Getting Here & Getting Back
The car-free way in and out — V/Line route 301 to Melbourne via Woodend or Ballarat, which is faster, and the last service back so a day out doesn't strand you.
Daylesford has had no train since 1978. The only way in and out without a car is V/Line route 301 — a coach from town that meets a train at Woodend or Ballarat for the rest of the way to Melbourne.
The coach is the easy part. The hard part is getting home: the last connection leaves Melbourne in the early evening, and missing it means waiting until the morning. This lays out the two ways to Melbourne, which one is faster, and the last service back — so a day out doesn't end with you stranded. For exact times and to book, always check V/Line.
Plan your way back before you set off
There is no train. The buses out leave in the late afternoon, and missing the last one means staying the night. Note your last bus before you arrive:
- Last bus back toward Melbourne — via Woodend (the faster way): around 19:02 on weekday evenings
- Last bus back toward Melbourne — via Ballarat: a Friday-only 20:39 coach is the latest service of the week