Puffing Billy - The Mile 26 Marker Belgrave, Victoria, Australia
By Rabbitto on 27-May-22. Waypoint GC9P4T3

Here for the Great Train Race; been here many times, including our wedding!

Thank u for the virtual cache. I have been to Melb several times, finally got the family to do this puffing Billy ride together . Yeah !!!!

Nice day for a ride!I will see you on route 26!

After a six-year ban, I rode on the first train that visitors can dangle their feet for the full journey on Puffing Billy railway. A super fun experience.

All ready for an adventure today! On a tour investigating this end of Melb for my GeoNan's birthday. So happy there's a cache here, TFTC!

**25/05/2024, 14:53:00****Find #5838****Virtual Find #73****Logged with Permission**I've been wanting to do this virtual cache since it was first published but just couldn't get up to Belgrave to do so. I headed here after a short hike through Lysterfield Park where I set about finding some challenge caches. I needed this Virtual to finish qualifying for one particular challenge.The station was all be deserted when I arrived and I had no trouble taking the required photo. I can't remember the last time I was on this station but I'm thinking it must be close to fifty-five years. **Thank-you to Rabbitto for placing this geocache**

Doing some caching in the area - very pleased to find there was a virtual. Took a rather long route to get to the correct location but got there. Love Puffing Billy. Photo added. TFTC

We had to fight our way through tourists eagerly waiting for the next train to get the photo. Still worth it! Ive never had the chance to go on Puffing Billy so Ill have to come back!

Found by Mary and David at 11:30. Our first find after "The 15th Cache (for 20 years of The 13th Cache)" Event. David followed the zig-zag path to GZ and took the required photographic evidence. Our thanks to Rabbitto.

After todays event TanSaf and I strolled over to the Puffing Billy railway station and finally worked out that we needed to be on the platform. The platform was rather crowded with passengers waiting for the train. We managed to sight the old milestone and took photos of each other. Heres the one TanSaf took of me.

I've been wanting to pick up this virtual for a while but could never find ample parking upon passing, until today where thanks to the nearby event I found a very cosy place to park the geo car. A group of us set out after the event to collect a few caches, including this one. WOW, getting to GZ with all the tourists was not easy. We literally had to form a Congo line to push through..then of course there was the barrier...meh what barrier 3 of us went under much to the amusement of the tourist who must have been wondering what was so special about this marker...none the less one of them later lifted the barrier for us to help us get back in...then we Congo lined it out.

After a nearby event, a small group of us hit a few caches in the area before going in our own direction. The group consisted of Tiz13, BlackOpal2005, muzza, and nirgalagrin and joined by SteMicMitSar for a few. This was one in our hit list today.Arriving on the Puffing Billy platform we were confronted with many tourists lined up awaiting Puffing Billy. Announcements indicated the next train was still over thirty minutes away. Moving in and out of the crowd, our little troupe made our way toward the front of the line, heading for the 26 mile marker. Suddenly it was there, on the other side of the tape barrier. Duck under and we were free of confining bodies. Photos taken and then back into the throng to make our escape and continue today's adventure.Thanks Rabbitto for placing this Virtual Cache, enhancing the game board and adding to our enjoyment.

I visited this cache in the company of BlackOpal2005, Tiz13, Nirgalagrin and Micaparamedic. The next train was still 25 minutes away, but the platform was packed with eager visitors waiting. The end of the platform was roped off so that meant we were able to get a clear picture of the milestone without any muggles distracting from it.Thanks to Rabbitto for the virtual.

In Belgrave for a little while on this lovely Melbourne Autumn afternoon, so finally completed this virtual. Bonus, I also worked out my phone has a setting to un-mirror selfies, so the 26 isn't back to front TFTC Rabbitto

Dropped in here just after 5pm on a Sunday and it was lovely and quiet. The gift shop was still open, and the plastic flags smell the same as they did when I was young. Photo attached with no person, so answers have been sent too. Thanks for the cache, Rabbitto.

I stopped by here while on the way to today's walk a bit further up the road. While the pickie doesn't show it, the station was packed with people waiting to board the train for its next journey. Thankfully I was able to make my way to the head of the queue and grab the shot at 09:40 with everyone in the line probably wondering why I was holding a phone with our team name on it while taking a photo with a GPSr. Thanks Rabbitto.

