The Victorian Government is funding a bus service from Colac to Lavers Hill in the Otway Ranges passing by the Old Beechy Rail trail at several points. It will run on Saturdays from 1 January to 30 April 2011 to supplement the Lavers Hill – Colac run that has been operating since 2 July this year.
Starting at Memorial Square in Colac, the Saturday service meets the 9:59 V/Line arrival from Melbourne a little after 10 AM, so it's designed for a great day out from Melbourne. The bus then takes the scenic route to arrive at Lavers Hill at 11:20. You can pick up the Old Beechy Rail Trail at the Library/Bluewater pool stop, the Gellibrand Store or at Beech Forest.
The return bus leaves Lavers Hill at 2 PM to arrive back in Colac 3:25 PM, leaving plenty of time to explore everything the town of Colac has to offer before catching the 6:44 PM V/Line back to Melbourne.
Bikes are encouraged so if you haven't been to the area before this is a great opportunity to plan a day or a weekend exploring one of Victoria's great rail trails and some spectacular countryside.
Bookings
Tickets are purchased from the driver on the day.
Group bookings 0439 311 090
Bike transport 0439 311 090 Please provide 24 hours notice to bus operator
V/Line bookings and seat reservations 5231 4603 (Colac office hours Sat 7.30am-1pm) or 136 196 (V/Line call centre) or www.vline.com.au
Active taxis Colac 5231 5833 (Multipurpose taxi)
Timetable
|
FRIDAYS 2/7/10 - 30/4/11 |
LAVERS HILL TO COLAC (return) |
SATURDAYS 1/1/11 - 30/4/11 |
COLAC TO LAVERS HILL (return) |
|
Lavers Hill V/Line Coastal Coach stop |
0900 |
Memorial Square Colac City bus stop |
1002 |
|
Beech Forest Beechy Rail Trail |
0915 |
Colac V/Line station 9.59am train from Melbourne |
1005 |
|
Ferguson Junction Café, museum |
0925 |
Library/Bluewater pool Old Beechy Rail Trail start |
Arr. 1008 Dep. 1010 |
|
Gellibrand Store Café, Beechy Rail Trail, Hotel, Fishing |
0935 |
Otway Estate Winery Barongarook |
1025 |
|
Loves Creek Bar b q/picnic area |
0942 |
Loves Creek Bar b q/picnic area |
1033 |
|
Library/Bluewater pool Old Beechy Rail Trail start |
1005 |
Gellibrand Store Café, Beechy Rail Trail, Hotel, Fishing Otway Tourist Park |
Arr. 1040 Dep. 1050 |
|
Colac V/Line station Drop off for 12.44pm train to Melbourne |
1008 |
Otway Fly/Ferguson Otway Fly pickup, Café, museum |
1100 |
|
Connor Street bus stop Medical clinics |
1010 |
Beech Forest Beechy Rail Trail, Turton’s Track, B&Bs, hotel |
1105 |
|
Memorial Square Colac City bus stop |
Arr. 1015 Dep. 1335 |
Lavers Hill V/Line bus stop, café, hotel |
Arr. 1120 Dep. 1400 |
|
Colac V/Line station Pick up from 12.44pm train fromW’bool 2.53pm train from Melbourne |
1338 |
Beech Forest Old Beechy Rail Trail, Turton’s Track |
Arr. 1410 Dep. 1415 |
|
Connor St bus stop Medical clinics |
1340 |
Otway Fly/Ferguson Otway Fly drop off, café, museum, |
1420 |
|
Library/Bluewater pool Old Beechy Rail Trail start |
1343 |
Gellibrand Store
|
Arr. 1430 Dep. 1440 |
|
Loves Creek Bar b q/picnic area |
1403 |
Loves Creek Bar b q/picnic area |
1447 |
|
Gellibrand Store Café, Beechy Rail Trail, Hotel, Fishing |
Arr. 1410 Dep. 1415 |
Otway Estate Winery Barongarook |
1500 |
|
Ferguson Junction Café, museum |
1425 |
Library/Bluewater pool Old Beechy Rail Trail start |
Arr. 1520 Dep. 1522 |
|
Beech Forest Beechy Rail Trail |
1430 |
Colac V/Line station 6.44pm train to Melbourne |
1525 |
|
Lavers Hill V/Line bus, FINAL STOP |
1445 |
Memorial Square FINAL STOP |
1530 |