Traditional owners

We acknowledge the Kaniyang and Wiilman people, the traditional custodians of the land and waterways on which the rail trail is constructed.

Development and future of the rail trail

The old rail form between the current western trailhead and Collie is currently the site of a major open cut coal mine. It is the intention that the trail will be extended through to Collie once mine operations cease, or that a cycle trail along Coalfields Hwy will be provided to provide a continuous trail between Collie and Darkan. East of Dardadine, there is also potential to extend the rail trail through to Williams and Narrogin.

Additionally, the Shire of West Arthur has identified the long-term potential of another rail trail between Bowelling and Duranillin and a spur trail to Hillman Nature Reserve.

Rail line history

Construction of the Collie-Narrogin Railway began in 1904 from Narrogin, with construction from Collie commencing two years later. The line was opened from Narrogin to Darkan in September 1906, with the whole line to Collie completed and operational by October 1908.

The line was primary used to transport timber, farm produce, livestock and grain, and also provided a passenger service before cars made the service redundant. The line operated through to 1979, with the railway sleepers removed in the early 1990s.

The Friends of Collie to Darkan Rail Trail Group was formed in 1999 to promote the creation of the trail. Construction of the trail between Buckingham and Darkan began in 2002 and opened in October 2005. It was extended from Darkan to Dardadine in 2017.