#2969 This is my day 275, and the longest physical cache find streak so far. I want to see how far I go. I am on a family vacation in Australia. After visiting Brisbane, Tasmania, and South Australia, now we are at our final stop, Melbourne. Today, we took the Puffing Billy train from Belgrave to Lakeside and found caches throughout the day. We were here early and were able to see the 1000 train boarding and leaving.Thank you for the cache!-crystaloops from Taipei, Taiwan @ March 5, 2024 09:40:53

Vielen dank fr den Cache.

Great cache. Thanks for placing it. Got this before getting on the Puffing Billy

Found whilst on a trip to Puffing Billy. Many thanks and greetings from UK

Found the marker today on a trip along the railway line with a new friend! He was aware of Geocaching in his home country thankfully. We went up the emerald lake and had a great adventure. My legs are very sore from our bushwalks, and a mini run back to the station as we nearly missed the last train back to Belgrave! TFTC

Out today with my good mate AdamWickenton in the Tecoma/Belgrave area to tackle some caches on a warm spring day. I do love a good Virtual cache, although there isn't many too local. When I saw this one close to our path for the day, we had to come and grab it. Tftvc Rabbitto

last cache for the day with Cooper from FisherFam5

A beautiful day to watch the trains. Not going for a trip due to Lions playing some sort of game this afternoon. Lots of smiling faces. Glad that you're allowed to hang out the carriages again. Thanks for a morning's entertainment.

Love this cache! Great day for finding caches

Great day to be here

Had a great time on Puffing Billy.

Pic

Visited today with Cygnus3333 we just missed out of being on the platform as Puffing Billy pulled out but did watch it from outside the front of the station/gift-shop. Heading through to the platform we couldn't quite get to the milestone marker as it was partitioned off so I took my photos from there (not great and hard to get both my pathtag and marker in focus at the same time so I used two images to make the one for this log. TFTC - it's been a very long time since I was here, and we might get a ticket to ride one day.

ready for the ride

We didn’t pick the best day to do some caching in Belgrave. You forget how cold it can get up in the hills, but we were rugged up and nice & warm. Puffing Billy was waiting for her passengers to board and it brought back a few memories. On another cold, blustery day, we had the pleasure of a ride on this beautiful train which included a delicious lunch.

A quick duck for the photo, then a chance to check out the souvenir shop.

Thanks for bringing us here today Rabbito.

Found while visiting Australia from the US.

You can tell from the photo (one on the camera one on the milepost) it wasn't the best day to be out and about.. No trains running either it seems.. although there were some engines in steam and about the loco shed. Thanks Rabbito.

A quick 'find' on a busy day while hunting for a good-but-cheap sleeping bag, among other missions. Passing through the town I saw a sign that seemed familiar, parked the car & soon located what I needed. Nice. TFTVC!

SP(UK)

I visited here with RedcbBluebm. Being mid week, there were very few people around, and we took our pics.
Unfortunately, mine has come out backwards, but I can confirm that Redcb was entirely in attendance.
Thanks for the fun Rabbitto.

Thanks for the cache! Getting ready to board Puffing Billy for a trip to Lakeside.

It was cold and gloomy but here we are. I haven't been here for years so it was interesting to have a look around. My selfie chopped me in half but my intrepid companion can vouch that I was fully there LOL .Thanks for the cache.

We were blessed with a beautiful sunny autumn day for a Puffing Billy ride. Picked up this virtual before boarding the train.

Thanks to Rabbitto for this virtual.
We foound this one towards the end of the day.
Drizzle and Rain had been our friends all day long.
The Dandenongs certainly were wet, cloudy, foggy and muddy today.
Mr S is in our photo.

Fixing a failed upload

Found with MissPiggy77 -- joint photo attached. Thank you for the virtual. Excited about the upcoming train ride.

After 4 years living in Melbourne we finally made it to the Puffing Billy. The train reminds me a of my childhood - taking the Steam Train up the Harz Mountain in Germany.

Visiting a friend in Melbourne and had to come visit Buffing Billy during the trip! TFTC!

