Australia

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Country Details

See Wikipedia

Timetable

See Australian Rail Maps

Extensive information is available at the Man in Seat 61.

Summary timetables are available in some editions of the European Rail Timetable.

Maps

See Australian Rail Maps and Maps and Plans

Infrastructure

Infrastructure Authority

The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) is a federal government owned corporation that owns, leases, maintains and controls the majority of the inter-State main line standard gauge railway lines on the mainland of Australia. Each State has its own ‘infrastructure authority{s}’ for the lines that do not fall under ARTC ownership or lease.

Gauges

One of three gauges is normally used on main line railways. Each started in different parts of country, due to historic development precedents in gauge choice in particular states and because such state systems were initially isolated from one another.

  • 1,435 mm (4 feet 8½ inches) standard gauge
  • 1,600 mm (5 feet 3 inches) broad gauge
  • 1,067 mm (3 feet 6 inches) narrow [Cape] gauge

The programme to convert both broad and narrow gauge lines to standard gauge has been abandoned. Updated May 2025.

Narrower gauges of

  • 600 mm (2 feet)
  • 760 mm (2 feet 6 inches)

were used on industrial lines and remain on some tourist lines.

Electrification

Suburban networks can have electrification at either

  • 1,500 V DC

or

  • 25 kV AC.
  • 750 V DC is used on tramways.

Tourist Lines

See Wikipedia

Metros

Sydney is the only city in Australia with a rapid transit system. This currently consists of one 52 km driverless line, connecting Tallawong and Sydenham, and is scheduled to be extended to Bankstown in 2026. Map and journey planner here. Note that the Sydney Metro brand name includes heavy rail, light rail and rapid transit (metro) services.

Trams/LRT Systems

In Adelaide, Canberra, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Newcastle and Sydney. Urban Rail has basic maps.

Adelaide trams
There are 3 tram routes. Details Map here. Note that the Adelaide Metro actually comprises bus, tram and heavy rail suburban services but no rapid transit (metro).

Canberra light rail
Map and timetable here

  • Gungahlin Place to Alinga Street

Gold Coast light rail
Timetable here and map here

  • G-Link operate from Helensvale to Broadbeach South

Melbourne trams
There are 24 tram routes. Timetables here. Maps here

Newcastle light rail

  • Newcastle Interchange through the central business district to Newcastle Beach.

Sydney light rail
Maps and Timetables

  • Inner West Light Rail – serviced by L1 Dulwich Hill Line
  • CBD and South East Light Rail – serviced by L2 Randwick Line and L3 Kingsford Line
  • Parramatta Light Rail - serviced by L4 Westmead and Carlingford Line

Recent and Future Changes

Recent Changes

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

  • The Adelaide 1 km Port Dock Railway Line branch reopened on 25 August 2024 after decommissioning in 1981. It should be noted that the Port Dock branch does not serve the station (nor even its site) that closed in 1981, but runs to a new site alongside the National Railway Museum.

NEW SOUTH WALES

  • Parramatta's 12 km light rail from Carlingford to Westmead officially opened for commuters on Friday 20 December 2024. The section between Carlingford and Rosehill Gardens follows the alignment of the former Clyde to Carlingford suburban rail branch.
  • Sydney: North West Metro line M1 Tallawong - Chatswood 36km, opened 26 May 2019

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

  • Perth: Whiteman Park heritage tramway extension 1.6km, opened 8 Dec 2024 (i.c.w. the Ellenbrook line)
  • Perth: Thornlie - Cockburn South line 17.5km opened 8 June 2025. details here

Future Changes

VICTORIA

  • Melbourne Airport Rail: from the airport at Tullamarine to run parallel to the Broadmeadows - Albion line and join the Sunbury line at Sunshine [thus also feeding into the above Metro Tunnel line]; ca.12km, projected opening 2029. Website here
  • Victoria regional lines: these are being upgraded. Details at this website

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

QUEENSLAND

  • Gold Coast: Construction of Stage 3 which is currently underway will see a 6.7km extension from Broadbeach South station to Burleigh Heads including eight new light rail stations. Construction of Stage 3 commenced in 2023, taking place across five distinct phases. Planning has begun for Stage 4, a 13km extension linking Burleigh Heads to Coolangatta via the Gold Coast Airport. website.

NEW SOUTH WALES

  • Parramatta light rail stage two construction begins in 2025. This will add another 10 kilometres of track to extend it to Sydney Olympic Park (no date had been published for completion of construction works).

VICTORIA/NEW SOUTH WALES/QUEENSLAND

  • The Inland Rail project involves upgrades or enhancement works to approximately 1,000km of existing track and construction of 600km of new track passing through regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. The sections of Inland Rail between Beveridge in Victoria and Parkes in New South Wales are prioritised for completion by 2027.Project website

Lines with Obscure or Sparse Passenger Services

See Australia - Lines with Obscure or Sparse passenger services.

See also

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