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Trail Potential

Goulburn to Crookwell Rail Trail

NSW country and ACT

4 based on 1 reviews
Location: 195km southwest of Sydney, in the Southern Tablelands
Length: 0 km
Surface: Disused railway line
Start / End: Goulburn to Crookwell
Public Transport: Train
Suitable for:
  • NOT YET OPENNOT YET OPEN

  • Rail Trail
  • On Road
  • Potential RT
  • Other Trail
  • Former Railway
Trail Potential
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  • When built, the Goulburn to Crookwell Rail Trail will offer a high-quality 57 km trail through some of NSW’s best rural countryside, linking the historic regional city of Goulburn with the village of Crookwell.
  • Two hours by car or train southwest of Sydney and an hour north of Canberra, Goulburn is the ideal site for the head of this proposed rail trail.
  • The trail will cross the Wollondilly River near Goulburn on a steel lattice bridge, and rises from 630m to 980m as it crosses the Great Dividing Range on its way inland.

An interim proposal (early 2023) will use the first 10km of the rail corridor from Goulburn to provide a new walking and cycling pathway, linking Goulburn CBD and existing riverside paths to the initial section of the rail trail.

Nearby Attractions

  • Goulburn is a major inland regional city and offers a variety of tourist attractions including a large Rail Heritage Centre and the Big Merino monument
  • Crookwell is a centre for agriculture and farming and hosts an annual potato festival; it has many accommodation options
  • Other Southern Tablelands attractions nearby include the historic towns of Braidwood, Yass and Gunning

Last updated: 28 October 2023

This Trail is not developed – It is one of 17 potential rail trails in NSW

The trail will run for 57 km through rolling hills and farmland. Access in the Goulburn area will be at Grafton St at the northern end of the CBD – close to where the Crookwell railway line branched off the main southern line, just before the main southern line passes over the Mulwaree River.

The main intermediate point on the rail trail is at Woodhouselee; at the time of writing no shops or services are available there.

The station building and railway yards at Crookwell are intact but there are few other constructed remnants along the corridor.

Important note: This rail trail is not yet open. The alignment is owned by Transport NSW and much of it passes through private property. Trespassing on the alignment is prohibited.

Section Guides

This rail trail is not yet open.

Do you know of a bike hire or transportation service on this rail trail that should appear here? If so, let us know at admin@railtrails.org.au.

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One review of “Goulburn to Crookwell Rail Trail”

This is a major potential rail trail for NSW, located around 2 hours by car from most Sydney suburbs. With both regional councils in support and much of the planning work done, hopefully finance will be approved to bring this long-disused rail corridor to life as a significant regional asset.

Background Information

Traditional owners

We acknowledge the Gundungarra people, the traditional custodians of the land and waterways on which the rail trail will be built.

Development and future of the rail trail

Local advocates for the Goulburn to Crookwell rail trail have been working for many years to bring this rail trail to life for the benefit of the greater Goulburn and Upper Lachlan economic regions.

The trail has the support of both regional councils on the corridor and is under active consideration by the Department of Regional NSW. There has been extensive research into the economic and community benefits of developing this trail, the closest to Sydney of such a length.

Rail line history 

The 57 km line from Goulburn opened in 1902 and was built at the urging of local farmers, who needed a reliable way to get produce to market. The terrain around the line is hilly and local roads were frequently cut during bad weather, creating the need for more reliable transport.

During its lifetime the line carried passengers, stock, general goods, iron ore and superphosphate. By the 1970s traffic had declined considerably, and by the mid-1980s the line was unprofitable. The last train ran in August 1985.

Another line branched off the Crookwell line from Roslyn to Taralga: this section closed in 1957.

Southern NSW Rail Trails Making Progress

Posted: 28/10/23

What is the situation with numerous rail trail proposals in the southern highlands of NSW? ...

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Goulburn rail trail a step closer

Posted: 28/09/23

Plans for a rail trail in the NSW regional city of Goulburn are a step ...

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Progress on Goulburn and Batlow Rail Trails

Posted: 12/02/23

Two proposed significant New South Wales rail trails have recently received funding for updated feasibility ...

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Show your support for the proposed Goulburn – Crookwell Rail Trail in NSW

Posted: 27/10/21

The Goulburn - Crookwell Rail Trail planning stages are now complete, and the trail is ...

More...
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