HOW TO GET TO

VICTORIA'S HIGH COUNTRY

Victoria's High Country is an easy 2.5 hour drive from Melbourne on the Hume Highway. You can also jump on a plane, train or bus and be taken to the doorstep of the High Country. And if your bike is part of the family and travels with you...here's how to get it here in one piece.

BY TRAIN

FROM MELBOURNE

V-Line operates regional trains in Victoria. Departing from Melbourne's Southern Cross Station, Wangaratta Station is approximately 3 hours from Melbourne and the gateway to Victoria's High Country. The Murray to Mountains Rail Trail starts in Wangaratta where you'll find high quality bike shops, accommodation options and restaurants.

Bikes on V/Line trains

Folding bikes can be carried free on V/Line trains. For safety reasons, they cannot be stored in overhead luggage racks or parcel racks and must not obstruct walkways.

Although conventional bikes can be carried free on V/Line trains, their carriage depends on space availability.

V/Line has different trains and VLocity and Sprinter trains in particular have limited space for bikes. Therefore V/Line conductors determine whether there is sufficient room for bikes to be taken on V/Line trains.

If you are travelling on a long-distance train to or from Albury your bike must be checked at a staffed station at least 30 minutes before your service departs.

For more information about travelling with your bike on V/Line trains, call 1800 800 007.

BY TRAIN

FROM SYDNEY

Southbound, the XPT express train runs between Melbourne and Sydney. Albury Station is 7.5 hours and Wangaratta 8.5 hours from Sydney's Central Station.

Bikes on XPT Trains

Space is available for carrying bicycles and folding bicycles.

A fee and a weight limit of 20 kilograms applies. There is no charge for folding bicycles in a protective cover, no larger than 79cm long, 59cm high and 36cm wide. A place for your bicycle must be reserved when purchasing your ticket. You are unable to reserve a place online.

If you are travelling with a bicycle, you must arrive at least one hour before the scheduled departure time in order to disassemble and pack your bike into bicycle box. You can ask at your station about obtaining a bicycle box or source one from a bicycle retailer.

BY BUS

The following V/Line bus routes allow free bike transport but only if space is available. Make sure you get to the bus early as it is the driver's decision as to whether the bike will fit in the underneath storage. Packing your bike into a box or bag would make it easier to transport.

Wangaratta - Bright
Wangaratta - Beechworth
Wangaratta - Corowa/Rutherglen

BY PLANE

Albury Airport is the closest airport to Victoria's High Country and a 45 minute drive south to the towns of Beechworth and Rutherglen. Serviced by QantasLink, Virgin Blue and Regional Express, car hire options are available at the airport.

Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) is the closest international airport to Victoria's High Country. Car hire is available and Wangaratta is an easy 2.5 hour drive via the Hume Freeway. Trains depart to Victoria's High Country from Southern Cross Station.

Check with your carrier about their regulations on travelling with your bike. Remember to leave yourself plenty of time at check-in.

Visit the Melbourne Airport website for information on how to get to or from the airport.