Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail

 Completion of trail.

Bridge works are currently in progress in the Cathkin and Bonnie Doon sections of the GRHCRT. Practical completion of the entire trail will be completed by 31 March 2012.  More sections will be open before this date, check this website for updates.

January 2012

Sections Open

Alexandra to Koriella section is open. This 7 kilometre section starts/ends at the Alexandra Timber Tramway in Station Street. Heading off from Alexandra this is one of the steepest sections on the trail but well worth the ride once you get to the top of Eglington Cutting and look across Alexandra towards the Cathedral Range State Park. Koriella Station opened in 1890 but it was another 19 years before the trains reached Alexandra in 1909.

22 December 2011

SECTIONS OPEN 23 December 2011

From Friday 23 December there will be four sectons that are open to the public of the yet to be finished Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail. First time visitors to the region should be aware that, in the main, locations are sign posted but local knowledge will be required to find where some of the locations are situated. Works are still continuing in all other sections and are closed to the public.

Enjoy exploring the Trail but pelase remember you are entering sectons where the final “”polish” is yet to take place. Think safety first and remember that all road rules apply in any situation.

Under no circumstances should you enter private property.

Sections open:

Tallarook to Trawool Resort (vice versa)             11 kms Some works to complete, caution where pathway surface rough

Yea to Homewood (vice versa)                                  8 km Some works to complete, caution where pathway surface rough

Molesworth to Yea (vice versa)                                 17 km Some works to complete, caution where pathway surface rough

Mansfield to Bonnie Doon (vice versa)                    22 km 

Please check this website for regular updates regarding openings of sections.

14 December 2011

As previously advised an announcement was due at 5pm today (14 December 2011) regarding the opening of specific sections of the Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail. Mitchell Shire Council has approved opening of the Tallarook to Trawool Resort section, which will occur on the 23rd December 2011.

Murrindindi Shire Council will advise Project Management when they have further considered, with regards to sections in their municipality.

This website will be updated as soon as any new information becomes available.

 One of the longest rail trails in Australia, the 134km Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail is currently under construction. The completed Rail Trail will traverse the Mitchell, Murrundindi and Mansfield Shires, connecting towns and communities including Tallarook, Trawool, Kerrisdale, Homewood, Yea, Molesworth, Cathkin, Alexandra, Koriella, Kanumbra, Merton, Woodfield, Bonnie Doon, Maindample and Mansfield.

The project began in 2004 when the Mansfield, Murrindindi and Mitchell Shires agreed to work towards developing a Concept & Business Plan covering Tallarook – Yea – Mansfield, including a spur line to Alexandra.

In mid-2009 funding of $14M was secured for the development and construction phase of the Rail Trail, of which $13M is from Federal Government funds and $1M from State Government funds and cash and in-kind resource allocation by all three Councils. It is scheduled for completion in December 2011.

The completed Rail Trail will include 134km shared bicycle, walking and bridle trail between Mansfield and Tallarook with a link to Alexandra from Cathkin. Originally there were 68 bridges along this disused rail line and many of them are currently being repaired or replaced. The Goulburn River Bridge at Molesworth will be a highlight when it is fully functional again later this year as will the King Parrot Creek Bridge which will be one of the highest and longest bridges when restored. Some of the bridges will not be replaced as regulations on bridge heights have changed since the original train line was laid. Where it is not possible to rebuild these bridges, low level crossings will be used. Some of the smaller bridges will be replaced with culverts and the heritage bridges will be maintained with a sympathetic refurbishment.

The trail will have several major road crossings all of which have VicRoads approval. The crossing of the Goulburn Valley Highway at Trawool has offered some challenges for the project team and  now with much consideration  an underpass has been built.

Bollards erected at the Cheviot Tunnel have been pulled out of the ground with vehicles accessing the tunnel. The bollards were put in place to stop vehicle movements on the still to be completed trail. The bollards were placed there for a safety – cars and people on a rail trail do not mix.  The vandalism has been reported to police and anyone with information is encouraged to notify Yea police.

