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Trail Search Port Fairy - Warrnambool
Port Fairy - Warrnambool - Trail Description
- Trail
Port Fairy - Warrnambool
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Type: Rail trail Location: 260km south west of Melbourne Start/end: Port Fairy to Warrnambool Status: Open Length open: 37km Surface: Compacted earth, Coarse gravel, Fine gravel, Sealed Terrain: Flat, undulating Best seasons: All Public transport: Train Features: tourist Photos: 15 Videos: 0 Comments : 3 News Items: 8 
Koroit station site (2011)
- Details
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Features
- The trail starts at Regent St in Port Fairy and ends at the Warrnambool foreshore promenade.
- After leaving Port Fairy it skirts the northern side of a 25,000 year old extinct volcano, now the Tower Hill State Game Reserve. The crater is home to native animals and has many walking tracks.
- From the Highway to Warrnambool the trail does not follow the original alignment.
Description
Port Fairy to Koroit . (17.7km)
This section is sealed for 1.5 kilometres as it leaves the town. After crossing the Princes Highway, the trail passes through farmland before arriving at the old station in Koroit, which is being beautifully restored to its former condition. Koroit is a lovely town, with refreshments and toilets etc.
Koroit to Illowa. (5.5km)
This section travels south east toward the Princes Highway where an underpass has been built. At Lanes Lane, just before the Highway, you travel west along the lane to the underpass.
Illowa to Levy's Point (8.8km)
As you pass under the Highway, you ride along the Illowa Rd which has been fenced off to provide safety, and turn right into Millers Lane. At the top of the lane the path continues on the right hand side of the horse riding school, and down hill, across the board walk and over Kelly''s Swamp. The trail continues on a dirt road past the knackery to Levy's Point..
Levy's Point to Warrnambool (5.7km)
The last section of the trail winds along the Merri River to the breakwater in Warrnambool.
The section between Illowa and Warrnambool is not on the original railway alignment, and at present the signage is minimal in this section.
Background Information
The line was opened in 1890 and cropping farmers were pleased to be able to send their produce to Geelong by train, rather than by ship from Warrnambool and Port Fairy (then known as Belfast) ports. The area grew wheat, oats, malting, peas and beans, potatoes, turnips, hay and grasses.
The line also provided an important recreational aspect. Special trains ran to the seaside towns for picnics and excursions.
The line closed in 1977.
Links
The rail trail is maintained by the Rail Trail Committee of Management, Moyne Shire Council (03) 5568 0555, and Warrnambool City Council (03) 5559 4800
Feedback on the rail trail is appreciated and can be provided to any of the above.
Friends of the Rail Trail – contact details are contained in the official website.
May 2012
- Photos
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Port Fairy - Warrnambool - Photos
Koroit station site (2011)
Start of trail, Regent St., Port Fa
The railway signal near Port Fairy
Between Port Fairy and Koroit
Bridge across the Moyne River
Bush along the trail
Halfway to Koroit from Port Fairy
Typical of the trail between Port F
Riding toward Warrnambool from Koro
Road crossing
Highway underpass
Board walk over Kelly's Swamp (2012
Along the Merri River
Riding along the Merri River from W
End of trail at Warrnambool Breakwa - Comments
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Comments
3 commentsJanuary 22, 2013 by DiggerDawson
Sorry. Should have said "travelling West" towards Port Fairy.
January 22, 2013 by DiggerDawson
Travelling East Hint 1: Don't go up to Levy's Point Park and off through the bush trail unless you want to do a bit of mountain biking. The trail is very sandy there. Better to go (as indicated) along the graded dirt road by the knackery. Hint 2: The alternate route from the Lady Bay Resort is more pleasant than going up Stanley and McDonald streets. When you get to the old Woollen Mill wall (now much graffitied) turn left and you will find a narrow bridge across Merri Creek, then a short ride up the grassy hill to the road and the rest of the trail. You can see the bridge on the satellite version of the Google map on this site.
July 30, 2012 by lbatch@bigpond.net.au
I ride the trail on a regular basis. An excellent initiative and a very worthwhile venture. It is amazing, regardless of the weather, just how many other people are utilising this wonderful resource. Well done to all involved.
- News
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News
Good news on the Warrnambool to Port Fairy rail trail.
(Posted: 05/03/13)
A Moyne Gazette article shows great usage of the Warrnambool to Port Fairy Rail Trail.
More...Opening of Port Fairy to Warrnambool Rail Trail (Vic)
(Posted: 06/06/12)
The opening of the Port Fairy to Warrnambool Rail Trail took place on 31st May 2012 at the Koroit Railway station building.
More...Port Fairy to Koroit, Organised Fundraiser Ride (VIC)
(Posted: 12/01/11)
Join us on a ride from Port Fairy to Koroit or Koroit to Port Fairy - All welcome!
More...Port Fairy to Koroit (Vic) Now Open
(Posted: 03/07/10)
The Port Fairy to Koroit section of the Port Fairy to Warrnambool Rail Trail in Western Victoria is now open.
More...Port Fairy to Warnambool Rail Trail
(Posted: 13/04/09)
Work is continuing on this important Victorian Rail Trail. More...
Start of Port Fairy to Warrnambool Rail Trail (Victoria)
(Posted: 27/02/08)
On Monday 25th Febraury 2008 a collection of interested people gathered near the station site in Port Fairy to see the first sods turned to start the new 37km trail.
More...Port Fairy to Warrnambool Rail Trail (South West Victoria) Receives Funding
(Posted: 24/11/06)
The Moyne and Warrnambool Shire councils have been successful in obtaining funding of $850,000 to begin construction of the 33km Port Fairy to Warrnambool rail trail More...
Proposed Port Fairy - Denington Rail Trail Feasibility Study Released
(Posted: 24/01/05)
Moyne Shire Council is seeking submissions on the proposal by thursday 17th February 2005. More...
