• The main sections of the trail are:
• Camperdown to Cobden (18km) is on-road for 11km, before becoming a dedicated rail trail at Naroghid Rd
• Cobden to Timboon (23km) passes pleasant farmland and goes through scenic bush
• The trail is primarily constructed of compacted earth and coarse gravel. It is littered with bench seats, tables and interpretive signs
• Five low-level bridges between Merretts Rd and Curdies River have steep approaches and are in the process of replacement, with three to go
• Distance markers are located at 1km intervals. In an emergency, call 000 or 112 and quote the distance from the marker nearest to you (eg Cobden 4km)
• The shuttle service is available from numerous points along the two trails. Refer to the GET AROUND tab below for details

Horse riding is prohibited on one section of the rail trail  

Camperdown to Naroghid (11km)

• Camperdown is a major town with tree-lined avenues, botanic gardens and two volcanic lakes. It has a wide range of accommodation, dining options and services
• If you are arriving by train, an on-road route is signposted from the Camperdown Railway Station to the start of the rail trail proper on Naroghid Rd, where there is off-street parking
• The signposted on-road route along Fenton St, Park Lane and Sadlers Rd offers some nice views, but involves two steep hills courtesy of the volcanic lakes it passes. An alternative, flatter route means some time on Camperdown-Cobden Rd (C164), which has no shoulder and no signs to the trail
• There are no toilets at the trailhead but Lake Bullen Merri Recreation Reserve nearby has them, and BBQ facilities

Naroghid to Cobden (7km)

• From the Naroghid Rd car park, it’s 200m south to a reproduction station shelter and picnic area
• The trail now heads through scenic farmland to Cobden. Often your progress will be closely monitored by herds of curious cows
• At Cobden, the path continues on the railway easement through the local golf course but you have to navigate the driving range before reaching the safety of the trees. Horse riders must detour along Bond St and past the technical school
• Cobden is a pleasant town in the heart of dairy country. Stop at the Cobden Golf Club’s bistro or Thommos Hotel, for a classic pub lunch. Enjoy a ride on the Cobden Miniature Railway trains or play a round at Cobden Mini Golf.
• Camping by donation is available near the golf course on Bond St (see map) and at pretty Lake Elingamite
• There’s a 4km walking trail called Circuit de Savage along Bond, Grayland and Neylon streets which have solar lighting for time-poor walkers and runners

Cobden to Glenfyne (11km)

• The trail leaves the railway alignment after the golf course, as the station area is now an industrial estate
• Follow the signs past the CFA shed, right along the shared path on Neylon St (Camberdown-Timboon Rd) and right again on Grayland St near the Fonterra factory. The trail resumes on the left behind the Hewitt and Whitty farm supplies store
• Prepare for several major road crossings. The trail runs beside Cobden-Warrnambool Rd for most of this section, crossing that road a couple of times before Glenfyne

Glenfyne to Curdies River (7km)

• If starting here, there is parking available at Glenfyne Public Hall, on Cobden-Warrnambool Rd, but leave your cars outside the fence in winter
• There are BBQ facilities and tank water available, but not for washing horses
• After Merretts Rd there is a scenic section through dense bush along Limestone Creek that still has some rails and sleepers in place
• Five low-level bridges were built by volunteers across the creek to bypass the rotting originals. The first two, #11 and #12, have been replaced with galvanised steel ones and two more are to be done next year (2024) but the trail is narrow and muddy in parts after heavy rain. Some people may prefer to avoid it
• This section has very high conservation values. The giant yellow-bellied glider possum, white goshawks and powerful owls live here. Wallabies, kangaroos and koalas are commonly seen along the trail. Rare plants, including lime ferns, are another highlight.
• This section is only suitable for walkers and mountain bike riders and is difficult after heavy rain

Horses are not permitted on the section from Bridges 11 to 15, after Merretts Rd

Cyclists are strongly advised to dismount for the old bridges and their approaches, especially in winter

Curdies River to Timboon (5km)

• Parking is available near the old platform on the southern side of the trestle bridge. There is a station shed and trail maps may be available there.
• The bridge has undergone restoration but the decking can be very slippery in winter. From here, the trail passes through bush and farmland to the Timboon railyard, where the station office remains in place. Conveniences are around the corner to the left, in Bailey St
• This town is a bit of a surprise, with numerous shops and cafes for provisions and meals, a supermarket, ice creamery, berry farm and cheese factories. A boutique whiskey distillery has been established in the old goods shed with meals also available

Explorer Route (20km)

• Construction of the Twelve Apostles Trail from Timboon to Port Campbell is nearly finished. You can already walk as far as Port Campbell via a swing bridge but can only ride as far as the lookout carpark on the Great Ocean Rd