The Overland

The Overland offers a relaxing way to enjoy the trip between the two cities of Melbourne and Adelaide.

The Overland provides the ideal way to travel between Melbourne and Adelaide. With a daylight service running between Adelaide and Melbourne in both directions, you’ll enjoy a relaxing, comfortable journey between these two great cities, taking in a diverse range of landscapes from rugged mallee scrubland, to fields of green and gold.

The Overland Stats

Average length of train:	189m
Average weight of train:	322 tonne (excluding locomotive)
Length of track:	828km
Length of journey:	10.5 hrs
Symbol:	An Emu – this truly Australian bird is recognised for its speed and grace as it runs through the wide open lands.
Total number of carriages:	Total number of carriages 7 - plus locomotive and motorail (Standard train for The Overland is based on a single consist)

The Overland began life as the Intercolonial Express in October 1887 when the Victorian and South Australian rail lines were joined at the state border. The train travelled between the Victorian capital city of Melbourne and the South Australian capital city of Adelaide, stopping at a number of regional townships along the route.

Originally, the Intercolonial Express operated a luxury overnight service complete with dining cars. The train became known as The Overland in 1926. Following World War II, The Overland moved into the modern era, introducing air-conditioned carriages and earning the unusual honour of being the first train in the world to generally offer showers in its sleeper cabins.

In the 1950s, the traditional steam engines were replaced with diesel. Today, The Overland operates twice-weekly daytime journeys between Adelaide and Melbourne. Travellers can sit back and relax in the comfort of their Red or Red Premium Service carriage or sample fast, fresh fare from Cafe 828, the train's licensed restaurant car.

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