Puffing Billy And Healesville Sanctuary Scenic Tour
4.5
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*
Puffing Billy And Healesville Sanctuary Scenic Tour
By Wine Hop And Coastal Tours
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About
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 0-99, max of 240 per group
Duration: 8h 15m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Live guide: English
More
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Entry to ride Puffing Billy (Belgrave to Emerald Lake)
- Entry to Healesville Sanctuary
- Entry to Yarra Valley Chocolaterie
- Entry to Emerald Lake
- Entry/Admission - Emerald Lake
- Entry/Admission - Puffing Billy Playground
- Entry/Admission - Healesville Sanctuary
- Entry/Admission - Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery
What's not included- All food and beverage is excluded
- Start:Traveller pickup offered.Pickup details
- 8.15am Pick Up Time. Hotel Windsor, 111 Spring Street at 8.15am To be confirmed 24hours prior to start of tour. Please note, this tour is NOT suitable for cruise passengers due to tour timings.
Hotel pickup offeredDuring checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Pushchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 108928P21- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Most travellers can participate
- Please note, this tour is NOT suitable for cruise passengers due to tour timings.
- Infants aged under 3 years old are welcome to attend free of charge providing they do not occupy a seat. If a seat is required for the infant, please purchase a child ticket for them.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 240 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 108928P21
From
AU$220.00
per adult
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Itinerary
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- Ballinamere0 contributionsOcean Road bus tourHad a fabulous bus driver only 21 Her name Mama apology if I spelt her name incorrectly Mama was Friendly, very kind - give us her own beautiful made Bananna Bread ,& Coffee We had beautiful weather to add to our wonderful DayWritten 9 November 2024
- Merrick D0 contributionsFantastic day tripWe had an amazing time with Tour Guide Jack! This is a long day in the bus but he did a great job keeping us moving but stopping regularly. We saw so many fantastic things and enjoyed all of Jack's helpful suggestions! The tour was well planned and well executed! We especially loved the rainforest walk and Jack's extra efforts to find kangaroos and koalas!Written 8 November 2024
- 578tara0 contributionsRain forest - Mum and baby Kuala - Epic 12 Apostles on breathtaking Ocean RoadThe Tour bus is air conditioned and arrives at the Great Southern Hotel central Melbourne at 07.00 AM . There are of course other pick up points . I went on the great ocean road trip which stopped at Apollo Bay , Ottawa Park and 12 apostles . We stopped for lunch and regular toilet stops . The tour guide was amazing , very polite and considerate of everyone on the trip . The trip is well organised, runs to schedule, amazing good atmosphere lead by your guide . It’s well worth it . The Great ocean road is an epic must see in a life time . The Ottawa park is truly fantastic. We also saw mother and baby Kuala in the wild .Written 8 November 2024
- 25marielg0 contributionsDon’t book with them!I didn’t actually get to go on the tour! I wanted to share my awful experience with this horrible company. I was supposed to get picked up at my Airbnb. They messaged the day before to meet at another address, a hotel. I show up before the pickup time and no one is there. No one messages me or asks if I’m there either. I messaged them on Whatsapp before 11:45 and they read it but don’t reply. They ignore my other messages and don’t even bother to check in on me or respond. See the screenshots of my ignored texts. I also messaged them on Viator with no reply. They don’t give a damn about their guests and won’t even bother to message. Don’t book tours with them!Written 7 November 2024
- OlaP4230 contributions100% recommend!Our trip was greatly organised and we had a lot of fun! All of the attractions were worth visiting, our guide and driver Thomas was great, cheers! :)Written 7 November 2024
- H9335IZjessical0 contributionsThroughly enjoyed tourSteve was amazing, and the overall experience was very good, I throughly enjoyed it, we got to see lots of wallabies and penguinsWritten 5 November 2024
- Brad E0 contributionsPuffing Billy and the Penguin parade a trip to rememberOur guide Steve did an amazing job. Very knowledgeable and a lot of fun. Steve showed us the local countryside on the way to the train station and provided unique color. Steve went the extra mile showing us the animal life on the way to watch the penguins. A very enjoyable tour that was well organized and executed.Written 29 October 2024
