Transport
Public Transport
Only a hop, skip and a jump from Melbourne, and at the junction of four major Highways, Ballarat serves Western Victoria as a regional transportation hub.
An extensive local bus network and a fleet of taxis make Ballarat accessible without the need to drive.
Wide streets, light traffic and an ever increasing network of bicycle paths make the city a cyclist's paradise.
Regular and reliable rail services run between Ballarat and Melbourne. The express service to Melbourne operated by the fast-train service introduced in mid 2006, cuts travel time by rail to Melbourne CBD to just 64 minutes.
Ballarat's central location makes it the perfect base from which to gain easy access to most of Victoria.
The city stands at the crossroads of the Western, Midland, Glenelg and Sunraysia Highways; with Melbourne International Airport and Avalon Australia's newest domestic passinger terminal both just over one hour's drive away.
Davis Bus Lines
Davis Buslines gives regular and convenient access to almost all of Ballarat's major features.
Airport Shuttle Bus
Ballarat - Melbourne Airport Transfers. Operated by Ballarat Coachlines. Includes Air Conditioned Buses, runs 7 Times Daily (Weekdays), 4 Times Daily (Weekends) from Ballarat Railway Station.
Vline
Getting to Ballarat From Melbourne
Travelling to Ballarat by train is easy - with value-for-money fares and frequent V/Line services that run from Melbourne's Southern Cross Station and pass through Bacchus Marsh and Ballan.
Services depart Melbourne regularly for the 119-kilometre trip that takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
From country and interstate centres
Connecting coach services arrive in Ballarat from Warrnambool, Halls Gap, Daylesford, Maryborough and Mildura. V/Line interstate coach services that run between Adelaide and Melbourne and Mt Gambier and Melbourne stop here daily.
Tickets
V/Line offers travellers affordable ticket options, including inexpensive off-peak and family tickets. Pre-purchase your V/Line ticket and on the day of travel you can take public transport from your front door all the way to your destination. Your ticket includes travel on Melbourne metropolitan services and local bus services in Ballarat.
Local Transport
Local buses depart Ballarat Station regularly. Your V/Line ticket is valid for travel on these bus services. For more information on local bus services check out Viclink.
Find out more
For more information call V/Line on 136 196 or visit vline.com.au.
For train, coach and local bus timetables, fares, maps and travel information call Viclink on 136 638 or visit www.viclink.com.au
Further Information
Vline Goldrush Special
The Goldrush Special is a daily train service between Melbourne's Southern Cross Station and Ballarat Station that includes a connecting coach to Sovereign Hill.
No special V/Line ticket is required - just purchase the applicable V/Line fare for your journey.
On arrival at Sovereign Hill customers should present their V/Line ticket (valid for travel that day) for an additional 10 per cent discount on the entry price and a free Cobb and Co Coach ride.
Note: The discount only applies to entry tickets purchased on arrival at Sovereign Hill.