Disappointment struck when we arrived at Belgrave (40km east of Melbourne) and found the Puffing Billy Steam Railway was fully booked.
We made the most of the situation and spent the day chasing down the trains as they made their way through the magnificent Dandenong Rangers.
Listened to the hissing of the steam, the whistle blowing and the chugging noise as the train moved along the tracks. Waved to the passengers aboard the open carriages as they rolled passed us, their faces full of joy.
Once the train had left the station we explored the vibrant town of Belgrave and Gembrook both surrounded by large trees and bush.
Emerald Lake Park is one of the destinations of the Puffing Billy which is set in a tranquil rainforest. The lake has paddle boats for hire and a wading pool for the little ones. We all cooled off in the pool and admired our surrounds.
It is a stunning park with plenty activities for the whole family including playgrounds, picnic shelters, fishing, walking trails, tea rooms and a model railway. We could have easily spent the whole day here.
We are not a family who plans what we are going to do while we are on holidays. We are carefree and decide on a whim what to do. Maybe we should be more organised to avoid disappointment but more often that not it leads to a new exciting adventure.
Let Me Be Free 
Hey Annie, i love your adventure stories. Byrons disappointed little face is pulling at my heart strings though. Looks like a brilliant holiday. Love ya
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We had a great holiday, it just goes way too fast!!!
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Love old steam trains. Haven’t been on one for years. Love the look of the Emerald Lake Park too.
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We kept saying we were going to take the kids on a steam train over here in WA but a bush fire came through and the train is no longer.. Such a shame.
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It’s so pretty in the Dandenong ranges. Lovely post, shame Puffing Billy was fully booked.
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It sure is pretty and lots to do.
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I love steam trains. Thanks for the great blog!
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There is just something about the old trains!
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We like to plan but we have already discovered when we had to leave 2 days late on our Odyssey that it’s less stressful to go with the flow.
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Yes much easier to go with the flow and if you like a place you can stay longer. It is good to have no fixed plans.
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We are family who does not do a great deal of prebooking either. Therefore on occasion we have missed an intended activity, yet the result often is that we discover and explore a place more indepth. Just as you did at Belgrave.
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We also missed out on Luna Park as it was not open week days but probably saved us quite a few pennies!!
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