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Tiger Rail Trail

Victoria - West

4 based on 5 reviews
Location: 136km south west of Melbourne
Length: 4.5 km
Surface: Fine gravel
Start / End: Forrest to South of Barwon Downs
Public Transport: Coach, Train
Suitable for:
  • Cycling – Mountain BikesCycling – Mountain Bikes
  • Cycling – Touring and Hybrid BikesCycling – Touring and Hybrid Bikes
  • WalkingWalking

  • Rail Trail
  • On Road
  • Potential Rail Trail
  • Other Trail
  • Former Railway
  • Rail Trail
  • On Road
  • Potential RT
  • Other Trail
  • Former Railway
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It is a short trail, but well maintained, with interpretative signage along the way.

Nearby Attractions

  • The trail meanders along the old railway formation, from south of Barwon Downs and on to Forrest.
  • The trail’s “Tiger” moniker comes from the days when trains stopped running between the towns. A converted Dodge sedan, painted black and yellow, ferried passengers instead.

Last updated: 29 January 2023

Start Point.

Forrest – The trail begins in Forrest, across the road from the Terminus Hotel on Henry Street. (The original railway station site can be seen 500m further south, down Station St.) Approximately 100 metres from the start there is an information board on the corner of Grant St and the Colac-Forrest Road.

Forrest to just south of Barwon Downs

  • The trail  runs through the road reserve, parallel to the original alignment. This provides an excellent view of a former railway bridge.
  • At the Barwon River, the trail passes over a restored bridge incorporating the original pylons. The trail thus follows the original alignment from here.
  • The trail crosses Yaugher Road which provides access (to the right) to a recreation reserve, or (to the left, then following Boundary Rd) to the Yaugher mountain bike route trail head.
  • The trail then winds through the Yaugher State Forest for about 3km, ending around two kilometres south of Barwon Downs. The walk/ride through the forest is a real treat and the surface is good.  There is a picnic table at the current end of the trail. The trail then connects with mountain bike trail 16 “Tiger Loop”. This non-technical trail can be followed back to the rest of the mountain bike network.

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5 reviews of “Tiger Rail Trail”

Not a long trail but very enjoyable.A reasonably good earth surface (with lots of bark & sticks in Feb 2023) and magnificent tall gums

I thought this trail was for Walking Cycling and Horses. As I have ridden my horse on this trail for many years. It's a great trail with great majestic tall gum trees and a couple of old rail bridges. Great history of time gone by.

I walked this trail this week and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It is a short trail and took me just over two hours for a return walk. The walk starts out in open farmland but is mostly in beautiful forest. Allow three hours for a more leisurely pace and for time to picnic on the table and seats at the northern end of the trail. Thanks to Colac-Otway Shire and Forest Fires Management Victoria for keeping the trail in very good condition.

Having overnighted at Dandos Campground, we set off on what we thought was the forest road to Beech Forest, only to discover that somehow we ended up in the pretty little town of Forrest, way to the east of our intended destination
What a great surprise therefore to discover that there was a Rail Trail here, ‘The Tiger’ that we had never heard of. So bikes off the camper and away we went. The photos accompanying this site are excellent and accurately reflect the atmosphere of the ride. It will be great to see this RT extended if and when finances become available.Some of the best historical info. signs we have seen are along the ‘Tiger’….great to provide info for people like us who have come from outside the area
Whilst in the area, don’t miss out on the walk to Lake Elizabeth, just a few km’s out of town. Saw lots of people and also school groups utilising the excellent network of mountain bike trails in the area too.

I rode this trail yesterday (4th Feb 2015) on the way home from doing the Port Fairy Rail Trail. This is a great short trail starting in the town of Forrest that goes into the surrounding forest. It is essentially downhill out of Forrest and then uphill back. The end of the trail is not much – but there are other trails to continue on and do a loop back to town. I would recommend this ride to families with young children, as the trail surface is good and wide. The most interesting section is over the river and the bridges. Don’t miss the 101 mile post.

Background Information

Construction of the branch line to Forrest begun in 1889 and was completed at a cost of 96,000 pounds. It was opened to Deans Marsh on December 19, 1889 and to Forrest on June 5, 1891. The line was used by tourists bound for the coastal resorts of Lorne and Apollo Bay. The Forrest line was closed in 1957. The Railway to Warrnambool runs through Birregurra, hence the station where the Forrest line branched from is still there.

Tiger Rail Trail Feasibility Study Update

Posted: 06/10/21

In 2014 the Colac Otway Shire completed investigations into the feasibility and construction of the ‘Tiger ...

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Tiger Rail Trail Feasibility Study

Posted: 14/06/14

Consultants have been examining the former railway corridor to see if a trail between Birregurra ...

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Fundraising Concert for the Tiger Trail (VIC)

Posted: 26/01/13

Time: 12.30 pm to 4pm Date: Sunday 10th February 2013 Venue: Gosling Creek Winery Address: 495 Murroon Road, ...

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Tiger Trail Officially Opens (VIC)

Posted: 06/06/11

Correction: The original posting of this news article implied the entire length of the trail ...

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Funding for Forrest (Vic) Rail Trail

Posted: 11/08/09

A grant has been made available for the Rail Trail which will connect Forrest with ...

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