- moniquelU805HW0 contributionsBeautiful scenery, amazing guide & beautiful weatherWarren was so welcoming, never failed to make us all laugh and brough such a light hearted positive energy & was incredibly good explaining the history/where to go along the stops we visited!! Got to see 2x wild koalas, a mob of wild grey kangaroos & obviously the best views from the great ocean road! So grateful for the opportunity to have experienced that with such a good atmosphere which really topped off the day! 🥰🙌 …wouldn’t get that in sydney hahaWritten 28 October 2024
- Dawn W0 contributionsGreat tour!Theo was an amazing guide. Very positive and super knowledgeable. Great tour!! Wish they could have picked us up at our hotel but it was fine.Written 24 October 2024
- 534sheilac0 contributionsGreat day tripGreat day! We enjoyed the sights and animals along the way. John was the best. We would definitely recommend this trip!!Written 24 October 2024
- JudyF14470 contributionsThe Ocean Road tour is an absolute must doPick up was arranged in advance and exactly to time! Jack the tour guide & driver was really informative, amusing & diligent. It was a very long day (& early start), but a must when in Melbourne. Jack timed everything really well & the views were absolutely spectacular. He went out of his way to help us see koalas and kangaroos (both a bonus!)Written 24 October 2024
- jane7130 contributionsAbsolutely fabulous!A nice variety of places to see and explore! Our guide, John, was so wonderfully funny and kept us entertained on the bus. He was also very helpful with suggestions regarding lunch choices!Written 16 October 2024
- joycel8520 contributionsScenic DriveIt was a very scenic drive and we did see some koalas and a couple kangaroos, but we did not go to the Gibson's steps, the driver said they can't go there anymore. Also, we had friends who did other tours and apparently they all do the forest walk and stop to look at koalas, etc. There was nothing extra in this trip except for morning tea, which was prepackaged muffins and juice boxes.Written 16 October 2024
- mjsg010 contributionsWild Koala highlightThis was a well planned day tour led by Lorraine who had a great knowledge of the area and a very lively personality - made for a great day out. Lots of good photo opportunities along the way with many sightings of wild koalas. Lunch at Waves in Apollo bay was also worth a recommendation - Vi makes the best crepes. Great views of the 12 Apostles too. Cannot recommend this tour enoughWritten 9 October 2024
- ghg9620 contributionsGreat experience But..A very enjoyable trip with a great driver and guide. However, the company left a sour note with no explanation given. One day before the tour the time was changed to start 2 hours later, somewhat disrupting my own program. Secondly, the Nobbies was missed though mentioned in the itinerary.Written 5 October 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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4.5
88 reviews
Excellent
66
Very good
19
Average
1
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1
pakfaiderekc
5 contributions
Sept 2023 • Solo
Overall, this is a fair tour. I would recommend this for people who wish to visit the key spots in Melbourne as the public transport to these spots is quite difficult to be arranged by yourself.
Tour guide will introduce briefly on the spots you are going to visit, and you need to plan your own journey, e.g. what encounter or keeper talks you are going to join in the sanctuary. Another thing to be aware of is that you will arrive in the sanctuary in the afternoon so it is hard to join some encounters that are available in the morning only. You have to do some research beforehand.
Tour guide will introduce briefly on the spots you are going to visit, and you need to plan your own journey, e.g. what encounter or keeper talks you are going to join in the sanctuary. Another thing to be aware of is that you will arrive in the sanctuary in the afternoon so it is hard to join some encounters that are available in the morning only. You have to do some research beforehand.
Written 13 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rebekah R
30 contributions
I really enjoyed this tour. Despite being a larger group, my group was really awesome and we were on time/early at every meeting point. Peter, our guide, was very humorous and helpful. I'm glad he was our guide for the day.
The only thing keeping this from five stars is that I feel like this tour is quite rushed. I do not know all the departure times for puffing billy, but I think if there is an earlier time for departure then I think that would help the flow of the rest of the day. I flew threw healesville Sanctuary. I enjoyed it, but I really didn't get a chance to rest. If I had stayed to eat at the Cafe there I would have been unable to visit all of the Sanctuary due to how crowded it was. The same goes for the chocolate place. I only had time to wait in line for an ice cream because it was do crowded with other tour groups there. If the tour could start earlier in the day and catch an earlier ride on the Puffing Billy, then I think this would be a perfect tour. I still had a great time.
