NORTH EAST WEATHER
FAQ’s
Frequently asked questions
When will the trail be open?
Due to delays in bridge works the opening of the entire trail has been delayed until 31 March 2012. A date for the official opening is still to be confirmed. Bridge works are still in progress in the Cathkin and Mansfield areas. Updates will be made on this site on a regular basis.
Distances
Tallarook is 90km from Melbourne and Mansfield 195 km from Melbourne
Tallarook – Trawool Resort 11 kilometres
Trawool Resort – Yea 23 kilometres
Yea – Cheviot Tunnel 9 kilometres
Cheviot Tunnel – Molesworth 8 kilometres
Molesworth – Cathkin 4 kilometres
Cathkin – Alexandra 13 kilometres spur line
Cathkin - Yarck 6 kilometres
Yarck – Merton 19 kilometres
Merton – Bonnie Doon 15 kilometres
Bonnie Doon – Mansfield 22 kilometres
Tallarook – Yea 38 Kilometres
Yea – Alexandra 34 Kilometres
Yea – Mansfield 83 Kilometres
Alexandra – Mansfield 75 Kilometres
Accommodation
The range of accommodation along the trail is quite diverse. There are hotels, motels, carvan parks and camping grounds, B&B’s, farmstays and houses.
Click on the Shire links for more information regarding accommodation.
Toilet Stops & Shelters
New toilets have been built along the trail at Monument Upper Goulburn Road Tallarook, Trawool Resort, Kerrisdale, Homewood, Molesworth, Cheviot Station, Cathkin, Koriella, Woodfield, Maindample and Pikes Road Mansfield. Public toilets are also located at Tallarook, Yea, Yarck, Alexandra, Bonnie Doon and Mansfield.
Several new shelters have been built along to trail, these are beside the Goulburn River between Tallarook and Goulburn Valley Highway, Goulburn River near Kerrisdale, Cheviot Tunnel, Eglington Cutting, Merton Gap, Woodfield Station and Olivers Road Mansfield
| Question | Answer |
| What is a rail trail? | A rail trail is a multi-use recreational path way that has been developed on a former railway easement that has been set aside for recreational use including cycling, walking, horse riding and other activities. |
| What is the Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail? | Once construction is finished the Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail will be one of the longest rail trails in Australia, the 134km rail trail is a shared bicycle, walking and bridle trail.It will traverse the Mitchell, Murrindindi and Mansfield Shires, connecting towns and communities from Tallarook (approximately 100 km from Melbourne) to Trawool, Kerrisdale, Homewood, Yea, Molesworth, Cathkin, Alexandra, Koriella, Kanumbra, Merton, Woodfield, Bonnie Doon, Maindample and Mansfield.The Rail Trail promises many exciting adventures as it winds along the heritage-classified Goulburn River, through the Trawool Valley, classified by the National Trust for its scenic beauty, on its way to the magnificent High Country.Towns and settlements along the way offer unique experiences and new places to explore, including historic landmarks and buildings, art galleries, museums, food and wine, shopping and markets. |
| Whose idea was it to construct the Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail? | For some time local councils and the community have been wanting to make better use of the land previously used by the rail trail. Mitchell Shire Cr Bill Melbourne has a letter showing that proposals to build a rail trail were in existence in the late 1970s.In 2005 the Councils of Mitchell, Murrindindi and Mansfield Shire obtained a grant to develop a Concept Design and Business Plan for a rail trail along the former railway from Tallarook to Mansfield (with a leg to Alexandra).In November 2008 the three Shires signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work cooperatively to complete the entire trail. |
| How long will the Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail be? | When completed the Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail will be 134km long, making it one of the longest rail trails in Australia. |
| Is it being constructed all at once or in sections? | For ease of management the construction the rail trail has been split into 13 sections. |
| What are the different phases of the construction process that need to be addressed on a section by section basis? | Determination of the exact path or route.Land tenancy mattersFlora and Fauna surveys and protectionAboriginal heritage mattersDesignPlanning permitsContracting suppliersConstruction |
| When will it be open? | The Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail will be opened progressively as construction of each section is complete. |
