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O'Keefe Rail Trail - Trail Description
- Trail
O'Keefe Rail Trail
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Type: Rail trail Location: East of Bendigo, 150km from Melbourne Start/end: Bendigo (Lake Weeroona) to Axedale Status: Open Length open: 23km Surface: Coarse gravel Terrain: Generally flat Best seasons: Spring Public transport: Train, Coach Photos: 8 Videos: 0 Comments : 2 News Items: 5 
The only original bridge on the outskirts of Bendigo (2009)
- Details
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Features
- Relatively flat rail trail traversing box-ironbark and yellow gum woodland
- Trail surface is a mixture of gravel types, with some sections currently being progressively upgraded. The trail is still rough in certain sections. Trail surface overall is suitable for MTB or hybrid bikes only.
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Horses are permitted though no formal bridal way currently exists. Horse riders are reminded to use walking pace only, and where possible, not to ride on the upgraded trail surface in those sections.
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A major upgrade of the trail is currently funded and underway, which includes a trail extension from Axedale to Heathcote (2010-2014).
Options
- Alternative return route along forest tracks through box-ironbark woodland, then a main road and the One Tree Hill Regional Park.
- Explore the 65km Bendigo Bushland Trail by bike or on foot. Map from Bendigo Visitor Information centre
- Whipstick and Kamarooka State Parks are just north of Bendigo. Both have good short walks.
Description
Access Points
- Bendigo - The northern car park, off Weeroona Ave, at Lake Weeroona. A café and other facilities are nearby. Bendigo station is 3km to the south.
- Longlea - Peppercorn Park off Longlea Lane
- Axedale - off the McIvor Highway via Mitchell Street.
North Bendigo to Axedale (23km)
- From Lake Weeroona follow the Bendigo Creek Linear Park to a fork and turn right to begin the O'Keefe Rail Trail. Cross the Midland Highway with care and go through the brick-lined culvert under the Bendigo–Echuca railway line.
- At the 4km point a trail branches to the north to the former army ammunition facility. The Bendigo Bushland Trail now joins the rail trail as far as Markovitch Lane.
- Take care crossing the McIvor highway next to the Baptist Church at Junortoun.
- After 12km is Axe Creek with its new at-grade bridge.
- The rail trail proper ends at the site of the former Aexdale racecourse platform site after passing the former Axedale station site.
- Continue on past Axedale cemetery, then follow the gravel road to the McIvor Highway and into town.The trail now ends at the Campaspe River at Axedale via some on road sections (as per map)
There are plenty of wildflowers including orchids in bloom in spring. Axe Creek bridge is a good place for a picnic.
Sites of former stations are marked on the map. Generally little remains of them though the Friends of the Bendigo Kilmore Rail Trail are erecting signs in December 2012 and plan to recreate sections in the future to add to the experience of the rail trail.
Background Information
This line was built in 1888 by Andrew O'Keefe to link Bendigo and Heathcote. From here the line continued to Heathcote Junction, near Wallan, on the North Eastern main line. The Heathcote - Bendigo section of that line closed in 1958 (as the construction of Lake Eppalock reservior was taking place) This lightly-trafficked branch line was then completely closed by 1968.
The first section of a rail trail between Bendigo and Axedale was opened in 1993 (by former Shire of Strathfieldsaye Council), the second stage constructed and opened in 1999 (by current City of Greater Bendigo Council), though like its former railway it was basic affair with rough surface and many low level crossings.
The potential was there though, and in 2009 the Friends of the Bendigo - Kilmore Rail Trail was formed by locals to lobby for the extension of the rail trail and advise the councils. In 2010 the Bendigo Council and Victorian Government committed to a significant upgrade of the rail trail including installing bridges on the Axedale section, and extending it a further 26 km to Heathcote.
In late 2012 construction started at Heathcote to extend the trail back to Axedale and some short sections with Heathcote are open.
There is also interest in converting more of this former railway into a rail trail all the way to Kilmore and the Hume Freeway, and connecting with the railway from Melbourne to Wodonga.
Links
The trail is managed by the City of Greater Bendigo. Refer to their website below to report any issues.
http://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/
Friends of the Bendigo - Kilmore Rail Trail have been very active in developments on this rail trail.
Bendigo Tourism website. The Bendigo Visitor Information Centre is located in Pall Mall, Bendigo.
March 2013
- Photos
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O'Keefe Rail Trail - Photos
The only original bridge on the out ...
A grand entrance to the rail trail ...
Walkers enjoying one of the new bri
Typical scenery on the trail betwee ...
The original low level suspension b ...
The new bridge across Axe Creek vie ...
