There are a number of options to get to and from the Puffing Billy Running Festival. 

Please review the options carefully below and plan your trip in advance!

SATURDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2025

SLOWER THAN USUAL TRAFFIC IN EMERALD

Please note that there is a very popular local market in Emerald township held on Saturday. We strongly encourage you to allow an additional 45 mins – 60 mins travel time or to avoid Emerald township on the Saturday between 9am – 2pm.

CAR PARKING
Parking is EXTREMELY limited at Emerald Lake Park.

There are not enough car parking spaces for everyone to travel solo. The Emerald Lake Park car park will closed when it reaches capacity.
So, we urge you to find a buddy (or four) and car pool to and from the event or park and ride.
It’s cheaper in petrol, better for the environment and you can share the pre-race nerves and the post-race ‘runner’s high’, too.
We also ask that you consider keeping spectators and extra family members to a minimum at the start and finish line.

Recommended Car Parking Locations:

  • Lakeside Visitor Centre carpark (~200 spots) - to access, turn left at the fork on Emerald Lake Road, cross over Lake Treganowan and past the railway level crossing. Follow this road around and past the bus drop-off and accessible parking zone. General parking is to your right. Council-operated ticketed machines apply - $8 flat fee/day.
  • Lakeside carpark (~100 spots) – to access, continue straight and past the fork on Emerald Lake Road where you will find a cul de sac of car park spaces. Council-operated ticketed machines apply - $8 flat fee/day.
  • Worrell Reserve (15 min walk to finish line)
    Worrell Reserve, Main St, Emerald VIC 3782
    Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/E3U6rYSQ3FT6U8hXA
    We will have a shuttle bus operating for volunteers and staff on the morning
  • If travelling from the south of the race route:
    Pepi's Land (25 min walk to finish line)
    16 Beaconsfield-Emerald Rd, Emerald VIC 3782
    https://maps.app.goo.gl/naK44Fz2S9jZCkj26
    (Excellent viewing of train and runners!)
  • If travelling from north:
    Emerald Secondary College (15 min walk to finish line via Royal Parade)
    425 Belgrave-Gembrook Rd, Emerald VIC 3782
    Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/RizunS41EpTZYC2Z8
    (Please do not impede the athletes bus services that will travelling through this area.)

 

SUNDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 2025 – IMPORTANT

START LINE: BELGRAVE

OPTION 1: CATCH PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Go to www.PTV.vic.gov.au to plan your journey.

To ensure you have plenty of time pre-race, please note the following departures are scheduled on the Belgrave Line on the day:

EARLY BIRD:

  • From Flinders Street Station, depart at 5:43am and arrives at Belgrave 6:48am
  • From Ringwood Station, departs at 6:24am and arrives at Belgrave at 6:48am.

JUST IN TIME:

  • From Flinders Street Station, depart at 6:42am and arrives at Belgrave 8:02am.
  • From Ringwood Station, departs at 7:29am and arrives at Belgrave at 8:02am.

Public transport services are limited and you need to ensure you are at the start line at least 30 minutes prior to the race start (i.e. 8:00am arrival for an 8:30am start).

Please note that to travel on public transport in Melbourne you will need a myki card.

OPTION 2: PARK AND RIDE ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Park at a metro car park along the Belgrave line and then car pool with friends from there OR catch public transport to Belgrave Station. Please check the PTV Journey Planner before you travel.

Parking is available at the following stations on the Belgrave line:

Station Name Number of Car Spaces
Boronia394
Camberwell75
Ferntree Gully278
Heatherdale515
Heathmont112
Mitcham790
Nunawading207
Ringwood260
Upper Ferntree Gully308

OPTION 3: DROP OFF ZONES & CAR PARK SPACES

The new Belgrave Metro Carpark near the startline has now been completed and there are 600 car spaces available.

Despite this, we ask you to please plan ahead and reduce car travel to Belgrave whereever possible to reduce congestion.

Your transport plan for this year's Puffing Billy Running Festival should include the following considerations:

  • Get dropped off by family or friends, if possible.
  • Car Pooling, if possible. Share the pre-race and post-race vibes together.
  • Local participants are encouraged to walk / jog to the start line or from the finish line, if possible.
  • We strongly encourage family and friends travelling to the event to make their way straight to the finish line at Puffing Billy Railway’s Lakeside Visitor Centre, Emerald Lake Park (rather than to watch the start in Belgrave).

