The line was opened in stages beginning from Murtoa to Warracknabeal on 12 May 1886 and reaching Patchewollock in May 1925.

The line was opened in stages from Murtoa to Warracknabeal on the Twelfth of May, 1886, Warracknabeal to Beulah on the Fifth of January, 1893, Beulah to Hopetoun on the Sixth of March, 1894 and finally Hopetoun to Patchewollock sometime in May 1925.

[citation needed] The line was constructed in large part due to the pastoralist Edward H. Lascelles heavily lobbying for the construction of the line.

[citation needed] The line beyond Hopetoun was ripped up in December 1986 and on the first of April, 1995 the line was converted from Broad to Standard-gauge.

[1][2] Sources:[1][2][3] Murtoa Coromby Minyip Nullan Sheep Hills (formerly Tarkedia) Warracknabeal Warrackside siding Batchica siding Lah Brim Galaquil Beulah Rosebery Goyura Hopetoun Burroin siding Dattuck siding Yarto Willa Patchewollock