Melbourne to Adelaide Train Journey

There's no more relaxing way to enjoy the trip between Adelaide and Melbourne than on the newly refurbished Overland. The Overland provides a comfortable, relaxing way to travel between the cities or to ease into a great holiday in either Melbourne, Adelaide or their surrounding regions.
This historic train pioneered inter-capital rail travel way back in 1887, its name inspired by the historic 'Overlanders' who travelled the route on horseback. A century on and a $4 million refurbishment later, today's train-travelling 'Overlanders' will enjoy the journey in relaxing comfort arriving at their destination in the early evening.

Throughout this interstate journey, guests can soak up a diverse range of landscapes from rugged mallee scrubland, to fields of golden crops, over vast open plains and through gently rolling hills.

The Overland passes through classic Australian country towns including Murray Bridge, Bordertown, Nhill, Dimboola, Horsham, Ararat and Geelong. So whichever direction you travel, the journey is a wonderful opportunity to relax in comfort, mingle with fellow travellers and delight in the ever changing countryside along the way.

 The Overland runs a daylight service between Melborune and Adelaide in both directions, three times a week. Guests also have the opportunity to disembark from the train to explore the many regions and towns The Overland passes through along its route. These guests simply re-join The Overland on a scheduled service that suits their holiday timetable.

Stopovers available

• Geelong
• Ararat
• Horshan
• Dimboola
• Nhill
• Bordertown
• Murray Bridge

On board, The Overland guests have the choice of two levels of service; Red Service and Red Premium Service. Red Service offers a value for money option with all the comforts you need, while Red Premium gives guests more services and more personal space. Both service levels offer guests ample room to move around the train and stretch their legs. The licensed Café Carriage also provides the chance to meet your fellow travellers and socialise in a comfortable, friendly environment.

You'll also find many great holiday packages for those planning a holiday from either Melbourne or Adelaide, including many touring and accommodation options that will allow you to discover each destination as well as regions and sightseeing highlights nearby.

The Overland links Melbourne with two of Australia's great trains; the mighty Indian Pacific which traverses this huge continent between Sydney and Perth, via Adelaide, and The Legendary Ghan, travelling between Adelaide and Darwin. It means The Overland opens up exciting train travel all over Australia from either Adelaide or Melbourne.

With The Overland's new levels of comfort and refurbished facilities, no matter what level of service you choose, travelling between Adelaide and Melbourne by rail is now a more comfortable, relaxing and unique experience complete with mesmerising views and the ability to move about the train as you wish.

Additional Information

All fares are inclusive of a fuel price surcharge. To receive concessional travel fares, Great Southern Rail is required to confirm your eligibility for the concession electronically with Centrelink.  If you do not want this to happen you will need to contact Centrelink or the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) to obtain a Pension Concession Letter as proof of your eligibility for the concession and provide this directly to Great Southern Rail before the concession can be given.

Return fares are generally double the one-way fare

CSHC = Commonwealth Senior Health Card Holder

Student Fares: are only available for full time students 16 years and over, who hold a current ID card from a recognised education institution.

YHA Fares: are only available to those holding a valid membership card to YHA.

Backpacker Fares: are only available to those holding a valid membership card from a major recognised Backpacker organisation.

*Rail Saver:  Payment required at time of booking. No changes permitted. Non refundable (100% cancellation fee). Subject to availability.

Pension and concession fares are valid for Australian citizens only

XMAS SERVICE:  Please be advised The Overland Christmas Timetable differs from the standard timetable