Victoria’s emergency services triggered wide-ranging travel disruptions on 8 January 2026 after declaring catastrophic fire conditions across large parts of the state. Caravan parks along the Great Ocean Road – including Kennett River, Wye River and Skenes Creek – were evacuated, while national parks such as the Great Otway and tourist magnets like the Twelve Apostles closed to visitors.
The travel fallout extended to rail: regional operator V/Line suspended services on nine lines, including Warrnambool, Albury, Bendigo and Shepparton, citing safety rules under the Australian Fire Danger Rating System. No replacement coaches were provided, forcing commuters and holiday-makers to scramble for private transport. Only the Geelong and Ballarat corridors remained open, operating on heat-adjusted timetables with speed restrictions.
![Catastrophic bushfire risk forces mass regional evacuations and cancels V/Line rail services across Victoria]()
Total fire bans were simultaneously declared across Victoria and neighbouring Tasmania, with authorities urging travellers to avoid forested areas and monitor alerts via VicEmergency and TasAlert. Airlines have so far maintained normal operations, but travel insurers report a spike in claims inquiries as tourists reconsider itineraries in fire-prone zones.
Should travellers need to revise plans or secure travel documentation amid such uncertainty, VisaHQ offers a convenient online platform for obtaining Australian visas and receiving real-time updates on entry requirements. Their streamlined service, available at https://www.visahq.com/australia/, can help ensure compliance and reduce last-minute stress when conditions on the ground change quickly.
For mobility and relocation managers, the episode underscores the importance of dynamic travel-risk assessments during Australia’s increasingly volatile summer. Companies with regional workforces should verify that emergency-contact data are current and confirm shelter-in-place plans for assignees stationed outside metropolitan areas. The Department of Transport has not provided a timeline for restoring suspended rail lines, warning that services will resume only when conditions permit safe operations.
The travel fallout extended to rail: regional operator V/Line suspended services on nine lines, including Warrnambool, Albury, Bendigo and Shepparton, citing safety rules under the Australian Fire Danger Rating System. No replacement coaches were provided, forcing commuters and holiday-makers to scramble for private transport. Only the Geelong and Ballarat corridors remained open, operating on heat-adjusted timetables with speed restrictions.
Total fire bans were simultaneously declared across Victoria and neighbouring Tasmania, with authorities urging travellers to avoid forested areas and monitor alerts via VicEmergency and TasAlert. Airlines have so far maintained normal operations, but travel insurers report a spike in claims inquiries as tourists reconsider itineraries in fire-prone zones.
Should travellers need to revise plans or secure travel documentation amid such uncertainty, VisaHQ offers a convenient online platform for obtaining Australian visas and receiving real-time updates on entry requirements. Their streamlined service, available at https://www.visahq.com/australia/, can help ensure compliance and reduce last-minute stress when conditions on the ground change quickly.
For mobility and relocation managers, the episode underscores the importance of dynamic travel-risk assessments during Australia’s increasingly volatile summer. Companies with regional workforces should verify that emergency-contact data are current and confirm shelter-in-place plans for assignees stationed outside metropolitan areas. The Department of Transport has not provided a timeline for restoring suspended rail lines, warning that services will resume only when conditions permit safe operations.
