Today it is a standard gauge branch line connecting the Western SG with Bung Bong (ballast) and Dunolly (grain), running through Maryborough station.

[2] The Avoca–Ararat section of the line has been unused for a number of years and Pacific National used it to store over 100 surplus grain wagons,[3] until many of them were reactivated to carry the 2011–2012 harvest.

The second reopening of this cross-country line was primarily to allow for the carriage of mineral sands from Manangatang to a processing plant at Hamilton.

[8] The Maryborough-Ararat rail freight line was officially re-opened at Avoca early in 2018 after more than 13 years of siting idle.

This forces services on the standard gauge lines to Mildura and Murrayville to instead take the longer route via Avoca and Ararat.