THE Vinelander will make a “return” to Sunraysia next year, 31 years after it last brought passengers to the region.
Slow Rail Journeys has announced its Vinelander Heritage Train would set out on a six-day journey in June that will include three nights in Mildura over the King’s Birthday weekend.
The announcement followed long delays caused by track closures to change the gauge, slow speed restrictions while new track formations were fully upgraded and Covid shutdowns.
Passengers will be a part of history, travelling on the first standard-gauge passenger train to Mildura.
It will also be the first time the Vinelander has made the trip to Mildura since it was controversially axed in 1993.
The train will depart Melbourne on June 6, passing the port city of Geelong before crossing the Southwestern plains to Ararat and then continuing through the scenic Pyrenees region to Maryborough.
Day two sees the train run north through Donald to Woomelang where a lunch stop will be made at the historic Woomelang Hotel before continuing to Ouyen and Mildura.
Guests will spend three nights at the Mercure Hotel in Mildura, before retracing their steps aboard the Vinelander.
Slow Rail Journeys said it had a strong commitment to sharing Victoria’s rail history with the regions and as such, there would be opportunities over the weekend for local guests to board the train for a short ride from Mildura station to either Yelta or Carwarp.
