Just an hour from Melbourne, you can hop aboard the Puffing Billy, a beautifully preserved steam train that winds its way through the stunning Dandenong Ranges. The real magic is dangling your legs from the open-sided carriages as you chug through fern gullies and over historic trestle bridges—it's an experience you won't find anywhere else. The journey to Lakeside is a local favourite, offering a perfect couple of hours to soak in the scenery before exploring the beautiful Emerald Lake Park.