Australia’s LONGEST raiL TraiL CrEaTE your OWN STOriES BIKE HIRE CONTENTS TRANSFERS The The TOWNS raiL TraiL TriP and PACKAGES EXPEriENCE PLaNNEr ViLLaGES RETAIL 4 16 28 The experience 6 Getting there 18 Tallarook and surrounds 36 The tour map 8 Trail gradient 19 Stay s Eat sDo 39 Trail features 10 Trail distances 20 Yea and surrounds 42 History at a glance 12 The essentials 21 Stay s Eat sDo 46 Walk, ride or cycle 22 Alexandra and surrounds 48 Stay s Eat sDo 26 Stay s Eat sDo 52 Connect with the trail 27 Town maps 30 Mansfield and surrounds 54 Stay s Eat sDo 57 Trail map 32 Ride the 22km from Mansfield to Bonnie Doon. $55 per person, includes bike hire and transfer. A shared use trail 62 All trail users 63 Stay safe 64 t 03 5775 2724 e [email protected] a 58 High St, Mansfield VIC The raiL TraiL EXPEriENCE This easily accessible, varied and unique rail trail offers close proximity to heritage classified rivers, majestic valleys, lakes and mountains. The trail is Australia’s longest continuous rail trail, with Victoria’s longest rail trail tunnel at Cheviot. The trail spans 134 kilometres from Tallarook, through Yea to Mansfield, with a spur line linking Cathkin and Alexandra. 5 4 • www.greatvictorianrailtrail.com.au | 1800 rTraiL raiL TraiL EXPEriENCE • 5 You can take a ride through the historic 201 metre long Cheviot Tunnel and explore the old Alexandra Station with its Timber The Tramway and Museum. raiL TraiL FaCTS The rail trail meanders through farmland, EXPEriENCE crossing over Lake Eildon at the Brankeet Length: 134 km Grade: Mostly flat Arm, on its way to the Victorian High Country, Mt Buller and neighbouring Track: Chert or Start: Where you like granitic sand Mt Stirling. You could choose to begin or Finish: Where you like end your journey at the Information Centre Located less than one hour from in Mansfield. Melbourne, the trail travels through With plenty of Australian wildlife out and beautiful countryside following the about it’s your chance to get up close to echidnas, wallabies, kangaroos and native heritage classified Goulburn River birds in their natural surroundings. at Tallarook and passes through the Towns and villages along the way Trawool Valley, classified by the offer unique experiences and places to National Trust for its scenic beauty. explore, including historic landmarks and buildings, art galleries, museums, food and wine, shopping and markets. Whether you’re seeking adventure or looking to get back to nature, the Great N Victorian Rail Trail is for you. 6 • www.greatvictorianrailtrail.com.au | 1800 rTraiL raiL TraiL EXPEriENCE • 7 The N TOUr MaP Suitable for cyclists, walkers and horse riders, the trail traverses rolling pastures, and travels along the majestic gum-lined Goulburn River, providing stunning views of the Victorian countryside and magnificent High Country. Gentle gradients along much of the trail make it suitable for most fitness levels. You can tackle the entire trail from either direction, or pick a short section starting at one of the many towns or car parks. 