New bus route for Lara and Avalon Airport
On 15 March 2026, we’re introducing new bus Route 18 between Lara Station and Avalon Airport.
Route 18 will be the first public transport service to Avalon and Avalon Airport, making it easier for workers and travellers to get to and from the Greater Avalon Employment Precinct (GAEP) and airport without needing a car.
Route 11 Lara Station - Lara East will be removed. Route 18 will partially replace Route 11.
To plan your journey:
- Download the PTV App
- Use the journey planner
- Check the Route 18 timetable.
- or call 1800 800 007.
New Route 18 Lara - Avalon Airport
- Route 18 will run 21 trips on weekdays and 20 trips on weekends.
- Services will run from early morning until around midnight.
- Route 18 will connect with trains at Lara Station, mainly for services to and from Geelong, making it easier for people working at GAEP to travel by public transport.
- Route 18 will connect with most GAEP shift times. Buses will usually arrive and depart about 20 minutes before and after shifts.
- Route 18 will connect with most flights at Avalon Airport. Buses will arrive 75 - 120 minutes before departing flights and 30 minutes after flights arrive.
- There will be stops at GAEP on Canberra Drive and at Avalon Airport near the terminal entrance making it easy to access these places.
Download the Route 18 timetable here
Removal of Route 11 Lara Station - Lara East
- On 15 March 2026, Route 11 will be removed.
- Route 18 will operate along part of Route 11.
- Some Route 11 bus stops will become Route 18 stops, including the stops outside Ingenia Lifestyle Lakeside Lara.
- Eight Route 11 bus stops will no longer be serviced. Passengers can use nearby Route 18 bus stops instead.
- The two bus stops on Rennie Street near Archimedes Avenue will move from just south of the intersection to just north and will have new stop numbers.
| Stops no longer serviced | Alternative stops on Route 18 |
|---|---|
| Nasmyth Street/Rennie Street (stop IDs 30005 and 30006) | Archimedes Avenue/Rennie Street (stop IDs 29309 and 29310) |
| Swan Street/Rennie Street (stop IDs 30004 and 30007) | Archimedes Avenue/Rennie Street (stop IDs 29309 and 29310) |
| Cromwell Drive/Rennie Street (stops IDs 30008 and 30013) | Archimedes Avenue/Rennie Street (stop IDs 29309 and 29310) |
| The Esperence/McClelland Avenue (stop ID 51781) | McClelland Avenue/Rennie Street (stop IDs 30010 and 30012) |
| Gum Drive/McClelland Avenue (stop ID 51782) | McClelland Avenue/Rennie Street (stop IDs 30010 and 30012) |
Passengers should check the Route 18 map and timetable and plan ahead before travelling.