Features

• A high standard rail trail traversing undulating farmland.
• Will be a total of 134km in length when completed in early 2012.
• Features the only tunnel on a rail trail in Victoria and a long bridge across Lake Eildon.
• Almost all of the bridges have been made trafficable and the few low crossings are easily graded.
• There are several crossings of major rural highways
• The surface is either a bitumised granite, which is suitable for wheel chairs and prams, and compacted gravel which may not be suitable for wheel chairs and prams in sections.  Where possible a separate bridal path is provided for horses.

While the map shows the enitre trail open some sections will not be completely passable until March 2012. Refer below for more detail.

Description

Access Points

Th following are major access points

• Tallarook
• Trawool – Car park at the resort
• Homewoood
• Yea – At the railway station
• Cathkin
• Merton
• Bonnie Doon – Car park on the Melbourne side of the bridge
• Mansfield – Old station / tourist information centre on the Melbourne side
• Alexandra – Old railway station on the north side of town

Tallarook to Yea (38km)

The 19km Trawool to Homewood section in the middle of this section will not open until March 2012

• Follows the Goulburn River up a picturesque valley
• Compacted gravel surface trail

Yea is a medium sized regional town with several eating establishments.

The former Yea Station building has been restored and is now occupied by the local tourist information centre, as has the goods shed which is occupied by local artists. The station also has a great playground and picnicn facilities along with the well equiopped town.

Yea to Cathkin (21km)

The 2km Molesworth to Cathkin section will not be open until March 2012

• Features the 200m long Chevoit tunnel and the hilliest section of the trail.
• Compacted gravel surface trail

Molesworth is a small town with basic facilities.

There is nothing except interpretive signs and toilets at the former junction station of Cathkin. Go straight on for Bonnie Doon and Mansfield or veer right for Alexandra.

Cathkin to Bonnie Doon (40km)

This section will not have all bridge corssings completed until early 2012.

• This section has a climb up to the highest point on the rail trail at Merton Gap.
• Compacted gravel surface trail

Yarck and Merton are small towns with basic facilities, while Bonnie Doon has more facilities for visitors.

Bonnie Doon to Mansfield (22km)

• No real hills in this section
• Features the 385m long bridge over the Brankeet arm of Lake Eildon, a real sight when there is water under it.
• Approaching Mansfield on a clear day, Mt Buller is clearly visible, a real treat when covered in snow.
• Bitumised granite surface trail

Mansfield is a major regional and tourist centre with many facilities for visitors.

Cathkin to Alexandra (13km)

This section will not open until March 2012

• A signficant climb either way on this section with panoramic views of the valley.
• Compacted gravel surface trail

Alexandra is a major regional centre catering for visitors.

The former Alexandra station site is now home to the Alexandra Timber Tramway

Background Information

This broad gauge branch line opened to Yea in 1883 and Mansfield in 1891.  A further branch off from Cathkin reached Alexandra in 1909.  The entire line closed in 1978 along with many other branch lines across Victoria.
Apart frrom the Bonnie Doon bridge, which opened in 2000, the  first major stage of the rail trail opened in August 2010.

Links

The trail is managed by the Shires of Mitchell, Murrundndi and Mansfield.

Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail official website

Please report any issues to the Rail?Trail Project Officer at the Mansfiled shire on Ph: (03)?5775 8571