It was first opened from a junction at Roseworthy on the Morgan railway line through Hamley Bridge, Riverton, initially to Tarlee, then extended in stages to Peterborough.

[3] The first stage of the broad gauge Burra line from a junction at Roseworthy to Forresters (now Tarlee) opened on 3 July 1869.

[4] It extended to Manoora on 21 February 1870, Burra on 29 August 1870,[5] Hallett on 10 March 1878 and Terowie on 14 December 1880.

The last passenger train to operate the full line to Peterborough was a Steamrail Victoria tour using Victorian locomotive R761.

[10] In the same month, the last passenger train operated on the line, a Friends of Belair Railway Station charter to Riverton using 3000 class railcars [citation needed].