Location:
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Public Transport:
Suitable for:- Rail Trail
- On Road
- Potential Rail Trail
- Other Trail
- Former Railway
- Rail Trail
- On Road
- Potential RT
- Other Trail
- Former Railway
- The proposed trail runs between Bungendore and Captains Flat. It is 36 km long, making it ideal for day trippers and locals.
- Fine rural scenery
- Bungendore is a popular weekend destination
- A safe, healthy, and environmentally friendly recreation asset for residents and visitors
- Business and employment opportunities
- Opportunity to offer refreshments at Hoskinstown and to revitalise Captains Flat
Nearby Attractions
- Canberra city is nearby
- The countryside in this area offers fine rural scenery.
- The township of Bungendore is a popular weekend destination
- Captains Flat has a significant mining history
Last updated: 21 November 2022
This rail trail is not yet open. It is one of 17 potential Rail Trails in NSW
Bungendore has many facilities including art and woodworks galleries. Captains Flat has much mining infrastructure still in place making it an attractive destination as the end point.
The Captains Flat train station, now privately owned, retains its name board. The station yard (0.5 km away) is also largely intact. The elevated loading bin was demolished in 2010.
Section Guides
Bungendore to Captains Flat (36km)
This trail would run through undulating countryside. There will be a few road crossings to negotiate, most on quiet rural roads.
Railway Bridge over Molonglo River (Feb 2018)
Railway Crossing near Bungendore (Feb 2018)
The Platform at Captains Flat (Feb 2018)
Old turntable at Captains Flat (Feb 2018)
Bungendore Station (2009)
Captains Flat area (2009)
Captains Flat Station (2009)
Hoskintown (2009)
The bridge over the Molonglo River (2009)
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.
The Molonglo Rail Trail Friends Group website is here
Contact Rail Trails Australia
To contact us about this rail trail, email nsw@railtrails.org.au
Background Information
Traditional owners
We acknowledge the Ngunawal and Ngarigo 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 groups are hoping to develop this former branch line, part of which follows the Molonglo River.
Interest has been renewed since 2014 after Rail Trails for NSW began lobbying the State Government to allow development of rail trails on abandoned government rail lines.
A feasibility study was completed in November 2019, with an appendix including letters of support.
The study demonstrates that the trail is not only feasible, but would also provide significant economic, health, educational, environmental and social benefits to local communities and boost active tourism, generating a significant increase in visitor numbers.
Rail line history
The line only operated from 1940 to 1968, though it was used briefly during the making of the 1970 Ned Kelly movie starring Mick Jagger.
The Captains Flat station had a 63 m curved island platform between the arrival and departure roads. There was also an engine run-around line and turntable, water tank and ash pit. Beyond the station area was a yard where nearby mines would load lead, zinc, copper, pyrite, silver and gold ore. An elevated loading ramp sat over the main line, with a goods shed on the adjacent siding.
Nearby Trails
Yass Rail Trail
280 km southwest of Sydney, in the southern NSW tablelands
Monaro Rail Trail
300km South West of Sydney, and only 16 km from Canberra
Goulburn to Crookwell Rail Trail
195km southwest of Sydney, in the Southern Tablelands
Batlow – Tumut Rail Trail
400 km southwest of Sydney
Nearby Trails
Yass Rail Trail
280 km southwest of Sydney, in the southern NSW tablelands
Monaro Rail Trail
300km South West of Sydney, and only 16 km from Canberra
Goulburn to Crookwell Rail Trail
195km southwest of Sydney, in the Southern Tablelands
Batlow – Tumut Rail Trail
400 km southwest of Sydney
4 reviews of “Molonglo (Bungendore to Captains Flat) Rail Trail”
Businesses put at risk? With over 1000kms of Victorian rail trails there have been no reports of adverse biosecurity effects on adjoining landholders. NSW rail trails approval process requires a biosecurity risk assessment and the risks to be addressed. We support better schools, roads, weed and feral animal control and rail trails as they have a net positive benefit. Businesses in Bungendore and Captains Flat stand to benefit, just as businesses in Rosewood and Tumbarumba have – four new businesses since the rail trail opened in April. Locals use it – the Rosewood counter showed 2116 people in the first 8 weeks when Covid travel restrictions confined the trail to locals. When restrictions are lifted walkers and bike riders from all over Australia will visit and enjoy it. And the photo shows Foxlow bridge, on the Captains Flat line.
The local community who this who this rail trail will reportedly benefit do not support the establishment of this rail trail.
Significant funding would be needed and it would put at risk numerous small business collectively worth millions.
We would rather our state government taxes and council rates be spent on a local high school, roads, weed and feral animal control, not entertainment for Canberrans.
(PS the bridge shown in the picture is part of the live rail line between Goulburn and Canberra – which it is illegal for the general public to be on ….)
Update – the local rail trail group has completed a trail feasibility study and is now renewing its request to Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council to fund the trail development plan. There is a good article in the Canberra Times newspaper on 23 Feb 2020.
Sadly it looks like nothing has happened since 2014 – this is 2017.