Travel Further For Free: These Destinations Are Some of the Best to Explore by Riding the V/Line This April
Now that public transport is free in Victoria throughout April, there's never been a better time to slow-travel your way across the state.
Look, it might not be a Japanese Shinkansen, but our tried-and-true V/Line service offers outstanding (and affordable) experiences that shouldn't be overlooked at the best of times. After all, regional trips are capped at $10 these days. But now that the Victorian government is working to address the fuel crisis by making public transport free throughout April, there might never be a better time to hop on board.
Spanning about 3500 kilometres of regional rail track — and over 1500 V/Line-branded coach services — reaching just about every corner of the state is easier than you might expect. Meandering through farmland and forest, and the occasional gorge, whichever line you decide to explore, you'll soon find yourself in a quiet country town chock-a-block with charming bakeries, regional art galleries, historic gardens and, of course, a pub or two.
Summer might be over, but one of the most popular (and scenic) adventures sees day-trippers commute the Great Ocean Road. Operating on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, catch the train to Geelong, then change to the coach to take a picturesque drive along the coastline, just with a professional at the wheel. Making stops at all the main tourist destinations, like the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and Bay of Islands, this no-cost journey will be tough to beat.
Yet there's no shortage of slow-travel experiences to explore as you head inland. Perhaps it's time for an overdue visit to Castlemaine, aka North Northcote, about 90 minutes on the V/Line from Southern Cross. If you haven't visited in recent years, you'll encounter a thriving food and dining scene, with spots like Love Shack Brewing Co, The 1860 Romsey and Gornelly's all worthy visits. Meanwhile, the Castlemaine Vintage Bazaar is a local icon for good reason.
Also on the Bendigo line, Macedon is another choice destination on the V/Line. Less than an hour's ride away, you'll quickly find yourself immersed in nature. For those seeking a heart-pounding adventure, this might be the perfect opportunity to summit Mount Macedon — it's about two hours to the top and back. Then, there's still plenty of time to catch your breath in the Forest Glade Gardens, a historic private garden that might just be Australia's most beautiful.
And if you've got a little more time up your sleeve, heading west to the Grampians is also a stellar option. Departing Southern Cross, you can ride the train all the way to Ararat, then catch the coach onwards to Halls Gap. Both in town and throughout the surrounding community, you'll encounter top-notch wineries specialising in cool-climate drops, Victoria's largest privately owned regional zoo and the Wama Foundation's National Centre for Environmental Art.
For more information, head to the V/Line website.
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