Get Ready Melbourne: The Metro Tunnel Is Nearly Here

Melbourne’s been digging under itself for almost a decade, and later this year, the $11 billion Metro Tunnel is finally opening, with five new underground stations linking Arden through to Anzac. It’s the biggest transport shake-up since the City Loop, and it’s about to change cross-city travel for the better.

Anzac Station on St Kilda Road will flip a notorious choke point, plugging the Domain precinct straight into the CBD. Dreading the drive home after an event? A night at the Myer Music Bowl or after-dark projections at the Shrine will be just a quick train ride away. Over at Arden, the new station anchors an entire suburb imagined from scratch—which means more dining, green space, and activities from the get-go.

The biggest shift will be an update to weeknight commutes. The quicker the trip, the more likely you'll be saying yes to the midweek gig, gallery opening, or post-work dinner and drinks in Collingwood. The bonus? Heading home won’t feel like a gamble with surge pricing—so save your cash for the next round. 

Venues are already prepping—this update is about to breathe life (and foot-traffic) into precincts that have sat on the edge of the culture map. It also means there'll be less demand to find a rental right in the heart of the CBD (aka, signing up for a year of nights in and borderline bankruptcy). With stations set to connect suburbs back into the city, your postcode is no longer the problem—it's how quickly you can zip into a dress for Thursday night happy hour with the girls. 

Updates are available online, with the project set to open later this year.

Main image credit: Transport Victoria | Instagram