Thomas the tank day with Percy and Diesel. Wow, what an absolutely amazing experience,  our family had quite a great day especially my little son whom is so infatuated with Thomas the tank engine,  he was absolutely blown away the whole time start to finish. We have done puffing Billy multiple times with family coming from overseas but this takes the cake and eat it too. Plenty of food and beverages so much variety to choose from,  toilets for all. Everything is well written and all access is possible Even for prams and wheelchair access. They have thought of everything. The staff are awesome very adorable always willing to help you even take photos or video for you, so lovely and very polite,  what was also great to see was the staff actually dressing up in their outfits to coincide with the whole Thomas the tank and friends. All in all a very great day even had ample parking for all day for only $5 i think it was the local scouts group running that, but hey if you can help the local community why not right! If you have no had this experience as yet put it on your bucket list,  as your kids will absolutely love it so will you if you're a big kid like me at time's. Keep up the great work guys.........

New visitor centre opened 5 Nov 2021. Great architectural building, cute gift shop, museum very interesting, cafe has great views and atmosphere. Coffee and food well priced and delicious and beautifully presented. All staff including greeters,gift shop, cafe and even the cleaners were all so friendly and helpful and genuinely happy in their jobs. And then there is of course the puffing billy train itself traversing the beautiful countryside. Also don't miss the model railway exhibition in a different building but so worth a visit.

My kids (3 and 5 years) loved this experience and so did I! We caught the stream train in the open sided carriage from Lakeside to Gembrook. The kids dangled their legs over the side and really soaked up the real steam train experience and the scenic surroundings. The staff both at the stations and on the train were exceptionally friendly and helpful. This is a popular attraction with o/s tourists. Emerald Lake Park is also a beautiful place in its own right and the birdlife is both amusing and playful.

This station is quite beautiful (it has been built to still look like how it was in the VR days). It also has a wig-wag signal, one of the few extant ones in Australia that are still being used. There is a refreshments section which is well-stocked, prices are normal for what type of store it is. The steam trains complete it. It is pretty cool and worth a visit.

Lakeside used to be a nice little bushy station and great for family picnics. Now its a horrendously ugly carved out concrete monstrosity slapped on the side of a lake, Removing any accessibility it once had so they can sell/push their overpriced picnics packages with a Puffing Billy ride. Really disappointing to see and experience.

Took an 1 hour train ride from Belgrave Station to Lakeside. The ride was beautiful and we had a 1h30min stop at Lakeside station. There is a cafe at Lakeside where you can grab some food (coffee was not the best), and there is a paddleboat rental there which was worth going! A peaceful trip away from the buzz of the city.

This is a lovely station with very friendly staff. We stopped here for 30 minutes on the Puffing Billy line. You can hire bike boats on the lake or do longer walks. Coffee from the station cafe was good, not exceptional, but its just coffee. Quite busy on a Saturday morning.

The lakeside station of the Puffing Billy Railway. It's a cute little traditional station, and the area is full of birds, beautiful flowers (such as the waratah) and a picturesque lake. Just be aware it's $6 for all day parking.

Great train and infrastructure. Great volunteers . Only suggestion is to try minimise the wait times for the kids suggested Arrival time vs train departure time was over a hour. Was a great train trip though.

Great train with natural view.. kids enjoying more than adults..short route is advisable for adult if they want to ride on steam train otherwise beat bored on whole routes.. lake view amazing and peaceful…

Great day trip! Would love to see some different healthy food options and more substantial quality meals but otherwise can't fault this amazing piece of Hills history! We love Puffing Billy …

A full-day experience, great for everyone; especially children. Friendly staff and quality time. The ride to/from Lakeside station is full of scenic views and will create memories to cherish.

If we are traveling from Belgrave, we usually get 1.5 hours to spend here. Visitor's center is where we can have quick bite and we can have quick walk and pedal ride on Lake.

One of the most beautiful train stations on the Puffing Billy track. The Emerald lakes add to the beauty. Very popular with tourists. There's a small museum as well.

Great place for a picnic. Small pool (free), paddle boats ($1 per min for two) and BBQ/shelters. Also has a playground and lots of grassy areas. Take your bathers.

Best steam railway in Australia. The park around the station is a lovely wander through the botanic gardens and a massive model railway just up the hill.

Steam train heaven! A once-in-a-lifetime experience for young kids and an enjoyable trip down memory lane for their grandparents. Great value for money.

We all enjoyed the trips on puffing billy steam trains.. Its a different experience. We can enjoy very special scenic beauty during autumn season..

Awesome place to spend a day with family kids loved it. Great customer service New visitor centre at lakeside is very beautiful and clean.

Great railway, nice stations, most of the staff are approachable, trains are top notch but prices are out of touch with reality.

Steam engine train...one of kind experience, specially when the train hoots and people wave at you...and you wave them back

One of a kind experience and a great attraction for visitors and their families in Melbourne. A must visit sightseeing.

Unexpected delight as we went to see Emerald Lake and have a stroll. A great job modernising while keeping the history.

A must go to visit and take the train ride. View was magnificient and conductors and guards are all very friendly.

It was a very romantic as it was my anniversary with my girlfriend. It was raining and fogs everywhere. …

A good quality time for tourist. Awesome environment. Friendly staff. Cafe + souvenir shop + lake + restroom

Great place for day picnic. Catch steam train from Belgrave to Lakeside, great trip for young families.

The ride here was chilly but the sights were amazing. Great cafe to refuel before heading back.

The new Visitor's center at Lakeside is amazing. Good food options and great free displays

It was an awesome experience. Definitely enjoyed the steam train and sitting on the sills.

Small cafe and gift shop. The lake is quite small and just short walk from the station.

So much to do ,very relaxing,lovely picnic areas and very enjoyable ride on train.

Has a small gift shop and food store. Inexpensive and life line in cold weather

people visiting this place please look at the timetable in my attached photo

Lovely day out with family and grandchildren. Put it on your "to-do" list.

Great to see trains. But pricey but there are discounts available.

Only one small cafe around. A short stay is enough for visitors.

Nice view with vintage train ride,also enjoyed lakeside park.

Nice and quiet place. Cool breeze. Cafe with immunities.

Pretty good food at the cafe. Small lake but beautiful.

Not much to do on a wet day, but otherwise beautiful

small but beautiful lake, a very nice place for rest

Such a great experience for families or for a date.

Interesting experience with incredible hill view.

Relaxing entertainment reminder of my childhood

Lovely area even has spot's to have a picnic.

very nice town and friendly crew to tourists

I'm sure that kids will have fun …

Great part of then train experience

Must try once when go to Melbourne

Lovely experience. Recommend!!

Nice place to visit with kids

Historic place to visit.

great family experience

Nice place for everyone

A unforgettable ride!

Great place

Great fun.

Beautiful

Fun