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This proposed 29 km rail trail is located in a rural area, 35 minutes by car from Yass and about 90 minutes from Canberra. It features cuttings, curves and old timber bridges as it makes its way northeast from Galong toward Boorowa.
Boorowa, in the Hilltops tourism region, has many historic buildings. European settlement dates from the 1820s. Boorowa is known for its annual ‘running of the sheep’ festival. In the local indigenous language, boorowa means bird; the region has abundant bird life.
Galong township also features historic buildings and has the nearby St Clements Retreat, a historic monastery open to the public. The proposed rail trail passes within 500 m of St Clements, with easy access from the rail trail when built, or by road.
Latest updates on this rail trail:
Boorowa Galong Rail Trail Project Deemed Feasible
The Feasibility Study for the Boorowa Galong Rail Trail commissioned by the Boorowa Galong Rail Trail Inc committee was completed in November 2022 and concluded that the rail trail is a technically and economically viable project that would provide a major boost to the Hilltops region. The Feasibility Study concluded that the Boorowa Galong Rail Trail has the potential to increase the economic activity in the Hilltops region by $2.9 million/annum.
For a synopsis of the feasibility study visit: Boorowa Galong 2022-11 Rail Trail Feasibility Study Synopsis
Boorowa Galong Rail Trail supported by Hilltops Council
On 23 October 2024, Hilltops Council voted its support for the proposed Boorowa Galong Rail Trail, and further voted to submit details to support a lease on the Boorowa Galong rail corridor from Transport NSW.
Nearby Attractions
- Boorowa is a picturesque regional town offering a range of tourist attractions
- The Hilltops region has a lot to offer visitors – see links below
- St Clements Retreat near Galong is an ex-monastery open to the public
- The Boorowa Irish WoolFest is an annual event to celebrate ‘everything wool’ – see link below
Last updated: 28 November 2024
The trail will run for 29 km through rolling, partly wooded farmland. There will be a number of access points, including one near the Boorowa River bridge.
A trailhead is planned for McMahon Street in Galong. At the Boorowa end, the trail will end near the town’s golf course.
Important note: This rail trail is not yet open. The alignment is owned by Transport NSW and much of it passes through private property. Trespassing on the alignment is prohibited.
Section Guides
This trail is not yet open.
![The remains of Galong station on the Sydney Melbourne main line [2021]](https://www.railtrails.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/N34-050-Galong-Station-2021-06-300x225.jpg)
The remains of Galong station on the Sydney Melbourne main line [2021]
Royal Hotel building, Galong - now a private residence
St Clements, near Galong
![The dilapidated timber bridge over the Boorowa River [2023]](https://www.railtrails.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/N34-050-Boorowa-River-Bridge-2023-09-300x164.jpg)
The dilapidated timber bridge over the Boorowa River [2023]
![Lake near Boorowa [2023]](https://www.railtrails.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/N34-100-Boorowa-Lake-2023-09-300x92.jpg)
Lake near Boorowa [2023]
Bridge and turntable near Boorowa
![Old turntable to turn locomotives at Boorowa [2023]](https://www.railtrails.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/N34-100-Boorowa-Turntable-2023-09-300x115.jpg)
Old turntable to turn locomotives at Boorowa [2023]
Do you know of a bike hire or transportation service on this rail trail that should appear here? If so, let us know at admin@railtrails.org.au.
Information and Links
This Trail is a proposed Rail Trail only at this stage. It is not yet constructed or open.
The railway corridor is owned by the NSW State Government, and trespassing is prohibited.
To contact us about this trail, Email or click here ns*@ra********.au
For further information:
- About tourism in Boorowa and the surrounding region: https://www.visithilltopsregion.com.au/
- About the Boorowa railway line: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boorowa_railway_line
- About the Boorowa Wool Fest: https://irishwoolfest.com.au/
Contact Rail Trails Australia
To contact us about this rail trail, email nsw@railtrails.org.au
Background Information
Traditional owners
We acknowledge the Ngunawal people, the traditional custodians of the land and waterways on which the rail trail will be built.
Development and future of the rail trail
Local community advocates for the Boorowa to Galong rail trail are working to bring this trail on a long-abandoned government rail corridor to life for the benefit of local businesses.
The group is aiming to build on the success of the Tumbarumba to Rosewood rail trail, which has seen a number of new businesses opened in the Tumbarumba region since the rail trail opened in 2020.
Rail line history
The Galong to Boorowa railway line opened in October 1914, as a branch of the main Southern NSW railway. The line was used mainly to transport livestock and produce. Passenger services were closed in 1974.
There are now few remnants of the railway infrastructure, though the corridor and rails are visible in many places. Most timber bridges are still in place, and the turntable and water stand are still at the Boorowa end.
Development Plan Completed for Boorowa to Galong Rail Trail
Posted: 24/04/24
The Feasibility Study for the Boorowa to Galong Rail Trail (BGRT) in south west NSW ...
More...Boorowa to Galong Rail Trail Moving Forward
Posted: 07/11/23
The committee for Boorowa to Galong Rail Trail Inc has made a significant leap towards ...
More...Boorowa Galong Rail Trail seeks support for development plan
Posted: 16/07/23
The Boorowa Galong Rail Trail Committee has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for ...
More...Boorowa – Galong feasibility study going ahead
Posted: 20/06/22
The Boorowa to Galong Rail Trail group in south-western NSW has obtained funding to conduct ...
More...Show your support for the proposed Boorowa Galong (NSW) Rail Trail
Posted: 08/12/21
The dilapidated timber bridge over the Boorowa River ...
More...Another potential rail trail in New South Wales
Posted: 17/06/21
Following the successful rail trails forum in Tumbarumba in April 2021, another potential rail trail has ...
More...Nearby Trails
Yass Rail Trail
280 km southwest of Sydney, in the southern NSW tablelands
Greenethorpe to Grenfell Rail Trail
430km West of Sydney
Murrumbidgee Valley Rail Trail
380 km southwest of Sydney
Goulburn to Crookwell Rail Trail
195km southwest of Sydney, in the Southern Tablelands
Cowra to Eugowra Rail Trail
300 km West of Sydney
Batlow – Tumut Rail Trail
400 km southwest of Sydney
Nearby Trails
Yass Rail Trail
280 km southwest of Sydney, in the southern NSW tablelands
Greenethorpe to Grenfell Rail Trail
430km West of Sydney
Murrumbidgee Valley Rail Trail
380 km southwest of Sydney
Goulburn to Crookwell Rail Trail
195km southwest of Sydney, in the Southern Tablelands
Cowra to Eugowra Rail Trail
300 km West of Sydney
Batlow – Tumut Rail Trail
400 km southwest of Sydney
2 reviews of “Boorowa Galong Rail Trail”
This would be a beautiful ride as the country is stunning, and its a good distance for a rail trail, and very well located for Canberra and Sydney enthusiasts. NSW needs more trails like this! Great for tourism in the area, and the people of NSW.
Great potential rail trail, well-located for both Sydney and Canberra regions.
Still in the early stages of planning and development.