The only thing keeping this from five stars is that I feel like this tour is quite rushed. I do not know all the departure times for puffing billy, but I think if there is an earlier time for departure then I think that would help the flow of the rest of the day. I flew threw healesville Sanctuary. I enjoyed it, but I really didn't get a chance to rest. If I had stayed to eat at the Cafe there I would have been unable to visit all of the Sanctuary due to how crowded it was. The same goes for the chocolate place. I only had time to wait in line for an ice cream because it was do crowded with other tour groups there. If the tour could start earlier in the day and catch an earlier ride on the Puffing Billy, then I think this would be a perfect tour. I still had a great time.
Written 5 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Echo H
6 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
We spent an amazing day with Joe; he has great personalities and is very enthusiastic when introducing the scenic spots along the way. Thanks to his reminder, we were able to arrive early when the show in the sanctuary started, so we didn't have to stand and watch.
The bus was comfortable and clean. We enjoyed a one-day road trip to Puffing Billy, Healesville Sanctuary, and the Yara Valley chocolate factory with a reasonable time schedule.
If you want to order ice cream at the Chocolate Factory, it is recommended to start queuing as soon as you get off the bus. The queue will be very long. Also, allow 20 minutes for the hot chocolate order to be ready. I would highly recommend this trip.
这次来墨尔本,分别体验了本地和华人的旅行团。个人认为本地旅行团比华人团更有导游的感觉,会认真介绍景点,而不是像司机一样到地方放人,到点集合。虽然跟团人数会更多一些,但是出行体验比商务车小团要好,导游更了解景点,不会错过最后进场时间和景点的表演。
The bus was comfortable and clean. We enjoyed a one-day road trip to Puffing Billy, Healesville Sanctuary, and the Yara Valley chocolate factory with a reasonable time schedule.
If you want to order ice cream at the Chocolate Factory, it is recommended to start queuing as soon as you get off the bus. The queue will be very long. Also, allow 20 minutes for the hot chocolate order to be ready. I would highly recommend this trip.
这次来墨尔本,分别体验了本地和华人的旅行团。个人认为本地旅行团比华人团更有导游的感觉,会认真介绍景点,而不是像司机一样到地方放人,到点集合。虽然跟团人数会更多一些,但是出行体验比商务车小团要好,导游更了解景点,不会错过最后进场时间和景点的表演。
Written 8 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sally C
Milan, IN8 contributions
It was a fantastic trip. The only problem was the transporting bus was uncomfortable. The couple with the shortest legs chose the front seat. People with normal leg size were squished in. We enjoyed the train experience , Healesville sanctuary is very nice, and the ice cream/chocolate stop was GREAT!
Written 1 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Johnstanno
Singapore, Singapore526 contributions
We went on the tour with Peter and really enjoyed the 1hr buffing billy ride at 10am. Peter bought the ticket for all of us and bring us to the cabin. Highly recommend to sit on the edge of the cabin (right side of the train have the best view) to enjoy the train ride.
Healesville sanctuary was ok. There is a bird show at 3pm but unfortunately, there isn't time for us to watch finish the whole show as we need to rush back to our tour bus. Perhaps the departure time from sanctuary could be extended by 15mins.
Overall, this is a fun day trip even for adult. We arrived back to Melbourne CBD around 5+pm.
Healesville sanctuary was ok. There is a bird show at 3pm but unfortunately, there isn't time for us to watch finish the whole show as we need to rush back to our tour bus. Perhaps the departure time from sanctuary could be extended by 15mins.
Overall, this is a fun day trip even for adult. We arrived back to Melbourne CBD around 5+pm.
Written 11 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve A
Pasadena, CA2 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
You take a minibus to first get on an old fashioned steam train which puffs its way into the Yarra Valley. You then go to a Zoo to see animals indigenous to Australia. The Zoo part is far too long and the options at the Zoo for eating are pretty dismal.
Written 14 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chito
Davao City, Philippines6 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
One of the best tours I had in years.
From the punctuality abd promptness of our tour guide Jack in meeting us at the pickup point until we were delivered back after the tour. Our guide Jack is professional,courteous and polite in handling us,their guests in the tour. He's thoughtful enough to prepare banana bread, muffins and juice after our arrival in the Lakeside train station.
