Best Routes Using Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel

And the easiest routes to our most popular destinations

Getting around Melbourne’s CBD recently became a whole lot easier. Opened in December 2025, the new Metro Tunnel has introduced five underground stations that link straight into some of the city’s busiest spots — without the old line changes, crowded trams or uphill walks that many of us know all too well. It’s a smoother, more direct way to travel, and a much-needed upgrade for everyday outings.

After spending some time exploring the stations myself, I’ve put together this friendly guide to show you where each stop is, what it connects to and how it can make your trips — whether for appointments, arts events or a simple wander — far more straightforward.

Regular use will be most relevant for anyone travelling on the Sunbury, Cranbourne or Pakenham lines, while other routes will continue through the City Loop.

The Five New Metro Tunnel Stations (and what they’re good for)

1. Arden Station

Best for: North Melbourne residents, future medical precinct, local cafés and emerging arts spaces

Arden is the gateway to a fast-growing neighbourhood. Right now, it’s a calm, modern station with wide platforms and easy access. Over time, it’ll become one of Melbourne’s next big employment and healthcare districts.

2. Parkville Station

Best for: Hospital visits, medical appointments, university campuses

Parkville is, without doubt, the most practical addition for many older Victorians. It places you right on the doorstep of:

The Royal Melbourne Hospital
The Royal Women’s Hospital
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Melbourne Private
University of Melbourne faculties

No more tram transfers or long walks — it’s all a flat, short stroll from the Grattan Street exit.

3. State Library Station

Best for: RMIT, Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne Central, CBD’s northern end

Located under Swanston Street, this station shares a direct underground connection with Melbourne Central — no tapping off required. It’s an excellent entry point for shopping, market visits and catching up with friends over coffee around QV.

4. Town Hall Station

Best for: Collins Street shopping, theatres, dining, Flinders Street Station connections

Town Hall sits right in the heart of the city. If you’re heading to a show, meeting friends for a meal, or arriving for an evening concert, this stop brings you within metres of the action.

Its underground walkway to Flinders Street Station means you can switch between lines comfortably and without battling traffic or tram crowds.

5. Anzac Station

Best for: St Kilda Road, Arts Precinct, Royal Botanic Gardens, Alfred Hospital (via tram)

Anzac is Melbourne’s first tram–train interchange. When you exit the station, the tram platforms are right there — level, undercover and easy to navigate.

It’s the perfect station for days spent visiting the Shrine of Remembrance, Royal Botanic Gardens, or NGV, wandering the gardens or attending a matinee at the Arts Centre.

Suggested Routes to Melbourne’s Most Popular Destinations

Below is a simple cheat-sheet of where to hop off depending on where you’re going. These routes avoid transfers where possible and minimise walking.

1. Hospitals & Medical Appointments

Royal Melbourne Hospital, Royal Women’s, Peter Mac

Route: Take the train to Parkville Station
Exit: Grattan Street
All three hospitals are right outside — genuinely a 2–5 minute flat walk.

Melbourne Private Hospital

Route: Parkville Station
Also accessed via the Grattan Street concourse.

Alfred Hospital

Route: Take the train to Anzac Station
Transfer: Step straight onto St Kilda Road trams
The No. 72 or 16 reaches the Alfred in minutes.

2. Arts, Theatre & Concerts

Arts Centre Melbourne, NGV International, Hamer Hall

Route: Anzac Station
Take any northbound tram 1–3 stops to land right at the Arts Precinct. It’s quick and mostly sheltered.

Comedy, Princess & Her Majesty’s Theatres

Route: State Library Station
A short, flat walk via Lonsdale or Exhibition Streets.

Regent Theatre, Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne Town Hall events

Route: Town Hall Station
You’ll pop up almost next door.

3. Shopping, Markets & Lunch Outings

Queen Victoria Market

Route: State Library Station
Use the Franklin Street exit. The market is across the road.

Bourke Street Mall (Myer, David Jones, H&M)

Route: Town Hall Station
One block’s walk to the mall — all on level footpaths.

Collins Street boutiques, Block Arcade, major laneways

Route: Town Hall Station
Ideal for those leisurely laneway strolls.

4. Parks & Garden Walks

Royal Botanic Gardens

Route: Anzac Station
Cross St Kilda Road and you’re in the gardens. Couldn’t be more convenient.

Flagstaff Gardens

Route: State Library Station
Walk west via Franklin Street or take a quick tram.

Jump on board

Following the “Summer Start” trial (which ran from 30 November 2025 to 31 January 2026), the Metro Tunnel enters full, permanent operation with a new timetable, known as “The Big Switch,” started on Sunday, 1 February 2026.

Chris’ experience

After an overnight stay in Melbourne to see a show, we found ourselves with a few spare hours the next day before our train left for home in Country Victoria.

What to do?

Remembering all the promos we saw for the Metro Tunnel when it opened, we decided to explore this latest Public Transport facility. Some may say not the most exciting thing to do to fill in time in Melbourne but for us couple of Senior Country Bumpkins it was a real eye opener.

We entered the Town Hall underground station from Swanston Street by going down three, very long, flights of escalators and easily found our way. My expectation of being so deep was that it would be a tight area, but there was no chance of getting claustrophobic here, it seemed to be a huge cavernous space, very clean and modern.

The platform doors were a new experience. We entered the long train, that seemed to travel very fast and took no time to get to the new Anzac station. We alighted and after riding the escalators to the outdoors we found ourselves in the gardens just next to the Shrine of Remembrance.

A lovely day, with the winter sun warming the crisp air, autumn leaves everywhere, that encouraged a leisurely walk in the gardens and a sit on a bench before returning to the next leg of our expedition.

Getting back on the underground train we now headed North. Passing through the new stations of Town Hall and State Library, we got off at Parkville and now found ourselves at an entrance to Melbourne University.

Having not been there for over 50 years, the brief walk through the university grounds brought back pleasant memories. We could’ve spent more time enjoying the gardens and buildings but it was the moment to make our way home. We walked to nearby Royal Parade and caught a tram to Flinders Street station and eventually the train home.

A thoroughly enjoyable short adventure for a couple of Seniors in Melbourne

When the Metro Tunnel trains are running

Key changes for the post-summer schedule from 1 February 2026:

Increased Services: Over 1,000 extra weekly services will be added across the network.

Exclusive Tunnel Usage: All Cranbourne, Pakenham, and Sunbury line trains will stop using the City Loop and run exclusively through the new Metro Tunnel, serving the five new underground stations (Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall, and Anzac).

Turn-up-and-Go Frequency: Trains will run every 3-4 minutes between West Footscray and Caulfield/Dandenong during peak times.

Frankston Line Returns: Frankston line trains will no longer share the tunnel/Caulfield route and will return to running through the City Loop.

Final thoughts

If you’ve been avoiding the CBD because the trains felt too complicated, the Metro Tunnel might change your mind. The stations are bright, spacious and accessible, and the new routes link up beautifully with the places many of us visit regularly — hospitals, theatres, gardens, markets and favourite cafés.

Heading off on your own Melbourne adventures? Join our Facebook Group and share your stories, ask questions and connect with others for further inspiration.

A Useful Guide to Melbourne’s New Metro Tunnel Stations