The re-sheeting of the section of the rail trail between Illowa and Port Fairy has started. This will necessitate sections of the trail being closed to cyclists and walkers as the work progresses. Detour signage indicating the route around the closed section will be placed either end of the closed section as well as on the rail trail’s Facebook page.

The project is being managed by the Port Fairy to Warrnambool Rail Trail Committee of Management who are grateful to the Moyne Shire Council which provided $600,000 from its allocation of Local Road and Community Infrastructure funding.

The main sections of the trail are:

• Warrnambool to Koroit (20km) passes through wetlands on the edge of the Southern Ocean and skirts around Tower Hill Reserve
• Koroit to Port Fairy (18km) descends gently through farmland and native vegetation

Port Fairy, Warrnambool and Koroit all have a wide range of facilities.

Signage for the trail is deficient at the Warrnambool end

From Warrnambool to Illowa the trail does not follow the original alignment.

Horses are permitted beside the trail only between Commercial Rd (or the Penshurst/Warrnambool road), Koroit and Illowa, then down Illowa Rd to Millers Lane and on to Levys Point track. Horses are not permitted between Port Fairy and Koroit, or along the Merri Creek to Warrnambool.

Port Fairy to Koroit (18 km)

Due to the re-sheeting of the sections between the Princes Highway in Port Fairy and Koroit, this section will be progressively closed to all users, with detour signs in place. It is anticipated the work will commence in early July and be completed in early September.

• The trail starts at Regent St in Port Fairy and is sealed for 1.5 km as it leaves town.
• After crossing the Princes Hwy, the trail passes through farmland and skirts the northern side of an extinct volcano that last erupted around  25,000 years ago – now Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve. The crater is home to native animals and has many walking tracks.
• The old Koroit railway station and goods shed have been restored and a real feature, along with the playground and other facilities there.
• Koroit has refreshments and toilets.

Koroit to Warrnambool (20 km)

Due to the re-sheeting of the sections between the Koroit and Lanes Lane in Illowa, this section will be progressively closed to all users, with detour signs in place. It is anticipated the work will commence in early July and be completed in early September.

• The first 5 km travels southeast toward Princes Hwy, where an underpass has been built. At Lanes Lane, just before the highway, you travel west along the lane to the underpass

The next 9km passes through the Kellys swamp wetlands toward Levys Point. Riders should check for any floodwaters after heavy rain

• As you pass beneath the highway you travel along Illowa Rd, which has been fenced to provide separation from traffic, and turn right into Millers Lane
• At the top of the lane the path continues on the right side of the horse-riding school, and downhill across the boardwalk over Kellys Swamp
• The trail continues on a dirt road past the knackery to Levys Point
• The last section winds 6 km along Merri River to the breakwater in Warrnambool
• The section between Illowa and Warrnambool is not on the original railway alignment. Signage is minimal
• The pedestrian and bicycle crossing across the railway line at the Warrnambool trailhead is closed. For access to Warrnambool CBD or to the rail trail from Warrnambool Station, detour via Pertobe Rd or Harris St. Neither route is cycle friendly, and user groups are lobbying Victrack to reopen the crossing.