Puffing Billy Train & Penguin Parade & Koala Park & Brighton Beach
- Vibrant beach huts creating a lively coastal scene with their striking, multicolored designs and patterns
- A century-old marvel, this steam train journey transports you to a magical fairy tale world
- Perched on a craggy promontory, it offers awe-inspiring seashore panoramas, enhancing the rugged coastal experience
- Time constraints may hinder exploring the captivating Nobbies, adding a touch of spontaneity to the journey
- Phillip Island Nature Parks present a captivating natural display with penguins waddling along floodlit Summerland Beach
What to expect
Start your day at the Brighton Bathing Boxes, one of the most photographed spots in Melbourne. Then, relive memories on Puffing Billy, Australia's best-preserved vintage steam train in the scenic Dandenong Ranges. Finally, visit the Penguin Parade before dusk, exploring the "Penguin Experience" exhibit to learn about these fascinating creatures. Spot penguins, koalas, and wallabies on Phillip Island! Take a stroll to Summerland Beach for the Penguin Parade from the main grandstand. (Please note: Package "Puffing Billy Train & Healesville Sanctuary & Yarra Valley Winery Tour" does not include Phillip Island.)
You may be interested in something else: Phillip Island One Day tour from Melbourne








Reviews
Reviews summaryOur tour guide, Curtis, provided detailed and clear explanations about the attractions, which was very helpful. We arrived at the departure point on time in the morning and first headed to Brighton Bathing Boxes, where we had plenty of time for photos and leisurely strolling. Afterward, we went to Puffing Billy, and our carriage was in a great spot towards the back, offering beautiful views when we crossed the wooden bridge. In between, we visited a wildlife park and The Nobbies. Finally, we arrived at Phillip Island to see the Penguin Parade. Our guide even had raincoats ready in case of rain. The entire day's itinerary was packed with activities, and after the parade, we could simply get on the bus to rest. I highly recommend this tour.
Loved the Puffing Billy train experience, we arrived right on time at every destination thanks to the tour guide’s excellent arrangements. It gets very windy at the Nobbies and Brighton beach, so be sure to dress warmly. At the Penguin Parade, try to get a seat at the front if possible. Otherwise, once you spot the penguins at the beach, you can leave the general viewing area and wait on the right side of the path leading back to the centre for a closer view. The tour guide provided detailed explanations throughout, which made the whole experience even more enjoyable.
Our tour guide, Curtis, was very enthusiastic. At first, he seemed a bit talkative, but he also gave us time to rest later on. The entire tour had plenty of time, and we never felt rushed, though some guests might have been a little late. The steam train experience was excellent; I was surprised we rode it for almost 45 minutes. I personally think most souvenirs aren't necessary to buy; it's better to use that time for photos and enjoying the scenery. When we went to see the penguins, I was surprised that the guide noticed I was wearing a skirt and asked if I was cold, even thoughtfully giving me a hand warmer. I'm not someone who gets cold easily, so I immediately gave the hand warmer to my friend who does. I highly recommend buying the deluxe seats because you'll be incredibly close to the penguins, almost within arm's reach, as you watch them come ashore and then return. It's absolutely worth it. Even more surprising was the sky full of stars; the scenery combined with the penguins was truly a perfect 100. Many thanks to the tour for this wonderful experience.
It was a wonderful trip, thanks to our excellent guide, Curtis. He provided extensive historical context and valuable tourist information, along with helpful tips throughout the tour. The arrangements were well planned, despite our train being delayed at Puffing Billy. Curtis remained committed and continued to do his best to assist everyone.
Everything is just perfect under Steven’s guide. He is well versed in every aspects. We are able to attend to all the itineraries eg rainbow box, puffing train, the nobbies, maru zoo and penguin seeing within the time frame. He uses bi-languages in English and Mandarin so you can understand well from his introduction to all the attractions. If you plan to visit to Melbourne and looking for one day trip, don’t hesitate to book this trip as you will be enjoying during the whole journey which covers almost all the attractions and it’s definitely value for money!
I went to Melbourne by myself this time, and this tour allowed me to visit many places I wanted to see in one day that were far away and relatively inconvenient to get to. It included a convenient city pick-up and drop-off service. Every activity on this tour was a great experience; I got to see the famous colorful beach houses, the train ride was very special and the timing was just right, and I also got to interact with animals. Our guide, Toni, was very kind and friendly, serving as both guide and driver throughout the trip. She also gave us interesting explanations along the way and taught us about Melbourne's history. The time management and control were excellent, allowing us to visit the zoo and return to the city at the scheduled time. Highly recommended!
We had an absolutely fantastic day touring from Melbourne — Puffing Billy, the Brighton bathing boxes, the Penguin Parade, and Koala Maru — and it was entirely thanks to our guide/driver. From punctual pickup to safe, smooth driving, everything was perfectly organised. Our guide’s warm, friendly manner made everyone feel welcome, and their local knowledge brought each stop to life: the history and charm of Puffing Billy, the best photo angles at the colourful bathing boxes, the respectful approach needed at the Penguin Parade, and fascinating facts about koalas at Koala Maru. 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
"We had an amazing 1-day tour to Puffing Billy and Phillip Island on May 6th, 2026. Our guide and driver, Mr. Rick, was both professional and highly skilled, providing seamless commentary in both English and Mandarin throughout the trip. The highlights were unforgettable: from the unique experience of riding the Puffing Billy steam train with our legs dangling outside, to the colorful beach huts at Brighton Beach. The finale at Phillip Island was truly memorable; despite a sudden heavy downpour during the Penguin Parade, seeing the little penguins return to the beach alongside sightings of wallabies and wild geese against a backdrop of magnificent coastal views made for a perfect day."
Many thanks to Steven, our tour guide and driver. The entire trip went very smoothly. Before arriving at each attraction, Steven provided us with background information and introductions in both Mandarin and English, catering to the needs of tourists from different nationalities. He also gave us a helpful tip before boarding the small train: sit on the left side, and after about 45 minutes of travel, you'll see some beautiful scenery – and I certainly did! Upon arriving at the Penguin Center, he used a hand-drawn map to show us how to navigate inside and even gave us a secret tip on how to find a hidden path to see the penguins. We were truly fortunate to have Steven; he gave my family and me an excellent one-day tour experience. He also worked incredibly hard, putting in over 14 hours in a single day!
Our guide and driver, Curtis, was excellent—bilingual, knowledgeable, and engaging throughout the trip. He shared many interesting facts and provided helpful tips at each location, which really enhanced the overall experience. Despite the large group, he managed everything efficiently. Thanks to Curtis’s great time management, we were able to visit all the planned locations comfortably without feeling rushed. Pickup and drop-off arrangements were clearly communicated, and he was punctual at every stop. One highlight was our visit to Maru Koala Park, where Curtis showed us how to feed the kangaroos and getting great selfies with them—something we really appreciated. At Philip Island, his advice on where and how to spot the penguins made a big difference, and we had an amazing viewing experience. On the way there, we were also lucky to spot many wild wallabies, which added an extra touch of excitement to the journey. Overall, a very enjoyable and well-organized tour—highly recommended!
Good to know
Important:The exact departure time will between 8am to 12pm, the exact time provided 12 Hours before departing by SMS or E-mail
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