8 • www.greatvictorianrailtrail.com.au | 1800 rTraiL raiL TraiL EXPEriENCE • 9 There are so many reasons to explore TraiL FEaTUrES the Great Victorian Rail Trail. Heritage classified MaGNiFiCENT SharEd ChEViOT 39 NEW aUSTraLia’S TUNNEL bridGES GOULbUrN hiGh LONGEST PaThWay built in 1889, the longest and many original riVEr COUNTry continuous rail trail for cyclists, walkers surrounding Mansfield and horse riders rail trail tunnel in Victoria railway bridges repaired stretching 201 metres in length or replaced ThE EXCELLENT TOWNS aNd diVErSE MaGNiFiCENT 17 rEST TraWOOL aCCESSibiLiTy ViLLaGES LaNdSCaPES SCENEry STOPS VaLLEy via road and rail along along the way; historic and plenty of offering an amazing array with amenities and classified by the the length of the trail, choose landmarks and buildings; Australian wildlife of natural features such as car parks along National Trust for its a section of trail or complete stories and myths; art rivers, lakes, ranges and the trail scenic beauty the full 134 kilometres galleries; museums; food mountains and wine; shopping; markets and accommodation 10 • www.greatvictorianrailtrail.com.au | 1800 rTraiL raiL TraiL EXPEriENCE • 11 hiSTOry aT a GLaNCE 1873: Melbourne to Albury Line 1887: 1890: reaches Seymour (Tallarook) 17.2 kilometres Yea to Molesworth Completed to Cathkin. Yarck, started, Cheviot and Balham Kanumbra, Merton opened. intermediate stations. Cheviot Branch Line to Alexandra Road Tunnel construction took 2 years opened (16th Sep) 1891: 1863: 1889: Merton to Maindample opened (7th May). First bridge across 1883 : Maindample to Mansfield opened (6th Oct) Yea to Molesworth opened Goulburn River Completed (12th Nov); contract for Tallarook to Yea 1882: Cathkin to Mansfield Line surveyed £122,325 Tallarook to Yea 12 • www.greatvictorianrailtrail.com.au | 1800 rTraiL raiL TraiL EXPEriENCE • 13 1978: Last loco 131 Cathkin 2004-2006: to Alexandra (2nd Aug); Project work commenced last loco Y158 leaves on the Goulburn River 1978: Mansfield (6th Nov) High Country Rail Trail Last goods train (a working title) 1909: to Alexandra Alexandra Branch (1st Feb) & 1978: Line opened from to Mansfield Tallarook to Mansfield 2012: Alexandra Road to (3rd Feb) Line and Alexandra Line Official Opening of the Alexandra Township close formally (8th Nov) Great Victorian Rail Trail (Jun) 1977: Tallarook to Mansfield (via Yea) passenger rail motor service terminated (28th May) 1997: 2011: Authorised surrender Final sections of the trail of railway land completed on time and on from Tallarook to budget, managed by a project Mansfield committee from Mansfield, Murrindindi and Mitchell Shire Councils and community 14 • www.greatvictorianrailtrail.com.au | 1800 rTraiL raiL TraiL EXPEriENCE • 15 The TriP PLaNNEr Start planning your trip today and join all those who have already enjoyed this new trail. Now is the perfect time for you to explore and create your own stories, discovering the many towns, villages and attractions along the way. 17 16 • www.greatvictorianrailtrail.com.au | 1800 rTraiL raiL TraiL EXPEriENCE • 17 TraiL GradiENT Tallarook to Mansfield TRAWOOL HOMEWOOD MOLESWORTH WOODFIELD KANUMBRA MAINDAMPLE TALLAROOK GRANITE CHEVIOT CATHKIN MERTON MANSFIELD BONNIE KERRISDALE YEA YARCK DOON 448m Yea Township Driving to Mansfield, Mount Buller in the distance 348m GETTiNG ThErE stops at Tallarook Station. Mansfield is approximately 248m 192 kilometres from Melbourne 148m The trail can be accessed from By air at the eastern end of the trail. 