| What factors may lead to delays in achieving this completion date? | Land tenancy and the lease from Victrack and resolving issues with neighbouring land holders.Flora and fauna issuesContracting suppliersWeather, fires and floods |
| How is the relationship between the three Shires for the development and on going use of the rail trail formalized? | A memorandum of understanding between the three Shires Councils has been signed, which has lead to the creation of the Committee of Management. This MOU outlines the responsibilities and commitments of the Shire Councils to the project. |
| What will the designation of the land be upon which the rail trail is to be created? | It will be a Crown Land reserve, leased to the three Shires, and managed by a Committee of Management. |
| What is meant by the Regulations for the rail trail, and what are the main elements of these regulations? | The Committee of Management have developed a set of regulations to govern the use of the trail. These have been approved by the government.The main elements of the regulations are to outlaw certain activities, to control the use of the rail trail, and to provide the opportunity of imposing sanctions on those who misuse the rail trail. |
| What is the Code of Conduct for trail users? | All rail trails have a Code on Conduct, usually displayed at major points. The Code of Conduct includes:Respect the rights of other users at all times,Respect the rights of landholders,Help protect the environment,Observe signs and local regulations. |
| When did the last train run? | November 1978. |
| Why is it called a rail “trail” and not a “track”? | While some people regarding “track” an Australian term and ”trail” an American term, the word “trail” is used extensively overseas and rail track sounds very much like a train could still use it. |
| Why do people like rail trails? |
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| Who is funding construction of the rail trail? | Funding of $14M has been secured for the development and construction phase of the GRHCRT, of which $13M is from Federal Government funds and $1M from State Government funds and cash and in-kind resource allocation by three Shire Councils – Mitchell, Murrindindi and Mansfield. |
| Who is managing the rail trail? | Project management includes the Committee of Management, Technical Group and Advisory Group |
| Who is on the Advisory Group and what is their role? | The role of the Advisory Group is to provide a conduit for community interaction with the exciting Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail project.Individuals and community groups along the trail are encouraged to contact their local representatives with input, ideas or concerns about the project and future use of the trail. The Advisory Group will then provide feedback to the Rail Trail Committee of Management.Community representatives are: Rod Clue (Murrindindi), Chair, Colleen Reynolds (Mansfield) and Bernard Morris (Mitchell). Other members of the Advisory Group are Shire officers, Jane Archbold (Murrindindi), Kaaren Smethurst (Mansfield) and Chris Guthrie (Mitchell), as well as Phil Browne, Country Fire Authority, and John Sinclair, Victorian Farmers Federation. |
| How many towns along the trail? | The Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail will connect more than 15 towns and communities through the Mitchell, Murrindindi and Mansfield Shires, including Trawool, Kerrisdale, Homewood, Yea, Molesworth, Cathkin, Alexandra, Koriella, Kanumbra, Merton, Woodfield, Bonnie Doon, Maindample and Mansfield. |
| Can local community groups organize events and activities along the rail trail without getting approval? If approval is required from whom do they receive this approval? | Please enquire at the appropriate Shire office regarding events. Approval will be required for some events and activities.Mansfield Shire Council 03 5775 8555Murrindindi Shire Council 03 5772 0333Mitchell Shire Council 03 5734 6200 |
| What facilities are on the trail? | There will be many stop off points along the trail which include toilets and bbqs.Tallarook, Yea, Alexandra, Bonnie Doon and Mansfield all have bbq facilities. As the trail progresses rest stops will be built. |
| How can I have my say? | Individuals and community groups along the trail are encouraged to contact their Advisory Group local representatives with input, ideas or concerns about the project and future use of the trail.The Advisory Group will then provide feedback to the Rail Trail Committee of Management.Email: railtrail@mansfield.vic.gov.au |
