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 - 1.2km and 5km runners
GETTING TO Emerald Lake Park
Please note that if you are travelling directly to Emerald Lake Park for the 1.2km Kids Dash and 5km Family Fun Run, we recommend that you travel there by car instead as public transport is limited.
TRAVELLING BY PUFFING BILLY
Wanting to make the day a truly memorable time out? Why not book a return trip aboard Puffing Billy from Belgrave to Lakeside return?
SATURDAY SPECIAL Train Schedule:
- 8.30am depart Belgrave
- 9.30am arrive at Lakeside
- 12.30pm depart Lakeside
- 1.30pm arrive at Belgrave
Please visit our Train Tickets page for all of your race train information, including how to book and pricing.
SUNDAY - 13.5km and 21.1km runners & passengers
CAR PARKING AND TRANSPORT - IMPORTANT
The new Belgrave Metro Carpark 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 where ever 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, 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 Belgrave).
Public Transport options:
- Catch public transport to Belgrave Station.
See http://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 6:48am.
- 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. 7:30am arrival for an 8:00am start).
- Please notethat to travel on public transport in Melbourne you will need a myki card.
Park and Ride:
- 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.
- Parking is available at the following stations on the Belgrave line:
- Boronia - 394 car spaces
- Camberwell - 75 car spaces
- Ferntree Gully - 278 car spaces
- Heatherdale – 515 car spaces
- Heathmont - 112 car spaces
- Mitcham - 790 car spaces
- Nunawading - 207 car spaces
- Ringwood - 260 car spaces
- Upper Ferntree Gully - 308 car spaces
OUR TRAVEL RECOMMENDATIONS:
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 for VOLUNTEERS ONLY at Mater Christi School car park on Bayview Rd prior to 7:00am (used with kind permission of Mater Christi). Entry to Mater Christi is via Belgrave-Gembrook Rd only. Volunteer passes must be displayed.
If travelling from the north or east:
- A "Drop Off Zone” near St Thomas More Primary School on Reynolds Lane in Belgrave and walk. This will be managed by volunteers.
- Park at a metro car park along the Belgrave line and then catch public transport to Belgrave Station. (see list above)
- 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.
CAR PARKING AT EMERALD LAKE PARK (Finish Zone)
Parking: There are two carpark options in the Emerald Lake Park precinct and one nearby at Emerald Secondary College.
- 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 - $6 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 - $6 flat fee/day. - Please note overflow car parking is available at Emerald Secondary College (425 Belgrave-Gembrook Rd, Emerald VIC 3782) and then a short walk to Emerald Lake Park.
