Since 1900, Australia’s iconic preserved steam railway, Puffing Billy, has carried more than 11 million passengers through the lush landscapes and rolling hills of the Dandenong Ranges.
For over a century, it has offered an experience found nowhere else in the world—riding in traditional open-sided carriages with legs playfully dangling over the edge, a cherished memory for generations of Victorians and visitors alike.
As one of Victoria’s most beloved tourist attractions, Puffing Billy welcomes more than 500,000 visitors annually.
The railway’s growing popularity in recent years highlighted the need for expanded facilities to support this increasing demand while enhancing the overall visitor experience.
In late 2019, Kane Constructions was awarded the contract to deliver the new Puffing Billy Lakeside Visitor Centre, located within the scenic Emerald Lake Park. Designed to serve as a vibrant and functional hub, the new centre includes a café, commercial kitchen, visitor information services, retail areas, educational spaces, interpretation displays, function rooms, staff offices, and public amenities.
While the architecture marks a deliberate shift from the railway’s traditional heritage aesthetic, the contemporary design was the result of a rigorous consultation process.
Input was gathered from internal stakeholders as well as external experts and community members. The result is a thoughtfully designed facility that respects the historical significance of Puffing Billy while addressing the evolving needs of today’s diverse audience.
The Lakeside Visitor Centre is more than just an infrastructure upgrade—it is a celebration of the past, a reflection of the present, and an investment in the future of one of Australia’s most treasured tourist destinations.
We were approached by Kane Constructions to meet the design brief
which we were able to recommend a natural Blackhole blackbutt, with its textured timber grains and features, that communicated with the natural cladding ceiling and walls throughout the newly constructed centre.
Utisling our European bentwood chair, it matched the black colouebond and hues rhroughout the interior, whilst provided a lightweight visual option in the spanning eatery area.
Outdoors, our custom-made Silver Ash bench sets—fully welded and manufactured in-house—were paired with black powder-coated steel wire chairs. This combination sat seamlessly within the industrial architectural setting, overlooking the natural beauty and forested landscape of the Dandenong Ranges.
It was a pleasure to be part of such a meaningful and historic project here in Victoria.
John and the team created a tailored furniture selection and custom fitout solution — helping to bring our vision to life at Puffing Billy Railway.
CEO, Puffing Billy Railway
Puffing Billy Railway Image Gallery
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