Today was one of those days when a couple of things came together... I needed a Virtual for a challenge that I have almost finished and I needed to return some keys to Belgrave... a perfect excuse to drive over here. It was just a pity I chose to go when the rain swept through Melbourne... oh well, you can't get everything right in life!

Thanks **Rabbitto** for creating a Virtual cache here.

Paid a visit to the iconic puffing billy railway. Wanted to get tickets for the train but they were sadly sold out for the week. Explored the area anyway, spoke to the conductor and visited the control room too. Thanks for this one!

The choo choo train cache .

Nice ancient train system in this beautiful huge country .

Tftvc .

Cheers !

Today we were finally able to visit the Puffing Billy. It was a marvellous ride with that old train, all of us sitting on the carriage sills and enjoying the view. Unfortunately we didn't had to much time, as we had to continue to the Wilson Prom. for the evening. But a photo at km 26 was a must...

Thanks for the cache and regards from Switzerland.

On the way home staying in Melbourne and picking up the last of the smilies. Thanks to the COs. TFTC.

Last time I rode Puffing Billy was in the early 80s when I was a toddler. Good to be back.

*Found on the 13 Mar 2023 @ 12:58 pm.*
*Cache find # 14222.*

Today I targeted a few Virtual caches as I am needing a few more for a challenge cache.
I was on my way to Lilydale but detoured passed this one first.
I didn't realise that you could go onto the platform without paying for a ticket first, it has been a few years since I was here last, maybe 6 - 8 years ago and that time we did ride on Puffing Billy.

**Thanks to Rabbitto for placing this cache.**

trackable visit

Was really excited to find a cache here where we did our shore excursion off the Norwegian Spirit. Thanks for putting this here. My first Australian cache. Here from Oklahoma in the USA.

Finally made it here to log this one, been many years since I took a ride on puffing Billy.

Thanks Rabbitto for the cache.

It was getting close to closing time but the friendly conductor let us wander along the platform to take our photos.
It is a fantastic place that is always a pleasure to visit.
Thanks Rabbitto for giving us an excuse to come back here again.
Chiefton!!!

Been a number of years since we last travelled this railway. Thanks for bringing me back and rekindling the memories.

Just finished a great train ride with family. Was great fun dangling legs over the side and soaking up the view.
Thanks for the virtual!

Find number 11372 at 11:38:29 am on Tuesday the 13 December 2022
Needed a virtual today for a challenge and this looked like a good area for a walk today, around the station and back up through the shopping center chasing some labs.
A nice quick one this morning, wandered in through the shop and no one toby tackled me to the ground as I walked through the turnstyle so all was good
**Thanks for placing this cache Rabbitto**

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We’re all going to Rutherglen to participate in Victoria’s next Mega!
*Are you coming to join in the fun?*
[**The Rutherglen Event 2023**](https://coord.info/GC9MH9M)
*6th - 10th April 2023 - GC9MH9M - Rutherglen- Victoria*

We were there at 2:30 PM GAFF1
We were tasked with having to entertain the grandchildren today as there was some day off school which bothered their mum, so we took them to McDonalds for lunch and then told them that we were going to Emerald - but along the way told them that we had to stop and do this virtual which they were not too keen on doing until they saw what was involved with the run down to the platform and back again. They raised hell all the way and we made a game of who could get back up the hill to the car first - well it wasn't p-pprass, but he at least came second
Thanks Rabbitto.

In Melbourne to attend the Mega at Whittlesea with tmann421.
Enjoyed the short trip around locating a few caches before heading to the event
Log signed tm/ww NZ
Thanks to the cache owners for the efforts with the hides

Arrived in Melbourne to attend the MEGA Event at Whittlesea with woolwood9.
We came over a few days before to do some geocaching in the area first!

ww9 and I had a great time and this was a virtual cache we visited
*Thank you for helping to show us around different areas and adding to our enjoyment*

Despite rain and hail, we managed to get to the marker. The required photo is included with this log. Thanks fir the virtual cache.

Visited on a rather damp morning.
TFTC

Took a drive up here a few times but have never been here at the right time. Today we left with plenty of time to make the train. Even managed to pick up a new family member. We were surprised to see how full the mighty train was in the rain, not many seats left. Thanks for the cache.

