The Inland Rail is a transformative infrastructure project designed to connect Melbourne and Brisbane through a fast, efficient freight rail line traversing regional Australia. Spanning over 1,600 kilometres, it links Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland, creating a vital backbone for freight movement while promoting economic growth in regional communities. The project, delivered by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC), features a combination of new track construction and significant upgrades to existing rail infrastructure. Once complete, it will support double-stacked freight trains, reducing road congestion and increasing freight capacity across the eastern states.
The route starts in Melbourne at Beveridge, progressing north through key Victorian towns such as Seymour, Benalla, and Wangaratta, before crossing into New South Wales at Albury-Wodonga. It continues through major regional centres including Parkes, Narromine, and Narrabri, before reaching Moree near the Queensland border. In Queensland, it traverses towns such as Yelarbon, Toowoomba, and Calvert, concluding at Kagaru near Brisbane. This alignment links critical agricultural, industrial, and residential areas to major ports and markets.
