Puffing Billy Railway Lakeside Visitor Centre
Highlights
- Discover the authentic sights and sounds of Puffing Billy Railway amidst the lush rainforests of Emerald Lake Park.
- Savour a meal at the modern café while enjoying views of Lake Treganowan's cool waters.
- Explore scenic walking trails or hire a bike for an adventurous day in the picturesque Dandenong Ranges.
- Uncover steam artefacts in the Lakeside Hall before boarding your historic steam train for a memorable journey.
Nestled amongst the towering rainforests, cool fern gullies and native flowers of the Emerald Lake Park precinct, the Lakeside Visitor Centre combines its natural surroundings with the authentic sights, smells and sounds of Puffing Billy Railway to offer guests a cultural hub with world-class facilities.
Dine in at the modern café, hire a bike, explore the walking trails, or jump on a paddleboat in the cool waters of Lake Treganowan. Discover steam artefacts in the Lakeside Hall before jumping onboard your steam train, or host an event in a private function room.
Whether you’re after outdoor adventure or total relaxation, the Lakeside Visitor Centre is the perfect destination to meet, eat, drink, and spend your day whiling time away with family and friends. Open daily year-round (except Christmas Day). Entry is free.
Located 40 kilometres east of Melbourne, Lakeside Visitor Centre is an easy one hour drive from the CBD and a picture perfect rest stop for walkers or cyclists on the Eastern Dandenong Ranges Rail Trail. The centre sits at the heart of Puffing Billy Railway, adjoining Lakeside Station in Emerald, the highest station on our mountain track. Travel by steam train from Belgrave for an idyllic lunch stop by Emerald Lake, or start your adventure at Lakeside and travel east towards Gembrook.
Images and Video
Accreditations
-
ATEC Korea Host
- Australian Tourism Export Council
- Regional Tourist/Tourism Association/Organisation
- Victoria Tourism Industry Council
Features
Actively welcomes people with access needs.
General access
- Offers multiple options for booking – web, email, phone is available.
- Offers a range of contact methods for receiving complaints.
- Companion Cards are accepted.
- Assistance with booking arrangements (includes providing clear itineraries with written instructions on what to do at various destinations)
Physical – Mobility
Caters for people with sufficient mobility to climb a few steps but who would benefit from fixtures to aid balance. (This includes people using walking frames and mobility aids)
Physical – Wheelchair
Caters for people who use a wheelchair.
- Step free outdoor pathways (includes picnic areas, barbecues and shelters)
- A step free main entrance to the building and/or reception area (includes ramps or slopes with a maximum gradient of 1:14, otherwise are too steep for wheelchairs)
- Step free access to restaurant, lounge and bar
- Step free access to the conference or function room
- An accessible public toilet which is unlocked.
- Portable ramps.
- At least one wheelchair accessible parking space with wheelchair accessible signage clearly displayed (International standards are 3200mm wide x 2500 mm high).
Physical – High support needs
Caters for people with high support needs who travel with a support person.
- Have a Changing Places or Lift & Change toilet with a hoist and adult change table
Allergies and intolerances
Caters for people with allergies and intolerances.
- Modify their cooking and cleaning practices to cater for people with food allergies or chemical intolerances (could include menus with meals free from: nuts, dairy, seafood, eggs, gluten etc).
Access & Inclusion
An access and inclusion statement is available on the business website.
- https://puffingbillyrailway.org.au/visit-us/accessibility/
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