Every time we’ve been in the area, the station’s been closed. Having finished work early today, I met up with Geoturtle37 and we headed straight here… just in time to see Puffing Billy filled with passengers about to choof choof away on its journey.
A quick pic and a wave to passengers later and we were on our way.

Thanks for bringing us here by placing this cache, Rabbitto ??

~????????~

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Big things are continuing to happen! *Are you joining the fun again in 2022?*
[**THE**](https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC8EW40)
[**WHITTLESEA**](https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC8EW40)
[**EVENT 2022**](https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC8EW40)
19th / 20th November 2022 – GC8EW40 – Whittlesea – Victoria
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Quick catch up with a good friend. She often gets dragged into geocaching adventures with me, whether it be placing caches, finding caches or making/completing AdLabs. After completing the street art Lab in Belgrave, we ended up here. Placed my favourite umbrella (Bunnings umbrellas are so big and sturdy!!) against the fence, propped my phone up on the nearby rubbish bin, set the timer, got the photo. Laughed all the way down the platform at the awkward pose that my friend was snapped in. She claims that I always strike a pose and she is left flailing and never knowing quite what to do with her legs. It wasn’t until after we’d walked back down the main street, bought loaves of sourdough, ordered dumplings for dinner and made it back to the car that I realised that the best umbrella in the world was missing. I’m quite sure it’s still propped up against the fence on the Puffing Billy platform. I’ll hope that it’s still there tomorrow when I go up and look for it.

Taken while waiting for our train to depart. Only half the team in the picture.

The platform was accessible when I arrived in the early afternoon. but no train in site.
The marker was soon found.
Thanks for the cache Rabbitto

Out for a drive in the Belgrave area with BoabTree and muggle husbands on a beautiful sunny day.
We made our way onto the platform and took our photos.
Thanks for this virtual cache Rabbitto.

Out caching with Echidna44, we were keen to do this virtual cache. I have posted my photo with this iconic marker.

We missed out on tickets on the train but this virtual was a good consolation prize! It just means we'll have to head back another day to give it a go. TFTC

Found with CMDYork. Nice quiet afternoon for a short walk

Found with yhtacmck
TFTC

I was on a mission to get to 8000 today, and this was one of them. Thanks For The Cache picture attached we always like puff and have a few hides both on it Find # 7999

Oops the pics

After spending the night camping and attending a few geo events in this this region, LeeLee headed here on the way home and this virtual was the target.

Arrived to see Puffing Billy's carriage fully loaded with happy faces, legs dangling and the wood engine fully stocked. She was about to leave.

Was pretty cool to see it depart and wave to the many phones recording the joy.

Thanks Rabbitto a great apot and FP added.

18:10
After the first celebration of Freddy's birthday, and pulling out massive quantities of forget-me-nots, it was back to looking for Tupperware in the bush.

By the time we'd finished a couple of multis and the most fun Adventure Lab that had just been published in Gembrook, n0w0rries and I had missed the lunch celebration, and the weather didn't look like improving, so we started slowly towards home.

I can vouch for the coffee at the bakery.

So why not add to the tally of SideTracked finds?

And while we're at it...

We'd played tag with Billy for a fair chunk of the afternoon, not quite being in the right place at the right time for snapshots or footage. Arriving here, we thought we were too late to get a photo opportunity before heading home, but no, it was still open.

So we got our shots.

Which reminds me, I'm due the next shot.

Thanks, Rabbitto

#6367

A day out in the area with nirgalagrin started in Berwick for Manfred Wolfgang's birthday celebration.

This was followed by a different style of CITO where we were pulling out Forget-Me-Not.

A new lab cache from Manfred & Co as well as local mysteries and multis.

Whilst we are on a bit of a mission, to find as many SideTracked Caches as possible, any others associated with train stations are generally added too

We rarely ever pass by a Virtual cache without stopping, so noticing that the gate was still open, here we are.
After taking a bit of a look around and snapping some photos we chatted with one of the volunteers as we were leaving.

Thanks for adding this one to the collection Rabbitto.
We thought we might bump into you at one of the events out this way today.

Came here with [@coybear2000](http://coord.info/PR9547H), checking out the station before returning tomorrow morning for our ride. As the station was open we decided to get this virtual. We certainly had an enjoyable day on our PB ride. TFTC.

