How to get to Echuca from Melbourne? Actually, there is a choice of three driving routes, the train, and coach. let’s explore each one
Driving from Melbourne to Echuca
Option A – via Calder Fwy/M79
This driving route exits central Melbourne via the M2 then
- taking the M79 (Calder Freeway) to Kyneton and
- turning onto the C326 until
- Redesdale where you turn onto the C327 till
- Eppalock and onto the Kimboloton-Axedale Rd which becomes the Axedale-Goornong Road after Axedale and later
- joins the Midland Hwy through Elmore and
- to Rochester where you change to the B75 (Northern Hwy) to Echuca.
Journey Time: 2 h 35 min
Distance: 223 km
Fun stops on this route could include a side detour to Macedon and the famous Hanging Rock, check out the historic Piper Street in Kyneton and the Kyneton Mineral Springs, a small detour to Malmsbury and see the Malmsbury Viaduct or Malmsbury Botanical Gardens, take a break at Lake Eppalock, at Elmore grab a sausage roll at Oasis Cafe and take a toilet break.
Option B – via Calder Fwy/M79
This driving route exits central Melbourne via the M2 then
- continuing on the M2 past Melbourne Airport as it becomes the C743/Sunbury Rd until
- reaching the roundabout then turn onto the C325/Lancefield Rd until
- reaching Toobarac where you turn onto the B75/Northern Hwy until
- Heathcote and continue on the Northern Hwy until
- Elmore where you turn left and then right, continuing on the Northern Hwy passing through Rochester and on to Echuca
Journey Time: 2 h 38 min
Distance: 214 km
This route is very scenic in parts and fun stops along the way could be Melbourne Airport Viewpoint and watch the planes fly in for landing, the Bulla Hill Railway might be fun for kids, enjoy classic architecture, cellar doors and cafes at Romsey, on weekends call into McIvor Estate for wines, olive oil, and vinegar, a little further along the Lancefield-Tooborac Rd is Merindoc Cellar Door, you could make a stop at the famed Tooborac Pies, at Heathcote you can take a quick detour to Viewing Rock Lookout and Heathcote Powder Magazine site.
Option C – via National Highway M31 and Northern Hwy/B75
This option avoids the toll road and heads out of Melbourne central via
- getting onto the Metropolitan Ring Road and taking the exit for the
- M31/Hume Hwy and taking that to
- Kilmore where you change onto the
- B75/Northern Hwy taking that to
- Heathcote, Elmore, and Rochester and Echuca as per the previous route.
Journey Time: 2 h 43 min
Distance: 209 km
Taking The Bus to Echuca
V/Line operates regular buses to Echuca which are modern clean and comfortable. The bus takes from 2 h and 53 min with adult fares from around $28.
The bus departs from Southern Cross Station, makes a stop in Elmore, and then continues to Echuca stopping at Echuca Station (the railway station in the center of town). It will then continue to its last stop which is Moama.
Tickets and Timetables can be viewed at V/Line
Taking The Train to Echuca
The V/Line train service to Echuca offers numerous options
- direct to Echuca by train
- train to Bendigo then coach to Echuca
- train to Murchison East Station or Shepparton Station and then coach to Echuca
The direct service is a little quicker but does not run every day. The direct train can take around 3 h 20 min and the train/coach options around 3 h 30 min to near 4 h.
Tickets and Timetables can be viewed at V/Line