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.
A rightful mess and overeaction in some cases, the Albury NE lines yes do what it take to keep people safe….
The Western line yes do what it take, but the other line no nope not warrented…thanks to the scaremongering media and those journlinist causing people to panic….
BOM long term fortcast data doesn’t account for weather changes speeding up or slowing down!!!
With CFA advise Monitor and reassess…the situation on case to case basis!