Victorians will soon get a once in a lifetime opportunity to explore the West Gate Tunnel before it opens to traffic, as the project prepares to mark a major milestone in connecting Melbourne’s west to the city.
Discovery Day, on Sunday 16 November, will give locals the chance to see parts of the tunnel up close, in an 8km run or 2.5km walk, before it opens to vehicles. A free community event will also run at Yarraville Gardens, featuring food trucks, live entertainment, family activities and the West Gate Tunnel driver simulator.
Transurban Group Executive of Delivery and Risk, Nicole Stoddart, said the event is a once in a generation opportunity to see the tunnel from the inside.
“This is a unique chance to get inside West Gate Tunnel before we open it to traffic later this year. We know people are very curious, so Discovery Day is your opportunity to come for an early look and see this amazing, state-of-the-art road tunnel up close.”
Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority Roads CEO Duncan Elliot said people should register early to get involved
“We can’t wait to share this amazing project with both the community and motorists alike when it opens later this year.”
Registrations open 24 October at westgatetunnelproject.vic.gov.au/discoveryday, with every registration for the run directly supporting Community Bike Hub and West Welcome Wagon, two local charities based in Melbourne’s west.
New connections taking shape across the West
Meantime – across Melbourne’s west, the project’s finishing touches are now visible on key road upgrades to new green spaces and cycling paths to key road upgrades creating new connections for moving around the city.
The Wurundjeri Way extension, which opened in late October, now provides a city bypass connecting the north, city and western suburbs. The widened road features three lanes in each direction, plus a new bridge to Dynon Road.
Inside the tunnels, crews have finished laying the final road surface and are continuing the extensive testing and commissioning of safety systems before opening.
The West Gate Tunnel Project is about more than new roads, it’s also creating safer, greener, and better-connected spaces for Melbourne’s west for years to come.
Cyclists will also have more ways to move, with a new multi- coloured shared user path and bridge on Dynon Road linking to North Melbourne and the CBD now open.
Getting ready to travel
When it opens, West Gate Tunnel journeys will be tolled. Drivers can use the Explore Your Journey tool at westgatetunnel.vic.gov.au/drive to see how the new connections link into existing routes and plan their future trips.
The easiest way to travel will be with a tolling account, and more information on West Gate Tunnel toll prices and account options is available at Linkt.com.au/westgatetunnel.
To say thank you to Melbourne drivers and help everyone get used to the new network, Transurban will offer free weekend travel through the West Gate Tunnel in January 2026, aligning with the Victorian Government’s Summer Start for Metro Tunnel and free weekend public transport.