10km 20km 30km 40km 50km 60km 70km 80km 90km 100km 110km 120km many points. Several towns provide Melbourne Airport is an hour’s It is a popular starting point for easy access with car parks, picnic drive from the Tallarook trail head. both single and multi-day trips. facilities and toilets available. To the north, Albury Airport is Cathkin to Alexandra Return transport, bike hire and 2.5 hours drive from Mansfield. By car tours are available through private KORIELLA ALEXANDRA The trail runs east from Tallarook, Alexandra, at the junction operators for one-way or return trips. CATHKIN through the township of Yea to of the Goulburn Valley and All Terrain Cycles Mansfield. Tallarook is only Maroondah Highways is 282m (03) 5775 2724 100 kilometres from Melbourne, 138 kilometres from Melbourne. www.allterraincycles.com.au 182m just off the Hume Freeway. The Alexandra spur line is Rail Trail Bike Tours 13 kilometres long and joins 2km 4km 6km 8km 10km 12km 14km By train 0417 594 998 the main trail at Cathkin. The V-Line Seymour Line train www.railtrailbiketours.com.au 18 • www.greatvictorianrailtrail.com.au | 1800 rTraiL TriP PLaNNEr • 19 TraiL diSTaNCES Find us on Strava. ThE ESSENTiaLS Search Great Victorian There are 12 toilets on the trail and several shelters with tables Rail Trail to locate key TaLLarOOK and seats. Public toilets are also available in the local towns. segments and start riding! Please carry food and TraWOOL dEad LOCO 11 water while on the trail. The Eglinton Cutting shelter has the most magnificent view 14 3 GraNiTE of the Cathedral Range. Stop beside the Goulburn River He’s a statue now in some playground, 19.5 8.5 5.5 KErriSdaLE 6 kilometres from Tallarook, or catch your breath approaching For all the kids to see, Mansfield and take in the views of the High Country. The 29.5 18.5 15.5 10 hOMEWOOd A Goliath of power and beauty, approach to Mansfield with the spectacular mountains ahead yEa 38.5 27.5 24.5 19 9 is a perfect place to stop for refreshments. Whose wheels were once so free. ChEViOT They have painted him up to catch the eye 43.5 32.5 29.5 24 14 5 BBQs are available at Tallarook, Yea, Alexandra, Bonnie Doon 47 36 33 27.5 17.5 8.5 3.5 ChEViOT TUNNEL and Mansfield. With a green and gold that gleam; But there’s no sadder sight to a driver 55 44 41 35.5 25.5 16.5 11.5 8 MOLESWOrTh See maps for facility locations. 59.5 48.5 45.5 40 30 21 16 12.5 4.5 CaThKiN Than an engine that’s got no steam 68.5 57.5 54.5 49 39 30 25 21.5 13.5 9 KOriELLa Poem by James Dunn, 72.5 61.5 58.5 53 43 34 29 25.5 17.5 13 4 aLEXaNdra Station master at Cathkin 65.5 54.5 51.5 46 36 27 22 18.5 10.5 6 15 19 yarCK 73.5 62.5 59.5 54 44 35 30 26.5 18.5 14 23 27 8 KaNUMbra 85 74 71 65.5 55.5 46.5 41.5 38 30 25.5 34.5 38.5 19.5 11.5 MErTON 94 83 80 74.5 64.5 55.5 50.5 47 39 34.5 43.5 47.5 28.5 20.5 9 WOOdFiELd 99 88 85 79.5 69.5 60.5 55.5 52 44 39.5 48.5 52.5 33.5 25.5 14 5 bONNiE dOON 107 96 93 87.5 77.5 68.5 63.5 60 52 47.5 56.5 60.5 41.5 33.5 22 13 8 MaiNdaMPLE 121 110 107 101.5 91.5 82.5 77.5 74 66 61.5 70.5 74.5 55.5 47.5 36 27 22 14 MaNSFiELd 20 • www.greatvictorianrailtrail.com.au | 1800 rTraiL TriP PLaNNEr • 21 MUST dO s The 201 metre long Cheviot Tunnel s Alexandra Timber Tramway and Museum and Yea Railway Park Ride the trail Yea Station Precinct Lunch stop Family walk s Yea Wetlands and Mullum WaLK, ridE The trail is suitable for riders of Trail surface Mountain, hybrid or touring bikes Refer to the central Wetlands in Mansfield all fitness levels and is the perfect are best suited for the trail surface.