Melbourne to Ararat aboard the Overlander
This day trip from Melbourne starts out aboard the Overlander that leaves Southern Cross station every Monday and Friday. The train departs Melbourne at 8:05 and arrives Ararat at 11:33.
Since this train runs via Geelong, people from Geelong can also join the train at the North Shore Geelong railway station.
The timetable, Melbourne to Ararat for 2021 can be found at https://journeybeyondrail.com.au/guest-information/fares-and-timetables/the-overland-2021-fares-timetable/
The timetable for the VLine services Ararat to Melbourne. Reservations are not required aboard the 14:28 service which arrives at Southern Cross at 16:51.
https://www.vline.com.au/Timetables/Additional-pages/train-coach-timetable-list
To make a booking and pay for the return journey, go to https://www.vline.com.au/Plan-trip-buy-tickets
When booking, take care to choose either a Monday or Friday to travel and choose the 08:05, Overlander, departure from Southern Cross.
Both the forward and return journeys are off-peak. The return concession fare on the VLine, Let’s Plan Your Journey page came up as $30:80.
The Overlander arrives at Ararat at 11:33 and the next train back to Melbourne from Ararat departs at 14:28, so you’ll have plenty of time for lunch and a walk around town.
Enjoy your day visiting the Victorian countryside and don’t forget to check the timetables and look for any changes and updates before you depart.
Book all the journey with v line it is cheaper