The new bridge crossing over the Ax
The volunteer Friends of the Rail T ... - Comments
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Comments
2 commentsMay 20, 2013 by gnlong
Updates to comments made by AndiJ (16/12/2012) 1. Referring to the township of Axedale facilities, these are currently the Axedale Tavern (drinks, meals, coffee etc), and Axedale General Store (food etc, plus fuel), plus a new public toilet facility completed next to the rail trail in the Axedale Hall reserve. 2. As of May 2013, the trail starts/end in Axedale River Reserve Campaspe River (access via Williams St), yet this will change soon with the current construction of a new trail bridge over this river plus an underpass under the McIvor Hwy in Axedale River Reserve. There is a new replica railway 'Axedale Racecourse Platform' to be viewed, that has been completed next to the trail. 3. Regarding AndiJ's comments about trail surface being "....rough" and "rocky outcrops", many of these sections that were experienced have now be upgraded in 2013, to "splendid rolled gravel" surfaces, especially in the Junortoun area. More trail maintenance upgrades are planned in 2013-14. 4. Where the trail meets Napier St/ Midland Highway in Bendigo/White Hills, trail users need to cross over this highway to the remainder of the trail (that is directly opposite, now with a sign) rather than using Weeroona Ave as AndiJ mentioned. The remainder of O'Keefe trail's asphalt surface section opposite then connects directly with the Bendigo Creek Trail. NOTE: Crossing the Midland Highway should be carried out with care. An improved cycle/walk crossing at this point has been highlight as an issue (VicRoads). 5. Once on the Bendigo Creek Trail, this will allow access to Lake Weeroona and the city via off road paths. 6. Bennetts Rd crossing mentioned has been completely realigned and upgraded (that sandy section has been bypassed), plus the nearby rocky reef trail surface has completely upgraded with reconstruction works. 7. New trail crossing approaches to the McIvor Highway had been planned, and these are now completed, making this a much safer experience. It is great to hear that riding this trail was "..SO much better than it was in 2005" AndiJ. It is hoped that other users also have a great experience, some of this from the hard work that is currently occurring from efforts by the Greater Bendigo City Council and the Friends of the Bendigo-Kilmore Rail Trail partnership. The currently funded project, to extend the trail between Axedale and Heathcote, is progressing well. New trail sections in the Heathcote township are now open, and other new rural sections are expected to be opened later in 2013.
December 19, 2012 by AndiJ
We cycled this trail December 2012. A bit rough in places for a hybrid bike, but a very enjoyable ride through attractive Bendigo scrub and bush. We started at Axedale; partly because Axedale is nearly 30 metres higher than the other end (there are rises & falls all along, none too extreme), and partly as our midway point was the Lake Weeroona café (lovely iced coffee). So far as I could ascertain, Axedale has a general store (“cold drinks and sandwiches” we were told) but no café. In Axedale we left the car under a tree by the CFA shed, and set off on an excellent new bitumen track, which took us out of town. The bitumen gave way to an splendid rolled gravel & dirt surface, which lasted until after we met the old rail formation (nearly 1km SW of the McIvor Highway). From here the surface varied from quite good gravel, through bloody rough, to rocky outcrops. Most of the old stations are marked by attractive replica rail signs, and the bridges are a special delight to anyone who cycled this path a few years back. On arriving at the Bendigo rail track, the O’Keefe track does not join it… cyclists are whisked sideways and down through a pipe, emerging in Bobs St. Here a path takes one through to Napier St, aka the Midland Highway. To get to Lake Weeroona, cross this, then follow Weeroona Avenue, and 100m after crossing that railway line, go left onto the path going round Lake Weeroona. This trail is SO much better than it was in 2005!! even the worst surface (East of the remains of Junortoun station) is not so bad as the rutted and eroded parts used to be; especially where there was no bridge, and one had to lug the bike down off the formation then back up again. And that unspeakable Swing Bridge is gone, replaced by a simply lovely bridge on which to swoop over the Axe Creek. WARNINGS: Bowles Rd - riding back up off the road to the gate leading back to the rail trial is tricky. Bennets Rd - just to the east is a very nasty fine sand section. Crossing the McIvor Highway needs attention, the rail trail DOES continue, a little to the left of whichever point you leave it; look for the white railway crossing sign. Do not cycle along the track by the McIvor. Coming from Bendigo, be sure to turn Right at the Rangelea Station sign.
- News
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News
O'Keefe Rail Trail Improvements Continue
(Posted: 26/11/12)
Improvements and developments on the O'Keefe Rail Trail in Northern Victoria continue.
More...O'Keefe Rail Trail funding bears fruit (VIC)
(Posted: 01/11/10)
Progress on bridge construction on O'Keefe Rail Trail.
More...O'Keefe Rail Trail Receives Funding for Extension (VIC)
(Posted: 28/06/10)
$3.2 Million committed for the trail extension to Heathcote. More...
O'Keefe Rail Trail (Victoria) Community Ride
(Posted: 20/08/09)
A community ride along the O'Keefe Rail Trail will be held on Saturday 5th September 2009 as part of the Spring in the Bendigo Bush program
More...O'Keefe Rail Trail (Vic) Community Meeting
(Posted: 05/07/09)
The Friends of the Bendigo - Kilmore Rail Trail Group has organised a meeting on this trail for Monday 13 July 2009
More...
