On our Aussie vacay though, one of my favourite outings was to Puffing Billy Railway {website}. The locomotives are a heritage icon, a century old and run by over 900 volunteers - that's A LOT! I was really excited about bringing Bielet on a real steam engine because she kind of likes Thomas The Train (remember our time at Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park?). When I was doing holiday research, I found out that Puffing Billy has special themed trains - of which, one was (of course) Thomas.
Unfortunately, the Thomas train only runs during Spring and Autumn (we went in Summer) and the Christmas-themed train was fully booked, so we had to go for the normal train. But no matter, because we had such a nice time on the good ol' steam locomotive too!
Having a peek at the train before we headed to the platform proper
We had to collect the actual tickets with our online reservation printout. Oh, Bielet is wearing her raincoat because it was drizzling slightly, and we had to walk from the carpark.
Would you look at that crowd?!
The Christmas-themed train set off before ours so we got a glimpse of Mr & Mrs Santa Claus! And if you're wondering, it's perfectly okay to be dangling your legs out of the carriage (even when it's moving) - what fun!
Bielet snapped this of us three (pardon our zonked faces - this was early morning)
And a proper wefie of the fam!
As Belgrave was the closest station to our accomm (it's also the HQ for the railway), we set off from there to Lakeside, which is one of the stops with picnic grounds and takes an hour to get to (and another hour back). I wanted to go the full journey to the final destination Gembrook, but it would take close to 4 hours travelling journey both ways - definitely too ambitious with 2 little ones! See here for more on the stations and sights.
Leaving for Belgrave..............
To Lakeside!
1. Be the first ones in and get a good seat.
This is where being KS helps. The narrow carriages mean that once you have a seat, you can't move around (you shouldn't be walking when the train is moving, anyway) and if you're the last ones in, you'll need to squash in wherever there's space. Some of the families who came later had to be separated.
Tip! If you prefer open, sprawling views, get a seat at the side where the doors open. We didn't the first time round, and we ended up with the forest side. (It's a single track railway so the doors should always open on the same side.)
See how packed our carriage was! (Ignore my expression, I was obviously playing with the baby.)
2. Play 'Spot The xx'
It's easy for us adults to get caught up in the beauty of nature, but kids? It just looks all the same to them. We got Bielet to peer out and point to us her favourite tree or look for woodland creatures. The train wasn't moving that slowly, but at least she got the idea of looking outside the carriage and busying herself.
The above were taken towards Lakeside - loads of greenery
This was taken on our return trip, these are the sprawling views I was talking about!
For the younger ones who won't be able to play any spotting games, but will get fidgety anyways, stuff them. This might spoil their lunch, but preserve your sanity. With so many other families, there's bound to be someone who gets hungry. And when the other children see that, woe behold the parent who doesn't have a snack. The train is quite rocky so don't bring anything too challenging - like jelly or soup, leave that for the picnic (we had packed a modest lunch for ourselves, but also spotted many others lugging cooler boxes or trolley bags worth of picnic goodies!) You're welcome to eat and drink in the carriages but please, clean up behind your family.
In any case, the train motions will lull the children to sleep before long!
4. Get up close to the trains
This is one time you can go up to a working train and go all ooh and aah, instead of worrying it will whizz away (although if it's scheduled to leave, then stay away). Don't miss out on photo ops with the friendly volunteers too. They are quite obliging as long as the train isn't going off yet. For those keen to learn more about engines, you can ask the volunteers too - their roles (say, conductor) are prominently indicated on their uniforms.
Refuelling!
Get to see the workings of a steam engine
Another of their special trains, there are wine and dine options - even a "Murder on the Puffing Billy Express" (think real life cluedo over dinner). See all meals here.
Bielet called this 'Toby' after one of the steam engines in Thomas.
Bielet went up to request a snap
Waving us off!
5. Go ahead and dangle those legs
If you haven't done this, you can't say you have had a true Puffing Billy experience!
Even Bieny got in on the fun! It's obviously much more exciting when the train is moving, just make sure you watch the kids. There's not much bum space so it takes one determined person to seat this out an entire hour or more (not my kids).
Ah, much better!
Another thing to note is that because the carriages aren't closed, all the smoke goes in. Bielet also reminded me that when she sat at the edge and dangled her legs, "all the grass go inside my eyes". But. It is still an awesome experience.
Right, so this is only at Lakeside. And it's worth a go after filling your tummies with the picnic lunch.
We walked over this bridge and settled down for a leisurely picnic by the waters.
This photo very 'feeling'. Bielet made friends with the ducks by sharing her bread!
After lunch, we headed to the Aqua Bike!
Look for this park ranger's office. The queue for aqua bikes starts here.
Starting up (ZX went with Bielet because I was carrying the sleeping bub - good thing too, I think my legs would have spoilt by the end of the ride.....)
***
Thanks for the fun ride out, Puffing Billy!
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