of the promised route.

SkyHigh and Grants add a quieter side of the Dandenongs

SkyHigh Mount Dandenong is a lookout stop for broad views over Melbourne and the surrounding forest. On a clear day, it gives you a useful change of scale after the close-up woodland of the train ride. Fog, rain or low cloud can blunt the view, so keep expectations flexible. The stop is still a chance to stretch your legs and take in the mountain setting.

Grants Picnic Ground is the listed starting point for a light walk in the Dandenong Ranges National Park. It is a shaded picnic area with access to rainforest trails, making this a good chance to get out of the vehicle and walk among the trees. The walk is described as easy, but the route and weather can affect how comfortable it feels. Wear shoes you can walk in, and bring a light rain layer if the forecast looks unsettled.

The guide’s role varies by trip. Guides such as Joe, William and Sean are named in accounts of these outings, and guests repeatedly appreciated their clear updates, careful driving and help with photos. Some guides also offered practical help with lunch plans and reminders during the day. If you want a guided nature walk with detailed commentary, do not assume that is included: one account specifically wished the guide had walked with the group and explained more about the forest.

The Penguin Parade is a separate evening commitment

The Phillip Island version adds a very different finale: watching little penguins return to their nests at dusk. It can be a memorable contrast to the daytime forest and winery stops, but it also changes the rhythm of the trip. You are looking at a longer outing, with more time on the road and a later return than the 7:00 PM return shown for the Yarra Valley and Puffing Billy itinerary.

Most important, Penguin Parade admission is listed as not included. Budget for that separately and check that your selected package actually goes to Phillip Island. The experience is also tied to dusk, so the exact schedule can vary with the season and the day’s plan. One account notes that daylight saving pushed the parade later, making the ride back to Melbourne a welcome chance to rest.

Maru Koala Park is an optional, self-funded wildlife stop in packages that include it. The park offers a chance to see native animals such as koalas and kangaroos. In one option, the stop may be cancelled if the train schedule does not allow enough time; a different option skips the Yarra Valley visits so Maru is guaranteed. If Maru is a priority, choose the option that guarantees it rather than relying on a flexible schedule.

What the price covers, and what it does not

The advertised starting price is US$100.15, but the named package prices provided are US$124.39 for Yarra Valley, SkyHigh, a rainforest walk and Puffing Billy, US$209.59 for a Yarra Valley, Puffing Billy and Phillip Island comfort-coach option, and US$233.79 for a CBD pickup, Puffing Billy, zoo and Phillip Island premium small-group option. These are different products, so compare the specific route and inclusions rather than assuming the lowest price buys the full set of stops.

The package includes a one-way Puffing Billy ticket, guide and driver-guide service in English, with Chinese-speaking guide support listed as available. Transfers, tolls, parking, fuel and ticketing service fees are also covered. Tips and gratuity are listed as included.

Wine tasting, meals, beverages, personal purchases and Penguin Parade admission are not included. Maru Koala Park is also described as optional and self-funded. The value is strongest if you want the train ticket and regional transport arranged together, and you plan to visit several stops in one day. It is weaker if you only want one attraction and would rather set your own pace.

The overall rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 482 reviews, and the provider lists a 95 percent good-review rate. That gives a useful signal, but it does not remove the practical trade-offs: a variable schedule, a potentially bumpy ride and the need to pay separately for some headline activities.

Small choices that make the day easier

Pack for a full day out of Melbourne, especially if you choose the Phillip Island option. Weather affected views and walking conditions on some outings, so layers and a rain jacket are sensible. Wear shoes suited to an easy forest walk, and keep a phone or camera ready for the train and lookout.

Check your email by 8:00 PM the night before for the precise departure time and schedule. The meeting point is central, but do not rely on the sample 9:00 AM itinerary time if your confirmation gives another hour. If you have dietary or lunch needs, plan ahead: meals are not included, and some guides share lunch arrangements in advance, but you should not assume a meal is part of the fare.

The tour has no stated age limit. Still, think about the length of the day, road time and evening return when choosing a Phillip Island option for young children or anyone who tires easily. The shorter Yarra Valley and train package may be a better fit if you want a full day out without making the penguin viewing part of the plan.

Should you book this Puffing Billy tour?

I would book it if you want Puffing Billy but prefer not to manage the train ticket and regional transport yourself. The Yarra Valley version makes particular sense if chocolate, wine, a short forest walk and a mountain lookout sound like a good mix. Its main strength is variety, with a guide coordinating the moving parts.

Choose a Phillip Island option only if you are ready for a longer day and have confirmed that the Penguin Parade is included as a destination, with admission paid separately. If Maru matters, select the option that guarantees the park. If you want a fixed schedule, a quiet winery visit or more time at one place, this packed day may feel too changeable.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

The meeting point is 42 Russell Street, Melbourne, in front of the Grand Hyatt Hotel near the eagle statue.

What time does the tour leave?

Departure is between 8:00 and 11:00 AM, depending on Puffing Billy ticket availability. The exact time is sent by email by 8:00 PM the previous evening.

Is Puffing Billy included in the price?

A one-way Puffing Billy ticket is included in the listed package. The bus transfers connect the train with the other stops.

Is Penguin Parade admission included?

No. Penguin Parade admission is listed as not included, so budget for it separately if your selected package goes to Phillip Island.

Is wine tasting included?

No. Wine tasting is optional and self-funded, at AUD 15 to 20 per person per winery.

Is Maru Koala Park included?

Maru is optional and self-funded. It may be cancelled in one option if the train schedule is unsuitable, while another option skips the Yarra Valley visits and guarantees the Maru stop.

Are meals included?

No. Meals and beverages are not included.

What should I bring for the forest walk?

The walk is described as light, but weather can affect conditions. Walking shoes and clothing suited to the day’s weather are sensible.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

A full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date, using the destination’s local time.