Commonwealth Games baton reaches final leg

Patrick Coghlan holds the Melbourne 2006 Queen's Baton in Victor Harbour, South Australia. prpix.com.au / Getty Images

The Commnwealth Games baton is reaching the end of its epic 180,000km trek from Buckingham Palace, London to the tournament's opening ceremony.

Some 3,500 relay runners will now carry the baton across Australia in the final 50 days of its journey.

The Games are in Melbourne from 15-26 March.