Dangling legs
A ride tradition.
Lankyrider — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Alan Samuel — CC BY 2.0 · Stephen Edmonds — CC BY-SA 2.0
A historic narrow-gauge steam train winding through the forests of the Dandenong Ranges east of Melbourne, whose line opened in 1900 and which has become one of the world's best-known heritage steam railways, drawing families and visitors from around the globe. The old black locomotive hauls open-sided wooden carriages, and many passengers sit on the window ledges with their legs dangling outside, a famous tradition of the ride, as the train crosses old timber trestle bridges between mountain ash and giant tree ferns. The journey starts at Belgrave and stops at small stations to Lakeside, where you can walk and have lunch before riding back. Small hill villages with cafés and shops lie along the way. A Belgrave-Lakeside return is about A$62 to A$69 per adult, and booking online in advance is required, per visitor guides. Belgrave is reached by city train.
A ride tradition.
Through the forest.
A stroll and lunch.
Belgrave station, Dandenong Ranges, about an hour east of Melbourne
Yes, online advance booking is required, per visitor guides.