Rail Freight

Ballarat is ideally situated along the interstate rail transport corridor between Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth providing Ballarat businesses and industry with seamless access to Victoria's freight transport network.

Each year, approximately 6.4 metric tonne of freight is carried by road and rail - through Ballarat, from Melbourne to Victoria's western region. In addition, 5.7 metric tonne of freight is carried through Ballarat, from Western Victoria to Melbourne for interstate and international export.

International Freight Ports

Ballarat's road and rail networks provide easy access to international markets through the Port of Melbourne, which is Australia's largest container and general cargo port, handling 38% of the nation's container trade. Approximately 42 container shipping lines, as well as a number of other general cargo carriers, make around 3,200 ship calls per annum to Melbourne, providing services to ports across the globe.

The Port of Melbourne handles approximately 29 metric tonne per annum. Ballarat's road and rail transport also provides easy access to the Port of Geelong and the Port of Portland in South Western Victoria.

In addition, Ballarat's transport infrastructure provides ready access to Melbourne's Tullamarine International Airport, which is the largest 24 hour, curfew free, freight and passenger airport in Australia. Major freight carriers operate dedicated freight services from Melbourne to Europe, Asia and North America.

The airport currently handles over 375,000 metric tonnes of freight per annum, with ample capacity to increase this quota. Airfreight rates are very competitive, making Melbourne a high speed, low cost base to access global markets.