IF TRAVELLING FROM THE SOUTH OR WEST:

  • A “Drop Off Zone” at the roundabout of Belgrave-Hallam Rd and Belgrave-Gembrook Rd. This will be available until 7:30am ONLY. This will be managed by volunteers.
  • LIMITED car parks (~50) available at Mater Christi School car park on Bayview Rd prior to 7:00am (used with kind permission of Mater Christi). First come first served. Entry to Mater Christi is via Belgrave-Gembrook Rd only.
  • LIMITED car parks (~80) available at Belgrave Recreation Reserve at 1A Reserve Rd, Belgrave.

IF TRAVELLING FROM THE NORTH OR EAST:

  • A “Drop Off Zone” near St Thomas More Primary School on Reynolds Lane in Belgrave and walk.
  • LIMITED (~80) car parks available at Alexanders car park in Belgrave. First come first served.
  • LIMITED (~80) car parks available at Belgrave Town off the Burwood Highway in Hillside Court, Belgrave. (Next to Australia Post). First come first served.
PBRF 2024 Belgrave Parking

ROAD CLOSURES

On Sunday 14th September 2025, traffic management safety controls including road closures will occur on roads associated with the Puffing Billy Running Festival.

This will occur between 7:30am - 12noon and includes the race route and surrounding roads.

Motorists are required to obey directions from Police and Traffic Controllers and be aware of runners on the roads.

Puffing Billy Railway apologises for any inconvenience caused to residents and motorists during this period.

A full list of roads affected are available on the website:

https://puffingbillyrunningfestival.com.au/travel/road-closures/

FINISH LINE – EMERALD LAKE PARK

OPTION 1: FREE SHUTTLE BUSES FROM EMERALD LAKE PARK

FREE Shuttle Buses: Shuttle bus service will commence at 9:45am and will take participants back to the start line in Belgrave. Tickets may be booked through the registration system at no cost. These shuttles will keep circulating until approximately 11:30am or until all participants have been transported.

OPTION 2: FREE DIESEL TRAINS FROM EMERALD LAKE PARK

Participants-only Diesel train: For the return trip to Belgrave, this early diesel train service will depart Emerald Lake Park (Finish line) at 10:25am and arrive at Belgrave (Start line) at approximately 11:35am.

This service MUST be booked through the RaceRoster system prior to the event and is now sold out.

OPTION 3: CAR PARKING NEAR FINISH

Parking is EXTREMELY limited at Emerald Lake Park.

There are simply not enough car parking spaces for everyone to travel solo. The Emerald Lake Park car park will close when it reaches capacity.

So, we urge you to find a buddy (or four) and car pool to and from the event or park and ride.
It’s cheaper in petrol, better for the environment and you can share the pre-race nerves and the post-race ‘runner’s high’, too.
We also ask that you consider keeping spectators and extra family members to a minimum at the start and finish line.
Please do not impede the athletes bus services that will travelling through Emerald Lake Park.

Recommended Car Parking Locations:

  • Lakeside Visitor Centre carpark (~200 spots) - to access, turn left at the fork on Emerald Lake Road, cross over Lake Treganowan and past the railway level crossing. Follow this road around and past the bus drop-off and accessible parking zone. General parking is to your right. Council-operated ticketed machines apply - $8 flat fee/day.
  • Lakeside carpark (~100 spots) – to access, continue straight and past the fork on Emerald Lake Road where you will find a cul de sac of car park spaces. Council-operated ticketed machines apply - $8 flat fee/day.
  • Worrell Reserve (15 min walk to finish line)
    Worrell Reserve, Main St, Emerald VIC 3782
    Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/E3U6rYSQ3FT6U8hXA
  • If travelling from the south of the race route:
    Pepi's Land (25 min walk to finish line)
    16 Beaconsfield-Emerald Rd, Emerald VIC 3782
    https://maps.app.goo.gl/naK44Fz2S9jZCkj26
    (Excellent viewing of train and runners!) 
  • If travelling from north:
    Emerald Secondary College (15 min walk to finish line via Royal Parade)
    425 Belgrave-Gembrook Rd, Emerald VIC 3782
    Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/RizunS41EpTZYC2Z8
    (Please do not impede the athletes bus services that will travelling through this area.)

 

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