Location:
Length:
Surface:
Start / End:
Public Transport:
Suitable for:
Map Legend:
- Rail Trail
- On Road
- Potential Rail Trail
- Other Trail
- former Railway
Mainly one for those interested in history. The trail is a marked on- and off-road heritage route following a private railway that ran just one train in 1888.
Nearby Attractions
The council has installed quite ornate interpretive signs along the route in the footpaths.
Last updated: 17 November 2021
The trail beside the railway line at Oakleigh (2005)
In between Ormond and Elsternwick (2011)
The trail is sign posted on roads (2005)
A significant percentage is on road though signposted (2005)
Information and Links
The responsible body is the City of Glen Eira who have produced a very informative brochure (see links below).
The Arts and Culture team provides community information for the Rosstown Rail Trail, brochure link here
To report any maintenance issues, please email mail@gleneira.vic.gov.au or call 9524 3333
Contact Rail Trails Australia
To contact us about this rail trail, email vic@railtrails.org.au
Background Information
Traditional Owners
We acknowledge the Woiworung people, the traditional custodians of the land and waterways on which the rail trail is built.
Railway history
The Rosstown Rail Trail charts the original course of the private line which was the life long dream of William Murray Ross. He built the line with the intention of transporting sugar beet to his sugar beet mill, and the refined product to the Port of Melbourne. From start to finish, the railway line was plagued with problems ranging from a lack of funds to construction delays. When the mill failed to begin production, the line fell into disrepair without being used, and it was eventually dismantled, with the land being sold.
However we observe the contribution of one entrepreneur who made the City and its surrounds what it is today.
3 reviews of “Rosstown Railway Heritage Trail”
January 2020 by RCAS: a pleasant enough ride, but starting from Oakleigh Station we found the signage inadequate and confusing. Indeed, riding east to west, we did not see a clear Rosstown Railway Heritage Trail sign until the corner of Rosanna and Lascelles Streets. From there on, the ride was reasonably straightforward; but whoever is responsible for the Oakleigh half appears to be discouraging cyclists.
10/27. Rosstown Railway Heritage Trail done. Number 10 and the 1st urban Railtrail completed on my quest to ride every one in my 30th anniversary of my liver transplant. This former railroad with an interesting history only ever had 1 train use it, and I will do the same as there is no reason why anyone would want to come back and do it again. It is generally on-road, mainly on quiet suburban streets through City of GlenEeira but with numerous main road crossings. I had a few issues with the signage, but I took the map from the RailTrails booklet and that helped. I didn’t notice a beginning or end either. Tick! Move on. 8km.
I rode this trail yesterday (April 26th 2015) from Hughesdale to Elsternwick and back. I really enjoyed it. I was surprised that it is so well signed posted – was expecting minimal signage, but it was completely the opposite. It was very hard to get lost on this trail. Only one confusing part was going under the Frankston trail line to E E Gunn Reserve. Going through the backstreets of Ormond, Caulfield South and Carnegie was really interesting – parts of Melbourne I rarely visit. The biggest issue I had was all of the parked cars on both sides of the roads meant in places only a single line of traffic could get through – especially in Dover St and Oakleigh Rd – so I was forced to wait for cars to go through. However, car drivers didn’t show me the same courtesy and there were a number of times I was forced into parked cars when 4WD drivers though they could squeeze through at the same time without waiting to let me pass.