Tour ID: 10053833

This is such a great day out! You get to ride on the famous steam train named “Puffing Billy”, have a great lunch at Fergusson’s Winery, visit a Chocolate Factory and be introduced to some of Australia’s favourite wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary.

  • Travel through the beautiful scenery of the Dandenong Ranges
  • Ride the historical Puffing Billy steam train
  • Eat a spit-roast lunch with wine at a Yarra Valley Winery
  • See over 200 species of Australian wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary
  • Enjoy samples from the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie

Travel with us from Melbourne to the Dandenong Ranges and the Yarra Valley to enjoy an action-packed day of sightseeing, including Puffing Billy and Healesville Sanctuary.

We begin the day traversing through Melbourne's eastern suburbs towards the Dandenong Ranges. Our first stop is at the Sherbrooke Forest for morning tea. Share in a freshly prepared 'billy-tea' along with delicious lamingtons, as well as Vegemite and crackers. This lush bush location is home to flocks of Crimson Rosellas and King Parrots. Keep your ears pricked for the call of the lyrebirds which can often be heard here.

After morning tea, we continue onto the town of Belgrave, where we join the next phase of our journey aboard the Puffing Billy Steam Train. Over 100 years old, the steam train locomotive hauls its passengers from Belgrave to Menzies Creek through green temperate rainforests which are filled with tree ferns, and wonderfully tall trees.

We join the tour vehicle once we reach Menzies Creek, and continue our scenic journey through the Dandenong Ranges on scenic Grantulla Road, passing the small villages in this Mountain area that are well-known for their craft shops, restaurants and gardens.

We will arrive at Fergusson's Winery in the Yarra Valley for a delicious spit roast lunch with a glass of delicious Fergusson's wine. While we are here, you'll have the opportunity to visit the cellar door for a wine tasting (fees may apply).

We continue our scenic route through the vineyards of the Yarra Valley to reach the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie. Enjoy a tasting of chocolate, observe the chocolate makers in action, and explore the displays of premium chocolates and perhaps purchase some to indulge in later.

Our last stop of the day takes us to Healesville Sanctuary. This wonderful bushland setting is home to over 200 species of Australian Wildlife, including well-known kangaroos and koalas, but also emu, wombats, Tasmanian devils, echidnas, dingoes, platypus, reptiles, a wide variety of native birds and many more. The sanctuary offers many interactive keeper talks and shows including the Spirits Of The Sky birds of prey and parrot show, and the Tales From Platypus Creek show which showcases the often reclusive platypus. Schedules change daily, so be sure to check what's on offer when you arrive. For more information and planning your trip, here is a link to Healesville Sanctuary.

After we've enjoyed all that Healesville Sanctuary has to offer, we re-board our tour vehicle and return to Melbourne to end our day.

More Info

Tour Details

  • Included in price:

    Morning tea with lamingtons and vegemite with crackers,
    Historic steam train ride (Puffing Billy),
    Spit-roast lunch with wine Fergusson’s Winery,
    Chocolate Factory vist with tasting,
    Entrance and VIP Tour at Healesville Sanctuary.

  • Available for purchase/hire:

    Take-home Wine, Chocolate and Souvenirs.
    Opportunity to Taste Wine at Fergussons Winery.

  • Duration:

    9.5 hours approximately

  • Departure:

    8:15 AM Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun

  • Return:

    5.45pm

  • Departure points:

    Melbourne

  • Pickup/departure instructions:

    Tour departs Federation Square East (corner of Flinders & Russell Streets)
    Hotel pickups available on request - please advise hotel name and address at time of booking should you require a hotel pick up and we advise the most convenient location in your confirmation email.

    A list of tentative pick-ups (subject to change) can be found here.

  • What to bring:

    Appropriate clothing for cool days.

  • Fitness level required:

    Low

  • Child policies:

    Children under 4 free
    Children 4 – 14 years inclusive
    15 years and over is an adult

  • Additional Information:

    Wine only available for 18+ years

  • Destinations:

    Yarra Valley, Dandenong Ranges and Healesville

Booking dates