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| Photo Credit -Mildura Railway History |
If you’ve been hearing more chatter about passenger trains lately, you’re not imagining it. The push to reconnect Mildura to Melbourne by rail is gathering steam again — this time with a clear “starter” idea that’s practical, track-ready, and easy to understand: a weekly Mildura–Maryborough shuttle that links into the existing Maryborough–Melbourne passenger service.
The big signal: a live Victorian Parliament petition
A Victorian Parliament e-petition is currently calling on the Legislative Assembly to back that weekly Mildura–Maryborough shuttle, using existing tracks and connecting to Melbourne via Maryborough. At the time of writing it’s sitting at 2,418 signatures, and it’s open until 10 May 2026.(sign petition here Parliament of Victoria)
Politicians are back talking about it — publicly
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| Photo Credit - jadebenham.com.au |
Locally, Mildura MP Jade Benham has renewed her call in Parliament, saying she’s been meeting with rail stakeholders to look at “practical pathways” to restore passenger services.
There’s an actual “how it could work” plan on the table
One of the reasons this campaign feels different is that it’s not just nostalgia — there’s a proposed operating concept being circulated (often referred to as “Rails to Recovery”) outlining a standard-gauge, locomotive-hauled passenger service based in Mildura, running to Maryborough and connecting through to Melbourne via Ballarat on existing passenger services.
Why the timing feels sharper in 2026
Transport conversations in the region have been louder since QantasLink confirmed it would close its Mildura crew base from April 2026 (part of broader base closures), raising renewed concerns about regional connectivity and resilience.
The tourism angle: why a train could be a genuine economic boost
Let’s talk Out & About Sunraysia language: access equals visitors — and visitors equal filled cabins, booked houseboats, busy cellar doors, and cafés doing a roaring trade.
A passenger rail return (even a staged, weekly shuttle connection to start) could help tourism in a few very real ways:
1) It makes Mildura a “no car required” getaway
Not everyone wants to tackle the long drive, and flights can be expensive or awkward for families and groups. A rail option creates a new lane of visitors: Melbourne weekenders, students, seniors, international visitors and anyone who’d rather read a book than watch the Calder white lines for hours. (Council has long argued rail would provide another way for tourists to visit the district.)
2) It opens the door for packaged, bookable experiences
A train service makes it easier to build simple tourism offers like:
Photo Credit - Cheryl Broadbent River Dream Boatel
“Arrive Friday, riverfront + food trail weekend”
“Houseboat + winery transfer packages”
“Festival specials” (WinterSun, events, speedway weekends, markets)
“Accessible Sunraysia” trips for travellers who don’t drive
That’s the sort of stuff that turns curiosity into conversions — and conversions into local spending.
3) It spreads the benefits beyond Mildura
A Mildura–Maryborough shuttle doesn’t just help one town. It creates a corridor of opportunity for places along the line — more reasons to stop, stay, eat, refuel, and explore. That’s regional tourism in the best sense: a chain of small wins that add up.
4) It strengthens Mildura’s “major regional centre” appeal
Mildura is one of Victoria’s biggest centres without a direct passenger rail link — and that gap matters for visitors as much as locals.
A rail connection helps the region compete for more conferences, sporting events, touring productions, and group travel — all of which feed directly into accommodation and hospitality.
Where this goes next
Right now, the momentum is real in the public and advocacy sense: petition, parliamentary attention, and a concrete proposal people can rally around.
The missing piece is still the biggest one: a firm government commitment to fund and trial it.
Want to add your voice?
If you care about connectivity — and the tourism and economic upside that comes with it — keep an eye on the petition timeline (it closes 10 May 2026) and follow the conversation as it develops. (Parliament of Victoria)
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