Unforgettable Australia - Adelaide to Melbourne

There's no better way to enjoy the trip between Melbourne and Adelaide than on The Overland. Recently refurbished, The Overland provides a comfortable, relaxing journey between the cities and a great way to ease into a holiday in either Melbourne, Adelaide or surrounding regions.

With Motorail Service onboard The Overland, Great Southern Rail provides you with the opportunity to travel in comfort on all of our great trains, then enjoy the convenience of your own vehicle at the end of the line, ready to discover new and exciting places.

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. 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 Adelaide and Melbourne in both directions, two 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, then simply re-join the train on another scheduled service that suits their holiday timetable.

The Overland links Melbourne with two of Australia’s Great Train Journeys; the mighty Indian Pacific which traverses our huge continent between Sydney and Perth via Adelaide, and The Legendary Ghan, travelling between Adelaide and Darwin via Alice Springs. The Overland opens up exciting train travel all over Australia from either Adelaide or Melbourne.

The Overland Journey Overview

Route: Adelaide – Melbourne, Melbourne – Adelaide
Duration: Daylight Service in both directionsv Distance: 828 kilometres (513 miles)
Frequency: Two times per week in both directions

Important information about The Overland Services

From May 2013, selected Saturday westbound services for The Overland (Melbourne to Adelaide) will be affected by the Regional Rail Link project.

Regional Rail Link is Australia’s largest public transport infrastructure project and Melbourne’s first new major rail line in 80 years. Upcoming works require the partial closure of Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station on weekends. 

Coach transfers from Southern Cross Station to North Shore Terminal (Geelong) will be available for all guests travelling on any of the affected services from May 11, 2013 to December 7, 2013.

Please note the Motorail service will not be available on any of the affected services.

Guests are advised to arrive at Southern Cross Station at least half an hour before the standard departure time of 8.05am. 

A coach service will transfer all guests and luggage to The Overland at the North Shore Terminal at Geelong. The Overland will leave North Shore Terminal at the standard departure time of 9.48am. Arrival time in Adelaide at 5.55pm remains unaffected.

The Regional Rail Link project may have further impact on The Overland services throughout December and early January.  Great Southern Rail will advise guests of any further affected services at the earliest opportunity.

Great Southern Rail has contacted all guests already booked on board an affected service. For further information about booking a journey on The Overland, please contact 13 21 47.

Affected services:

7MA8 (Melbourne – Adelaide) :   Saturday, 11th May 2013
7MA8 (Melbourne – Adelaide) :   Saturday, 1st June 2013
7MA8 (Melbourne – Adelaide) :   Saturday, 22nd June 2013
7MA8 (Melbourne – Adelaide) :   Saturday, 29th June 2013
7MA8 (Melbourne – Adelaide) :   Saturday, 13th July 2013
7MA8 (Melbourne – Adelaide) :   Saturday, 20th July 2013
7MA8 (Melbourne – Adelaide) :   Saturday, 3rd August 2013
7MA8 (Melbourne – Adelaide) :   Saturday, 10th August 2013
7MA8 (Melbourne – Adelaide) :   Saturday, 17th August 2013
7MA8 (Melbourne – Adelaide) :   Saturday, 31st August 2013
7MA8 (Melbourne – Adelaide) :   Saturday, 7th December 2013