 |
| Photo Credit - 707 Operations |
A petition tabled in the Victorian Parliament on 12 May 2026 has called for the return of passenger rail services to Mildura and the Mallee. The petition, sponsored by Ellen Sandell, attracted 2,643 signatures and asks the Legislative Assembly to commit to a passenger train shuttle between Mildura and Maryborough, using the existing tracks, where passengers could then connect with the current Maryborough to Melbourne service.
For locals, this is about much more than nostalgia for the old Vinelander. It is about fairness, access and giving northwest Victoria a transport option that most other major regional centres already have.
At the moment, getting to Melbourne without a car is not always simple. Flights can be expensive, and the current coach-and-train combination is a long haul. For people who do not drive, cannot drive, cannot afford flights, or simply need a reliable public transport option, Mildura’s isolation is very real. That includes older residents, young people, people with disability, patients needing medical appointments in Melbourne, students, workers and families trying to stay connected.
It is worth remembering that Mildura is often described in Parliament as the only large regional city in Victoria without a passenger rail service. In November 2025, Northern Victoria MP Georgie Purcell raised the issue in Parliament, saying locals and visitors were being left with costly airfares or a combined train and coach service, adding to Mildura’s isolation from the rest of the state.
There is also a strong tourism argument.
Mildura and the wider Sunraysia region have plenty to offer - the Murray River, paddle boats, dining, wineries, national parks, day trips, food, history and a very different feel to the rest of Victoria. But for many visitors, the six-hour drive from Melbourne is a barrier. A passenger rail link would give people another way to get here, especially those who do not want to drive long distances or hire a car.
It would not just help visitors get to Mildura. It would also help towns along the line. A rail service through the Mallee corridor could bring more people into smaller communities, support local cafes, accommodation providers, pubs, shops and attractions, and give the whole region a bit more connection to the rest of the state.
Then there is the employment side of it.
Better transport links make it easier for workers to move around, attend training, access jobs and stay connected with opportunities beyond the region. It could also help Mildura attract workers, especially in industries that already struggle to fill roles. Health, hospitality, agriculture, tourism, trades and services all benefit when a region is easier to reach.
No one is pretending this would solve every transport problem overnight. There would be timetables, connections, track requirements, funding and practical details to work through. But the petition is a reminder that this issue has not gone away - and for many people in Mildura and the Mallee, it never did.
Passenger rail is not just about a train. It is about giving locals a fair go, giving visitors another reason to come, and giving the northwest a better connection to the rest of Victoria.
After 32 years without a public passenger train to Melbourne, Mildura is still asking the same question:
When do we get back on track?