The Puffing Billy steam train in the Dandenong Ranges is one of Melbourne’s major tourist attractions – but did you know that on certain Spring and Autumn weekends you can enjoy Day Out with Thomas?
Families can join Thomas, James the Red Engine and Diesel for a steam train adventure from Lakeside to Cockatoo, complete with the chance to dangle your legs from the carriage sill* as the train whistles through the forest.
Party with Thomas the Tank Engine
All aboard for a magical Day Out With Thomas™ at Puffing Billy!
The 50-minute journey is just the beginning—back at the Lakeside Visitor Centre, kids can meet Sir Topham Hatt and Thomas, play at the Celebration Station and Play Pod, and snap photos with Troublesome Truck and Bulgy Bus. Every young fan also receives a special Thomas activity booklet and a Junior Engineer’s Certificate to take home.
EVENT SOLD OUT
Tickets for the Spring season have now sold out. We recommend signing up to Puffing Billy’s e-newsletter so you don’t miss out when tickets go on sale for the Autumn 2026 Day Out With Thomas™.
Puffing Billy Day Out With Thomas
A Day Out with Thomas is a special children’s event where the famous Thomas the Tank engine actually pulls the train through a part of the Puffing Billy track. Every little kid is so thrilled to see Thomas’ beaming face as the trains approach the platform!
The train ride starts and stops at Gembrook, the last stop on the regular Puffing Billy route. The trip takes about 35 minutes and you won’t travel the whole route to Belgrave.
You get a chance of riding with Thomas, Percy or Diesel, depending on who’s pulling which train.
Your ticket includes other family friendly activities, including a silent disco, jumping castles and animal nursery. You can even meet the Fat Controller!
Day Out with Thomas at Puffing Billy is a great day out with your little Thomas fans. We stay for about 1.5 hours but you can easily stay longer. Organisers state you should allow 3-4 hours for your visit.
Best of all, our visit has inspired lots of Thomas singing, stories and artwork from our kids for a long time afterwards. Don’t forget to claim your free personalised Junior Engineer Certificate!
HOT Tips for Day Out With Thomas:
- Book your tickets as soon as they become available for sale (check the The Puffing Billy website). A Day Out with Thomas always books out months in advance.
- The terms of sale state that there are no refunds/exchanges;
- If you can, book for the earliest train so you have more time to enjoy the activities;
- You will need to collect a wristband upon arrival which will include the booked time of train departure;
- Arrive 45 minutes (or earlier) before your scheduled train departure.
- For customers booked on the 2:00pm session, arrive 90 minutes prior to enjoy all the activities before your train ride – as the site closes at 3:30pm.
- There are queues for the petting zoo and jumping castle but they move more quickly as they know to shuffle kids in and out to give everyone a turn;
- BYO food and drinks or there is food available onsite;
- There’s a gift shop selling Thomas the Tank Engine merchandise;
- Onsite toilets and baby change area;
- Wheelchair and pram friendly site;
- Take sunscreen of course and another layer for cooler weather as the temperature is a couple of degrees lower up in the Dandenong Ranges compared to Melbourne; and
- There is NO parking available on-site at Gembrook. Parking is only available at Gembrook Primary School
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