Australia Day 3 - Melbourne Puffing Billy Railway

11 May - Today is meant to be a chill & relax day, with the main program to bring *OEE* to experience a real steam train ride at Puffing Billy Railway. I am glad I have booked the tickets for the popular route (Belgrave - Lakeside) on Klook about 2 months in advance. When I was at the ticket counter to collect my physical tickets, I learnt that all available tickets are fully sold for the next 3 weeks! There are simply no tickets for any walk-ins.

Our morning started with breakfast at McDonald's near the Queen Victoria Market. After filling our stomach, we took a local metro (1.5 hours journey) from Flagstaff to Belgrave. The Puffing Billy Belgrave Station can be accessed from the side gate of the metro station. Just follow the onsite instruction and you will arrived at the ticket counter in 5mins. One interesting note about this Puffing Billy is that it allow riders to sit on the window sill (with legs hanging out) for the entire ride to Lakeside! Certainly a good way to enjoy the scenery throughout the ride.

Puffing Billy Belgrave Station

This is our train!

.

Here comes our Steam train!

Eagerly waiting for departure. All riders on window sill!

Departing Belgrave

Pitstop at Menzies Creek for a few minutes 

Reaching Lakeside Visitor Centre

Railroad Crossing

Autumn is coming

Puffing Billy Lego set on display

We ended up grabbing a quick lunch at the Lakeside Visitor Centre "The Railway Cafe". This cafe has gone cashless and only accept card payment. Food wise is so-so but a little on the expensive side. We boarded our steam train back to Belgrave and took the metro back to Melbourne City Centre, where we diverted a little to visit the Hosier Lane, which is famous for the Street Art.

Street Art at Hosier Lane