Puffing Billy Steam Train & Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary Tour with Autopia Tours

The tour begins with a picturesque drive of approximately one hour from Melbourne through the hills of the Dandenong Ranges. As you travel through this region, take in the stunning views of Melbourne's skyline and the towering Mountain Ash and Fern trees. Your destination is Puffing Billy Station, where you will step back in time for a memorable one-hour journey on Australia's most notable narrow gauge railway. Aboard the restored Puffing Billy Steam Train, you'll weave in and out of forest-covered hills between Belgrave and Lakeside, all the while keeping an eye out for wildlife such as kookaburras, cockatoos, lyrebirds, and crimson rosellas in the stunning Sherbrooke Forest. Interact with the dedicated volunteers who help preserve this 121-year-old steam railway, and enjoy the state-of-the-art Lakeside Visitor Centre, which features a railway cafe, mini-museum, and gift shop. You will have time to purchase morning tea and/or lunch at their own expense.

Back on the bus, the tour continues through the Yarra Valley, heading towards the township of Healesville. Here, you will have two hours to explore Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary, Australia's premier wildlife and nature sanctuary. Home to over 200 species of Australian birds, mammals, and reptiles in a natural bushland setting, the sanctuary offers the chance to get up close to koalas, kangaroos, wombats, emus, cockatoos, parrots, and many more. Don't miss the amazing and exciting Eagles Fly demonstration, or take a stroll through the aviaries and ponds to see the nocturnal house with the shy platypus.

The final stop of the day is a visit to the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery, which boasts over 250 varieties of chocolate, truffles, and ice cream. Guests can watch the chocolatiers at work, browse the chocolate shop, and indulge in a decadent hot chocolate or coffee at their own expense before relaxing on the return journey to Melbourne.