HISTORY

The Upper Ferntree Gully to Gembrook Railway, known the world over as ‘Puffing Billy’, opened on December 18, 1900.

Closed fifty-three years later because of a landslide, it was rescued from oblivion by volunteers of the Puffing Billy Preservation Society who, through fund-raising and manual effort, succeeded in rebuilding and reopening it in stages.

Menzies Creek was reached in 1962, Emerald Town in 1965 and Emerald Lake Park (Lakeside) in 1975. Since 1990, Society volunteers, with financial support from the State Government, the Andrews Foundation and donations from members and sponsors, have re-built the line to its original terminus.

After 45 years, Puffing Billy trains again run to Gembrook from October 19, 1998 with a grand reopening ceremony.

The Society’s dream has been realised.

WHAT YOU WILL SEE ...

The newly restored 11 km section of the Puffing Billy Railway between Emerald Lake (Lakeside) and Gembrook offers a vastly different range of experiences to that already delighting visitors of all ages.

• 3 magnificent timber trestle bridges

• the unspoilt Wright State Forest

• Picturesque Cockatoo Creek valley

• historic Cockatoo township

• spectacular views across cultivated farmlands and the famous Yarra Valley wine region, toward the majestic Warburton Range

AT HISTORIC GEMBROOK ...

• Russell Park (electric BBQ)

• The Ranges Hotel, a typical Aussie country pub. (Lunches available Thursday to Sunday).

• The Motorist Vintage Motoring Museum & Cafe

• M&M's Place for snakes

• Country Craft Market

• Timbertop Mini Golf

• Bush Tours & Walks

• Visit Kurth Kiln, Bunyip State Park, and Ship Rock Falls

There is so much to see & do at Gembrook that you may want to stay overnight at the Ranges Hotel or one of the fine Bed & Breakfast establishments nearby and travel back on Puffing Billy the next day.