Yarra Valley Trail Stage 1a Officially Opened
The drizzle on Saturday 15th February was not at all summer-like and, while welcome by many, was not ideal for a rail trail opening. Nevertheless, it didn’t dampen the mood as Wurundjeri Elder Tony Garvey welcomed everyone to the long-awaited official opening of Stage 1a of the Yarra Valley Trail.
Stage 1a is 7.5km from Lilydale to Yering.
Federal government MP Tony Smith noted the support of all three levels of government in funding this rail trail, a total of $8.5m.
Rail Trails Australia vice-president Steven Kaye described the long campaign of more than 12 years to get to this day, which he was instrumental in leading, and the many other supporters involved on the journey. He emphasised how gaining the support of all Yarra Ranges Shire councillors was needed to bring what initially was a very controversial idea to reality.
The support of the council was evident with the mayor and at least four other councillors present. The councillors in turn thanked the Yarra Ranges Shire staff who have delivered a high standard rail trail in a very short time and are very pleased with the number of walkers and riders already using it.
Following the opening, staff led a group of riders out on a tour of features of the trail on e-bikes provided by Yarra Valley Cycles.
Shire staff are well into planning of the more challenging 4.5km Stage 1b from Yering to Yarra Glen (total of 12km) and construction should commence later this year. Stage 1b required construction of eight major bridges and a 780m long boardwalk across the Yarra River flood plains. The boardwalk will be beside the former long wooden railway viaduct which burnt down in the 2009 Black Saturday bushfire.
More News
Rail Trails Australia’s regional representatives are often testing out ‘their’ rail trails in the regi...
Our vice-president Steven Kaye was interviewed by Nic Healey on ABC radio (Victoria) this week. He discussed how local c...
Get ready to ride the Great Victorian Rail Trail (GVRT) on Saturday, March 29. Cycle Dindi is a fully supported, family ...
Rail Trails Australia has announced the winners of $10,000 worth of grants designed to assist community organisations to...
Time is running out on the public consultation for an extension of the Mornington Railside Trail on the Mornington Penin...
Transforming a disused railway line into a prized tourist attraction and public space is no easy task. The Summer 2024-2...
Building a shared bridge over busy Toorak Rd on the Outer Circle Rail Trail in Melbourne was not one of the state gove...
Tablelands Regional Council (TRC) and Mareeba Shire Council gathered at Walkamin recently to celebrate the joining of No...
The excitement continues in the Northern Rivers region of NSW with the official opening of Stage 3 of the Northern River...
The Barossa Council has been conducting a cleanup of the Angaston Station precinct on the Barossa Rail Trail. Invasive s...
The duplication of Adelaide’s Main South Rd to Aldinga, and its new shared path, have given users of the Coast to ...
Get ready for a fun-filled day of cycling on the scenic Great Victorian Rail Trail on Sunday, March 2, 2025. This family...
Plans for an 8km extension of the Mornington Railside Trail as part of the ambitious Peninsula Trails project in Victori...
With 92% of respondents to a survey wanting more trail, Gympie Regional Council is starting detailed design of an extens...
This year’s Great Victorian Bike Ride hit the rail trails, with Day 7 (November 29) involving a 77km stretch of th...
An iconic hotel on the 25km Dawes Range “tunnel” section of the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail is making a ...
Calendar of Events
See upcoming eventsNews Archives
Receive Our Free Email News
Stay up to date with the latest news about Rail Trails with our free email news.
Register for news updatesFeatured Articles
More News
Rail Trails Australia’s regional representatives are often testing out ‘their’ rail trails in the regi...
Our vice-president Steven Kaye was interviewed by Nic Healey on ABC radio (Victoria) this week. He discussed how local c...
Get ready to ride the Great Victorian Rail Trail (GVRT) on Saturday, March 29. Cycle Dindi is a fully supported, family ...
Rail Trails Australia has announced the winners of $10,000 worth of grants designed to assist community organisations to...
Time is running out on the public consultation for an extension of the Mornington Railside Trail on the Mornington Penin...
Transforming a disused railway line into a prized tourist attraction and public space is no easy task. The Summer 2024-2...
Building a shared bridge over busy Toorak Rd on the Outer Circle Rail Trail in Melbourne was not one of the state gove...
Tablelands Regional Council (TRC) and Mareeba Shire Council gathered at Walkamin recently to celebrate the joining of No...
The excitement continues in the Northern Rivers region of NSW with the official opening of Stage 3 of the Northern River...
The Barossa Council has been conducting a cleanup of the Angaston Station precinct on the Barossa Rail Trail. Invasive s...
The duplication of Adelaide’s Main South Rd to Aldinga, and its new shared path, have given users of the Coast to ...
Get ready for a fun-filled day of cycling on the scenic Great Victorian Rail Trail on Sunday, March 2, 2025. This family...
Plans for an 8km extension of the Mornington Railside Trail as part of the ambitious Peninsula Trails project in Victori...
With 92% of respondents to a survey wanting more trail, Gympie Regional Council is starting detailed design of an extens...
This year’s Great Victorian Bike Ride hit the rail trails, with Day 7 (November 29) involving a 77km stretch of th...
An iconic hotel on the 25km Dawes Range “tunnel” section of the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail is making a ...
