Make the most of free trains: 10 of the best trips to take from Melbourne

There’s chaos in the Gulf and petrol prices are going through the roof, which means the classic driving holiday has a far steeper price tag. But wait! As a cost of living measure, public transport has been made free across Victoria for the month of April. Here’s how to switch from road to rail for a memorable break.

Trams through Bendigo

It might not make sense to take a train in order to catch a tram, but it does if you’re heading to Bendigo. After a two-hour ride from Melbourne, you can transfer to a vintage tram run by Bendigo Tramways (from $18 adult), which runs between places of interest including the Central Deborah Gold Mine, the Tramways Depot, Lake Weeroona and the Bendigo Joss House Temple. Once back in the city centre, view the People’s Gallery, an installation displayed across the front of the famed Bendigo Art Gallery (currently closed for redevelopment). As it’s a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Bendigo is heaving with great places to dine, including Ms Batterhams, a stylish restaurant and bar near the gallery. See bendigotramways.com; mackenziequarters.com

Cycling from Geelong

Victoria’s second city is an easy hour by train from Melbourne. You could hang around the pleasant waterfront to enjoy the views and a relaxing lunch at Tempo Kitchen. However, take along your bikes and add a ride on the Bellarine Rail Trail, which follows the former railway to Queenscliff, where a good place to eat is Tarra, an accomplished restaurant with a view at the local port. Note it’s possible to transfer your bikes onto a heritage train of the Bellarine Railway to return from Queenscliff, though this must be arranged in advance. See tempogeelong.com.au; tarra.com.au; bellarinerailway.com.au

Retro fun in Nhill

It might surprise you to discover the Overland, the Melbourne-Adelaide train, adopts V/Line pricing within Victoria and is thus free in April as far as the South Australian border. This presents a good opportunity to ride for six hours on a Friday to the town of Nhill, returning on Sunday (the train only runs twice-weekly, so you have to plan ahead). The star exhibit of this Wimmera town is the Australian Pinball Museum, adjacent to the Oasis Motel, which contains a large collection of pinball machines dating back to 1932 – and they’re available to play. This seems the perfect opportunity to reignite a passion of one’s lost youth, and to introduce kids to the fun as well. See pinballmuseum.com.au; oasismotel.com.au

Street art in Benalla

Benalla, north of Melbourne, seems a straightforward regional city, supporting the agricultural industry which surrounds it. But since 2015 this settlement, two hours 15 minutes from Melbourne by train, has become an open-air art gallery via the annual Benalla Street Art Festival. Each April a number of experienced street artists, including international creators, are commissioned to paint vivid murals on the walls of local buildings, as visitors take in their progress. Even if you can’t make it to the festival (held this year from 17-19 April), you can visit anytime to see more than 80 murals from previous years. See benallastreetartfestival.com.au

Bookish pleasures in Clunes

On both Saturday and Sunday an 8.35am departure from Melbourne’s Southern Cross station reaches Clunes, north of Ballarat, at 10.32am. The annual Booktown Festival hosted by this self-styled ‘book town’ is over for 2026, but each weekend through the year a number of bookshops are open. Browse Encore for second-hand books, particularly crime fiction; and Lollipop Tree for old to new books and vinyl records. For maximum literary geek-out, arrange a visit in advance to the Huc & Gabet Bookatorium (hucandgabetbooks.com.au) with its rare works. See clunesbooktown.org.au

Strolling through Gippsland

The region to Melbourne’s east is well known for its farms and power stations, but it also has beautiful scenery. Make an early start by catching a train for one hour 20 minutes to tiny Garfield for an excellent breakfast at Luna’s, a cafe within a former mechanic’s workshop. Afterwards, pick up snacks at the adjacent Cannibal Creek Bakehouse before taking the train on 15 minutes to Drouin. Here you’ll find the Two Towns Trail, which winds eight kilometres to Warragul. This dedicated walking and cycle path is dotted with sculptures and other artworks while giving views of the Baw Baw Ranges, Strzelecki Ranges, and Mount Worth. See cannibalcreekbakehouse.com.au; visitgippsland.com.au

By steam from Castlemaine to Maldon

It’s not often you find a steam train at a mainline station, but that’s the deal at weekends in Castlemaine. Having caught a 90-minute train service there from Melbourne, you can board a train run by heritage operator Victorian Goldfields Railway. From Fridays to Sundays its Goldfields Explorer service hauls restored period carriages to Maldon, a time capsule of 19th century architecture (from $52 adult return). The earliest train departing 10.45am on Saturday and Sunday arrives back in Castlemaine at 1.30pm, just in time for a late lunch at Bar Midland opposite the station; though you’ll want to book ahead. See vgr.com.au; barmidland.com

History or nature in Ballarat

Before your 90-minute train ride from Melbourne to Ballarat, toss a coin: heads for history, tails for nature. The local number 21 bus will take you from Ballarat station to Sovereign Hill, the open-air museum recreating the gold rush era of the 1850s. Alternatively, jump aboard a number 15 bus to the Eureka Centre, which interprets the tumultuous Eureka Stockade rebellion of 1854. If nature came up, the number 20 bus will drop you at the Ballarat Wildlife Centre, a delightful bushland zoo containing kangaroos, koalas, wombats, emus, penguins, and the fearsome tiger duo of Kai and Akasha. See sovereignhill.com.au; eurekacentreballarat.com.au; wildlifepark.com.au

Food and wine in Milawa

A 12.04 Albury line train runs from Melbourne to Wangaratta, from where a V/Line bus reaches the attractive village of Milawa in the King Valley at 4.06pm. This is the heart of the Milawa Gourmet Region, a surprisingly walkable (or cyclable) zone of good food and drink. Around the main crossroad of Milawa are the outlets of mustard and honey makers, along with a number of restaurants. Nearby is the acclaimed Milawa Cheese Company, and award-winning winery Brown Brothers. Comfortable accommodation is available at Lancemore Milawa, ensuring you’re never far from a good drop or bite to eat. See milawagourmet.com.au; lancemore.com.au

Art in the sunshine in Mildura

The capital of the Sunraysia region hasn’t had a regularly scheduled train service for over 30 years. However, if you’re up for a long travel day you can get there mostly by rail. A 7.38am train from Melbourne Southern Cross (7.40am at weekends) takes you to Swan Hill in about five hours, from where a coach reaches Mildura at 3.42pm. Stay walking distance from the bus terminal at the marvellously retro Mildura Grand, then check out local sights including the excellent Mildura Arts Centre and its absorbing sculpture park. Another memorable art experience is the Trail of Lights, a set of light installations on Lock Island which invite contemplation and reflection. See mildura.com; milduragrand.com.au

Note that track work in April will lead to buses being substituted for trains on some days. See vline.com.au