Trail construction is moving ahead very quickly at the moment with works on bridges and trail surface being laid across the three shires. Work has started on bridges near Merton and Bridge 28 the next bridge after the Goulburn River. Culvert pipes have replace bridges in a couple of places very successfully. A bridge rebuild next to Lake Eildon has been completed west of Bonnie Doon. Furniture is being placedat the new shelters for weary travellers to rest or take in the views.

SECTIONS OF THE TRAIL WILL BE OPEN PRE CHRISTMAS BUT FOUR SIGNIFICANT BRIDGES ARE UNLIKELY TO BE COMPLETED IN TIME TO CONNECT THE TRAIL FROM TALLAROOK TO ALEXANDRA TO MANSFIELD UNTIL JANUARY.

AS SOON AS SECTIONS ARE OPEN THE WEBSITE WILL BE UPDATED.

Although tempting to have a look at the trail around Alexandra, Yea and Tallarook it is still a construction site with the path surface still to be completed. Unauthorised motorised vehicles including motor bikes are not allowed on the trail and penalties will apply to anyone caught doing so.

Check out the dates for the Country Markets on the Events page.

 The new  Granite Underpass is approximately 1 kilometre east of Trawool Resort on the Goulburn Valley Highway.The underpass was required to comply with VicRoads regulations relating to sight lines for road crossings.

 Bridges 26 and 27 have been rebuilt to cross the Goulburn River at Molesworth. These bridges aren’t accessible currently due to works still being carried out on the trail.

FOR THE LATEST UPDATE CHECK OUT THE E-NEWSLETTER.

The Striped Legless Lizard is ‘listed as vulnerable’ under the Australian Govenment’s Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999). Bertram Lobert, (ecologist) members of the project team and contractors recently examined areas of the trail where legless lizards have previously been recored. Following positive identification of salvaged animals and inspection, all animals were released into suitable habitat adjacent to the graded trail.

Legless Lizards ( Delma impar)

 Mansfield – Maindample – Bonnie Doon Yea (22km): Mansfield to Bonnie Doon is now connected by the Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail. The trail meanders through beautiful farming country following the disused rail line through Maindample and over the Brankeet Arm of Lake Eildon. The trail starts of finishes at the historic Mansfield Railway Station that now houses the Mansfield Historical Society next to the Visitor Information Centre.

Looking east along the trail you can take in the magnificent scenery of the high country with Mt Buller, Mt Stirling and Timbertop clearly in sight as you head towards Mansfield. The former train bridge across Lake Eildon was converted into a cycle/walking bridge in 1999. With water once again in the lake this makes a terrific look out area to view activities on the lake.

With a further 100 kms planned to Yea and beyond to Tallarook, plus a branch line to Alexandra, this trail will soon become a classic way to explore the High Country at your own pace – on a bike, on foot or on horseback. Haven’t got a bike? No worries give the information centre a call on 1800 039 049 for details on bike hire as well as maps, events and accommodation.

 Yea (1km) A short section of the Rail Trail meanders through the Yea Railway Park. The precinct has a Children’s playground, Skatepark, BBQ facilities, Toilets and the historic Railway Station.

Cheviot Tunnel: It is possible to walk, cycle  or ride through this 200m railway tunnel built in 1889. To reach the tunnel, take Limestone Road (on the right after leaving Yea, traveling towards Mansfield). After a couple of kilometers there is a signpost to the tunnel on Cheviot Road to the left.  This will become the longest rail trail tunnel in Victoria. NB: Cheviot Tunnel is now closed to motor vehicles.

Goulbum River High Country Rail Trail, Proudly Supported by:

	EnvironmentLeave all flora and fauna undisturbedTake your rubbish home or use bins providedNo firewood collectionread more…		Your Safety Take care at road crossingsObserve all signs and local regulationsCheck weather conditions before travelread more …
	Trail EtiquetteRespect the rights of other users at all times:Keep left and do not obstruct the trailCyclists give way to walkersAlert other users of your approachRead more…		Dogs and HorsesRide horses off the bike/walking track unless signage indicates otherwiseThe horse must be ridden at a walking pace when on the track formed for walking and bike ridingread more…