The train ride is fun and educational. Historic in nature and nostalgic considering it is the oldest railways in Australia and run with the aid of volunteerism.
The Healesville Sanctuary is not only eduactional but it is vital in Australian tourism becuase it helped in preserving or saving some of the the endagered species like the Koala,the Tasmanian devil and other bird species that are rare and nearing extinction.
All in all, I gave my two thumbs up to the tour...
From the punctuality abd promptness of our tour guide Jack in meeting us at the pickup point until we were delivered back after the tour. Our guide Jack is professional,courteous and polite in handling us,their guests in the tour. He's thoughtful enough to prepare banana bread, muffins and juice after our arrival in the Lakeside train station.
The train ride is fun and educational. Historic in nature and nostalgic considering it is the oldest railways in Australia and run with the aid of volunteerism.
The Healesville Sanctuary is not only eduactional but it is vital in Australian tourism becuase it helped in preserving or saving some of the the endagered species like the Koala,the Tasmanian devil and other bird species that are rare and nearing extinction.
All in all, I gave my two thumbs up to the tour...
Written 2 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WEI Z
39 contributions
Oct 2024 • Solo
I enjoyed the tour very much for two reasons: 1. Tour operator Mr Marti is very nice and helpful; 2. We have enough time for visiting three places: Puffing Billy Train (2.5 hours ), Healesville Sanctuary (2h 45m , Chocolate Factory (45 minutes). The time is not including driving time.
Puffing Billy: We arrived the train station on time and waited half an hour for departure. Marti helped everyone to take pictures. During an hour’s train running, we really enjoyed the trip when the train went through the forest and countryside. When we arrived lakeside, we have an hour to go around the visitor center with a small museum introducing the history of train and sit down for a cup of coffee and food in a beautiful Coffee Bar.
Healesville Sanctuary: Since we have nearly 3 hours for visiting it, I have enough time to read very carefully introduction of words and pictures for Koalas, Kangaroo, Dingoes, Skinks, Emu and beautiful birds. I think that enough time assure us to enjoy detailed descriptions and information.
Chocolate Factory: We have 45 minutes in the factory located in beautiful Yarra valley. The chocolate taste delicious. I had a very happy moment when siting in the garden for ice cream and facing the green valley .
Comparing with other similar tour, this one has a clear time plan.
Puffing Billy: We arrived the train station on time and waited half an hour for departure. Marti helped everyone to take pictures. During an hour’s train running, we really enjoyed the trip when the train went through the forest and countryside. When we arrived lakeside, we have an hour to go around the visitor center with a small museum introducing the history of train and sit down for a cup of coffee and food in a beautiful Coffee Bar.
Healesville Sanctuary: Since we have nearly 3 hours for visiting it, I have enough time to read very carefully introduction of words and pictures for Koalas, Kangaroo, Dingoes, Skinks, Emu and beautiful birds. I think that enough time assure us to enjoy detailed descriptions and information.
Chocolate Factory: We have 45 minutes in the factory located in beautiful Yarra valley. The chocolate taste delicious. I had a very happy moment when siting in the garden for ice cream and facing the green valley .
Comparing with other similar tour, this one has a clear time plan.
Written 24 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Siti I
6 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
A day out on the puffing billy steam train, animal sanctuary and chocolate factory.
Puffing Billy was amazing train ride and our guide Matty made sure he took video of is at exactly the right time. Saw some animals at Healesville which was also brilliant as it included visits to the hospital as well. Chocolate factory- ice creams was out of this world!
Puffing Billy was amazing train ride and our guide Matty made sure he took video of is at exactly the right time. Saw some animals at Healesville which was also brilliant as it included visits to the hospital as well. Chocolate factory- ice creams was out of this world!
Written 1 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marilyn P
1 contribution
May 2024 • Solo
The Puffing Billy was great and very different to be able to sit on the window sill made it all the more delightful. Healesville Sanctuary was a great experience and the bird show was great. Claire (the driver) was very pleasant and the commentary was great.
Written 27 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello. Is there an option to add a Grazing Box to the Puffing Billy ride?
Written 23 April 2024
Hi, would pickup and dropoff be available for Shadow Play Melbourne by Peppers at Southbank? Would slots for September 2022 be released as well?
Thank you.
Written 24 June 2022
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.