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- When built, the Goulburn to Crookwell Rail Trail will offer a high-quality 57 km trail through some of NSW’s best rural countryside, linking the historic regional city of Goulburn with the village of Crookwell.
- Two hours by car or train southwest of Sydney and an hour north of Canberra, Goulburn is the ideal site for the head of this proposed rail trail.
- The trail will cross the Wollondilly River near Goulburn on a steel lattice bridge, and rises from 630m to 980m as it crosses the Great Dividing Range on its way inland.
An interim proposal (early 2023) will use the first 10km of the rail corridor from Goulburn to provide a new walking and cycling pathway, linking Goulburn CBD and existing riverside paths to the initial section of the rail trail.
Nearby Attractions
- Goulburn is a major inland regional city and offers a variety of tourist attractions including a large Rail Heritage Centre and the Big Merino monument
- Crookwell is a centre for agriculture and farming and hosts an annual potato festival; it has many accommodation options
- Other Southern Tablelands attractions nearby include the historic towns of Braidwood, Yass and Gunning
Last updated: 28 October 2023
This Trail is not developed – It is one of 17 potential rail trails in NSW
The trail will run for 57 km through rolling hills and farmland. Access in the Goulburn area will be at Grafton St at the northern end of the CBD – close to where the Crookwell railway line branched off the main southern line, just before the main southern line passes over the Mulwaree River.
The main intermediate point on the rail trail is at Woodhouselee; at the time of writing no shops or services are available there.
The station building and railway yards at Crookwell are intact but there are few other constructed remnants along the corridor.
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 rail trail is not yet open.
Shared use path alongside the Mulwarre river in Goulburn that goes under the impressive brick arch bridge carrying the Sydney railway line, with the original 19th century bridge supports in the background. This is proposed to be the start of the rail trail
![The Wollondilly River bridge at Goulburn. Goulburn has an impressive network of high quality shared paths along the rivers to link with the future rail trail [2023]](https://www.railtrails.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/N33-050-Wollondilly-River-bridge-Goulburn-2023-10-21_125123-300x169.jpg)
The Wollondilly River bridge at Goulburn. Goulburn has an impressive network of high quality shared paths along the rivers to link with the future rail trail [2023]
![Woodhouselee [2018]](https://www.railtrails.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/N33-156-Woodhouselee-P1030408-2018-02-300x169.jpg)
Woodhouselee [2018]
![Crookwell railway station is well maintained by the heritage railway group who plan to run trolleys a few kilometres out of town [2023]](https://www.railtrails.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/N33-300-Crookwell-station-2023-10-21_135536-300x169.jpg)
Crookwell railway station is well maintained by the heritage railway group who plan to run trolleys a few kilometres out of town [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
For further information or to get involved, see:
- Friends of the Goulburn Crookwell Rail Trail https://www.facebook.com/FGCRT
- Goulburn Crookwell Rail Trail Inc: www.gcrt.org.au
Contact Rail Trails Australia
To contact us about this rail trail, email nsw@railtrails.org.au
Background Information
Traditional owners
We acknowledge the Gundungarra 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 advocates for the Goulburn to Crookwell rail trail have been working for many years to bring this rail trail to life for the benefit of the greater Goulburn and Upper Lachlan economic regions.
The trail has the support of both regional councils on the corridor and is under active consideration by the Department of Regional NSW. There has been extensive research into the economic and community benefits of developing this trail, the closest to Sydney of such a length.
Rail line history
The 57 km line from Goulburn opened in 1902 and was built at the urging of local farmers, who needed a reliable way to get produce to market. The terrain around the line is hilly and local roads were frequently cut during bad weather, creating the need for more reliable transport.
During its lifetime the line carried passengers, stock, general goods, iron ore and superphosphate. By the 1970s traffic had declined considerably, and by the mid-1980s the line was unprofitable. The last train ran in August 1985.
Another line branched off the Crookwell line from Roslyn to Taralga: this section closed in 1957.
Southern NSW Rail Trails Making Progress
Posted: 28/10/23
What is the situation with numerous rail trail proposals in the southern highlands of NSW? ...
More...Goulburn rail trail a step closer
Posted: 28/09/23
Plans for a rail trail in the NSW regional city of Goulburn are a step ...
More...Progress on Goulburn and Batlow Rail Trails
Posted: 12/02/23
Two proposed significant New South Wales rail trails have recently received funding for updated feasibility ...
More...Show your support for the proposed Goulburn – Crookwell Rail Trail in NSW
Posted: 27/10/21
The Goulburn - Crookwell Rail Trail planning stages are now complete, and the trail is ...
More...Nearby Trails
Yass Rail Trail
280 km southwest of Sydney, in the southern NSW tablelands
Box Vale Tramway Trail
110 km south-west of Sydney, in the Southern Highlands
5 km
Boorowa Galong Rail Trail
330 km southwest of Sydney
Molonglo (Bungendore to Captains Flat) Rail Trail
270 km South of Sydney
Pioneer Rail Trail Oberon
180 km west of Sydney
6 km
Mt Kembla Memorial Pathway
100 km south of Sydney
2 km
Nearby Trails
Yass Rail Trail
280 km southwest of Sydney, in the southern NSW tablelands
Box Vale Tramway Trail
110 km south-west of Sydney, in the Southern Highlands
5 km
Boorowa Galong Rail Trail
330 km southwest of Sydney
Molonglo (Bungendore to Captains Flat) Rail Trail
270 km South of Sydney
Pioneer Rail Trail Oberon
180 km west of Sydney
6 km
Mt Kembla Memorial Pathway
100 km south of Sydney
2 km
One review of “Goulburn to Crookwell Rail Trail”
This is a major potential rail trail for NSW, located around 2 hours by car from most Sydney suburbs. With both regional councils in support and much of the planning work done, hopefully finance will be approved to bring this long-disused rail corridor to life as a significant regional asset.