Belgrave: Puffing Billy, parks and leisure

For a trip to Belgrave, the Puffing Billy Railway and local leisure activities offer different options. These include station facilities, a park with walking trails, a cinema and treetop ropes courses. If you’re looking for a hotel in Belgrave, first consider whether you’re mainly planning a train ride, time in the park or a range of activities. Another railway structure is nearby, but it is in Selby.

Train rides and the station: two details to consider when planning

Passengers on the Puffing Billy Railway can start their journey at Belgrave Station or Lakeside Station. This is distinct from the route taken by the trains: all trains on the railway start in Belgrave and travel to Lakeside or Gembrook. The possible starting points for your own journey and the train destinations mentioned answer different planning questions. Check the operator’s current timetable for your preferred date.

Passengers can get souvenirs, food and drinks at the refreshment room at Belgrave Station. If you plan to use this facility, check whether it is currently open before your visit. Belgrave is also home to Puffing Billy Railways Locomotive Running Shed & Workshop. The railway’s locomotives are stored, maintained and restored there. The workshop therefore serves a different purpose from the station and its passenger facilities.

A railway structure nearby

Monbulk Creek Trestle Bridge, another railway structure near Belgrave, is in Selby. The wooden bridge has 15 spans and carries the railway over Monbulk Creek and the main road, Gembrook Road. It is 91.4 metres long and 12.8 metres high, and is classified by the National Trust of Victoria. Its spans and measurements give a concrete sense of its construction; the bridge is located in Selby, not Belgrave.

Park, cinema and ropes courses

Belgrave Lake Park has walking trails, picnic facilities and a play area. The park offers activities different from the railway and may be a good option if you’d like to spend time outdoors. Facilities may change; if needed, check their current status before your visit.

Cameo Cinemas screens new films and classics, as well as special screenings and live performances. As the programme may vary, check the current listings if you’re planning a cinema visit. Treetops Adventure Belgrave offers ten treetop ropes courses, six vertical challenges, more than 100 high ropes obstacles and 23 ziplines. The published figures for courses, obstacles and ziplines may change.

The Belgrave Railway Trail

The paved Belgrave Railway Trail offers another way to explore Belgrave’s railway heritage: it follows the historic route of Puffing Billy and runs for about 16 kilometres from Belgrave to Ringwood. There are gentle climbs to the foot of the Dandenongs and at Heathmont. Its approximate length and route distinguish the trail from the walking paths at Belgrave Lake Park: this is a route between two places, while the park offers walking opportunities on site. Trail conditions may vary.

These activities offer different ways to spend your time: a train ride and station visit, park trails, the cinema, ropes courses or a longer route. If the railway is a priority, consider both the possible starting point for your journey and the trains’ destinations. For other plans, the park facilities or the changing cinema programme may be the deciding factor.

Discover more destinations: Caulfield North, Yering, Noble Park, Keilor, Eumemmerring, Frankston, Parkdale, Eltham.

For the main travel overview: Melbourne.