Checking out the station before our trip tomorrow. TFTVC.

Found a shifty parking spot out the front today. Left geobabe behind while I flew in for the needed info.

A Puffing billy ride is a right of passage for every kid.

I remember being at a pantomime in Emerald for Tomas the tank engine. He wasn’t feeling very well. Apparently he had a yabbie in his tank.

Found by Omegaman1971

Only needed one more cache for my 10,000 milestone and couldn't think of a nicer place than Belgrave.
After doing the nearby multi cache I made my way to Gz and completed my mission and hit 10,000 finds.
Cheers Rabbitto for the cache and opportunity to hit my milestone.

Having worked here when I was younger I knew the place pretty well, so finding marker 26 was a breeze.

Finally really nice weather since all the rain so I headed out for a puzzle way over in the bush with a couple of random things on the way.
Well this place was packed today, it was like 5:15pm at Flinders St station in the city. I managed to get a couple of metres away though still and just got to include the marker even though it was "fenced" off.
Thanks Rabbitto for the cache, the adventure, the hunt and the fun.

Being in the area for a different reason we spotted this one on the screen and as we both like virtuals and this one is an area we both enjoy we thought that we would give it a bash , just presuming Puffing Billy would be running today.

Parking was a bit of a problem but after that was sorted we headed off to gz and did what we had to do, it was just a shame that puffing billy wasn't due back for quite awhile so we didn't get to see it today.

As we were leaving the station master stopped us and said that he had to ask what was going on and as he had seen a couple of other people do a smiler thing as he observed us taking our photo

We explained to him about geocaching which he had heard of before and seemed very excited that there was one so close.

Thanks Rabbitto for bringing us back to this great spot..

After getting bubble tea and wandering around Belgrave doing the new AdLab we came here. Had my young niece and nephew with us and Puffing Billy was at the station so the kids were thrilled. Great location for a virtual!

Found it! Visited here yesterday to take my photo with the mile marker. I used to bring my young nieces and nephews here to watch and ride on Puffing Billy. The trains were out and about when I visited. During lockdowns the station was deserted and so quiet. It’s great to see Billy is out and about again!

It was raining today so i ventured out to collect the recently released local Adventure Lab .. when i got an easy carpark i realised that today would be a perfect day to collect this virtual .. absolutely no people on the platform .. just rain .. and that was ok .. love Puffing Billy .. even got to blow the steam whistle once back in the day .. it was a good day..thanks for creating this virtual

Found it

I popped in right before Billy was about to take off - great timing and fond memories of my childhood and as a parent with my kids here. tftc

Woo hoo! Just made it to the platform tonight and obtained the photo right before they started locking up the place for the night.

I needed a Virtual this month as I am working on the "8*12 Month Type Challenge" (GC967WJ).

I have always meant to take the Puffing Billy journey, It's been on my list of things to do since I moved to Melbourne. Such a beautiful historical train, and it just takes you through, in my mind, some of the most beautiful area in Victoria.

This just reminded me that I really need to make that trip sooner then later. TFTC

TFTC. Here for a spot during school holidays. No muggles around since 2 trains left in the morning, and their return isn't until later.

Sorry to delay the post because I thought I already logged it but found out today while I was in Belgrave for Labs and checked it.
Great to see the steam train there.
Thanks, Rabbitto, for the virtual

Found it

First Virtual cache Thank you

After attending the Cuppa at the Cairn event at the top of Mt Juliet, I had just enough time for 1 more cache. However with my leg mussels cramping it had to be a pretty easy walk. Then I remembered that no-one seemed to want to find this one.

Even the ramp down to the platform was a little struggle, but glad I took my hiking pole with me. Getting down to the platform I was able to sit down and watch the engines putting carriages away. Then quickly grabbed the photos and emailed the answers to the CO at 3.35 pm.

I've always loved the Puffing Billy trails, but prefer the other end of the line where it's quieter.

Thanks for the cache Rabbitto
Hunter

PS.
3,963rd Geocache
44th Virtual Cache
358th [FTF]

PPS. Permission to log FTF received from CO.

FTF now gone at 3.35pm?
CO to confirm, photo and answers sent.
Thanks
Hunter

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