The O’Keefe Rail Trail was once just a dream but, since it became a reality, the dream has kept getting bigger, as the Friends of the Bendigo-Kilmore Rail Trail and City of Greater Bendigo add new features to enhance the experience. Think of them as you ride, or walk, through forests and farmland and across the Campaspe River. The major sections are:

North Bendigo to Axedale (23 km): Takes you east away from the city through box ironbark and yellow gum woodland

Axedale to Heathcote (26 km): After crossing the Campaspe River, you enter Knowsley State Forest and then cross Lake Eppalock on a causeway

Access Points

• North Bendigo: Bendigo Creek Trail acts as an access path from the north-western end of Lake Weeroona. Parking next to Bendigo Rowing Club (Google: #34 Weeroona Ave)
• East Bendigo: Trail crosses Pratts Park Rd, with carpark on adjacent Rifle Range Rd
• Junortoun: Carpark left off Wilkie Rd, after bus shelter
• Longlea: Trail hub with carpark at Peppercorn Park off Longlea Lane
• Axedale: Parking near corner of High and Mitchell streets at Axedale Public Hall. Trail access via Shadford St
• Knowsley Forest: Near intersection of Toolleen-Axedale Rd and McIvor Hwy; this leads into Knowsley Forest near power transformer pole. Take care crossing McIvor Hwy
• Knowsley: Parking at Knowsley Recreation Centre, near where trail crosses Moorabbee Rd
• Derrinal: Trail hub opposite Derrinal Station site, off Old Bendigo Rd (parking on side of that road)
• Heathcote: Trail hub on Herriot St, opposite Station St; trailhead on Pink Cliffs Rd after Valli St

For public transport options, including bikes on buses, go to GET AROUND below and click on SHOW MORE if necessary

North Bendigo to Axedale (23 km)

• From Lake Weeroona, follow Bendigo Creek Trail north for 400m and turn right at rail trail signs
• Cross Napier St (Midland Hwy), using the pedestrian refuges to the right, and go through the brick culvert under the Bendigo-Echuca Line
• In East Bendigo, you’ll cross the last timber trestle being used and pass a Bendigo Bushland Trail access point and carpark on the left as you cross Pratts Park Rd
• At the 4 km point, the former Department of Defence Rangelea siding path goes straight ahead. Follow sign to the right to stay on rail trail
• Take care crossing McIvor Hwy near Bendigo Baptist Church at Junortoun, near where Strathfieldsaye Station was
• Longlea Station site, now called Peppercorn Park, scored a full-on trail hub in 2024 with two toilets, 16 car parks, picnic shelter and bike hoops courtesy of the City of Greater Bendigo. Make the most of it
• At 12 km is Axe Creek, with its relatively new “at-grade” bridge and spot for a picnic
• The trail passes the Axedale Station site and then diverts from the railway corridor to avoid golfers. The racecourse station site is on the right
• You follow an asphalt path into Axedale
• Axedale has a general store, cafe and tavern, while the trail hub has drinking water and a bike repair station

Axedale to Derrinal (17 km)

• Continue along roadside paths down to the Axedale River Reserve on the Campaspe River, where there are picnic tables and the “Platypus Compass” sculpture
• The trail uses a mural-covered underpass of the McIvor Hwy, then crosses a rail trail bridge, north of the highway one, over the Campaspe. The railway crossed further south
• The trail meets the former highway, now quiet Ingham Rd. Follow this up the hill back to the rail corridor
• Take care crossing McIvor Hwy near Toolleen-Axedale Rd
• The trail now enters Knowsley State Forest. In the forest is the Smart Track Day Visitor Area, about 800m north-east from the rail trail along Smart Tk. This area has toilets, a shelter with gas BBQs and picnic tables and an interpretive sign/sculpture.
• After reaching Railway Line Dam, the trail returns to the rail corridor. Take care crossing the cattle grids on private land
• After Knowsley, the trail climbs Moorabbee Hill where picnic tables and bike racks provide an opportunity to relax and enjoy views of the Cobaw Range.
• The trail continues on to Lake Eppalock, which flooded the original railway alignment. A causeway and 90m Mt Ida Creek Bridge allow the trail to stay where the railway was. There is another picnic area on the causeway giving views of the lake.
• There is a rest area and replica station name board for Derrinal but the actual station site is on private property on other side of the highway.

NOTE: Trail users should respect all privately owned land. 

Derrinal to Heathcote (9 km)

• The trail shadows McIvor Hwy before entering One Eye State Forest near Hills Rd, Derrinal
• Between Mia Mia-Derrinal Rd and Burnt Tk, the easement had become a vehicle thoroughfare called Old Railway Reserve Rd and the forest is used by trailbikes, so take your pick
• The last trail bridge in One Eye forest sits on top of a section of the 1888 timber original but you need to be on the road to see it properly.
• The Heathcote trailhead is on Herriot St where there is a Lions Club shelter, information and dog park, but no toilets.
• The trail continues to Pink Cliffs Rd where there is a loop trail for those who want to take in the geological reserve
• The visitor information centre, on High St/Barrack St corner, provides trail information, toilets and parking.
• Heathcote is a medium-sized town with most facilities and good options for food, drink and accommodation.