Australia’s most iconic steam train lights up at night every Winter (usually throughout school holidays in July) and is a bucket list experience every Victorian should try to see!

Every year Puffing Billy Railway puts on a visual light show through the Dandenong Ranges as it rides 2.5 hours return from Emerald to Gembrook. I finally got a spot onboard and felt like a kid watching the light installations illuminate the trees, I mean can you blame me?

As dusk falls and the chilly winter air sets in, the train will come to life with a dazzling display of moving lights, colours, and immersive patterns and once you reach Gembrook Station, you spend about an hour gathering around open fire pits, sipping on indulgent hot chocolate and listening to tunes of live music!

It usually sells out fast so you're extremely lucky if you get a ticket but if you want to chase the train I’d recommend waiting at Wright Station, Wright Trestle Bridge or Cockatoo Station to watch the train go past!