Puffing Billy with Healesville zoo private tour

Your journey will take you on a route through the Dandenong Ranges National Park amongst giant eucalyptus and fern trees, and through the artistic villages of Olinda and Kallista, where you will find antique stores and cosy cafés.

You will take a short ride on Puffing Billy, the oldest Australian steam engine, through the most splendid parts of the Australian forest. Australian cockatoos and rosella parrots will meet you at the bird-feeding area, after which you will be able to try the famous Australian pie in a local café, awarded many times with gold medals for serving the best pies in Australia.

In the second half of the day, you can visit one of Australia’s oldest zoos – Healesville Sanctuary, where you can see over 200 species of Australian animals including koalas, kangaroos, platypus, dingoes, wombats and emus. Wander through the tranquil tracks to explore this bushland haven for wildlife in a naturalistic setting. Head down to the Australian Wildlife Health Centre, where you can meet real vets and nurses and watch as they treat sick, injured or orphaned animals in need of care. Healesville Sanctuary also offer close-up encounters with native wildlife for an additional cost, availability is limited so please enquire if you are interested in booking this experience.

Upon finishing your tour you will be dropped off at your Melbourne hotel.

The costs below are not included in tour price:

Puffing Billy steam train 25 min raid – AU$26/13 per person (Adult/Child)

Healesville Sanctuary – AU$37/18.5 per person (Adult/Child), free for children at weekends and public holidays