Melbourne 2016 Day 6: Puffing Billy

DAY 6: 5 DEC 2016

Puffing Billy

Another day trip out of the city!

Initially we wanted to visit Werribee Zoo, but we didn't want to risk travelling

all the way there and not get to see many animals.

Also, we had a lot of time in Melbourne.

Usually people only spend about 4 or 5 days in Melbourne, but we had 6 full days.

While researching, we found out about Puffing Billy!

And we decided to try it out (:

To get to Puffing Billy Belgrave station, you can either drive or take a train

to Belgrave station and walk.

We took the train from Parliament Station and headed to Ringwood station.

We had so much difficulty boarding the right train as there were so many different destinations.

The first train we boarded stated Belgrave, limited express.

However, upon arriving at Flinders Street Station, the announcement board

stated limited express to Riversdale which would be off-track from Ringwood.

So, we alighted at Glenferrie station and boarded the train towards Lilydale.

To avoid the same mistake as us, always board the train towards Lilydale.

You will not go wrong with that.

As they were doing track maintenance between Ringwood and Belgrave,

we had to alight at Ringwood and board the train replacement bus service instead.

That added at least 30 minutes to our travelling time.

After 2 hours of train & bus rides, we finally arrived at Belgrave station at 10.50am!

We purchased the 11.10am tickets to Lakeside and we decided to head to the queues

to get a good seat on the train!

The best seats will be the middle carriage to the right of the train.

The train will be moving onto a bridge within 4 minutes of departure and it

will be a great opportunity for photos!

 

 Puffing Billy is actually an old steam train and the facilities are managed by volunteers.

It was as though Hogwarts came alive, except for the fact that we were dangling

our legs out of the carriage.

First Stop: Menzies Creek

Menzies Creek was our first stop and only a few alighted here.

If you want to experience Puffing Billy but you are short of time, you can choose to

alight here and take the train on the opposite platform back to Belgrave.

Having said that, I have travelled a long way here, so I am definitely going to spend

more time here.

And besides, it was a good opportunity to get away from the city and enjoy the nature in

the Dandenong ranges.

Lakeside station

 After an hour, we finally arrived at Lakeside at 12.06pm.

There was a train returning to Belgrave at 12.30pm but we decided to take the 2.25pm

one instead.

 

 There was pretty much nothing to see at Lakeside.

It was more of taking a stroll by the lake and duck-watching.

But I liked it as the lake reminded me of the Mirror lake in UConn.

How I wish I could turn back time and be a student once more.

But I am happy with my job now, in fact, 

it's my dream job and I love my job and students a lot.

Although they do upset me sometimes haha.

Swan Lake

If only I came in Autumn.

And the leaves will be painted red and yellow.

It will definitely be a pretty sight.

We boarded the train at 2.10pm to get a good seat again and

because we were pretty much done with exploring the area.

 We arrived back at Belgrave at 3.30pm and we boarded the bus back to Ringwood.

It was a long ride and I was so exhausted!

So I dozed off...

We arrived back at Flinders Street Station at around 5.30pm.

With no place in mind, we just wandered off. 

Donut shop at Degraves Street

 We had dinner at 11 inch pizza and bought a bottle of red wine for AUD$6

from Liquorland.

For this price, it was quite smooth and the taste was just right.

And sadly, this marks our last night in Melbourne :(