Name: The Bunny Rail Trail
Rating: 2

Map Legend:

Rail Trail
On Road
Potential Rail Trail
Other Trail
former Railway

Why visit the The Bunny Rail Trail?

This trail follows a short section of the former East Ballarat – Buninyong railway (Bunny).

Five hundred metres east of the old Ballarat East station site (the platform is still there), there is evidence of the line diverging from the main line to head south towards Buninyong. A gravel path wends its way from the station site to the start of the trail. The trail passes under Victoria St, and there is an historic sign board at street level on the south side of the main street.

The trail continues through a cutting, across a road (with rails still in the road), alongside a caravan park to the trail end. Here there is another historic sign board at the north edge of the Eureka Centre car park.

Nearby Attractions

This very short trail is suitable for a stroll, with the Eureka Centre as the destination.

Trail Guide

Last updated: 23 July 2022

Walkers and cyclists can enjoy a 13km loop taking in the small section of rail trail that is currently open from the Eureka Centre in Ballarat East.

More information on the loop, describing historical features of the former railway. is available at two PDF documents provided by the Friends of the Canadian Creek Corridor.

Download Part 1 here.

Download Part 2 here.

Photo Gallery

Start of trail, north side of Victoria St. (2011)

Riding through underpass. (2011)

South side of Victoria St underpass. (2011)

Along the trail (2011)

Heading south to the Eureka Centre [2016]

Towards the end of trail. (2011)

Trail sign no. 1

Trail sign no. 2

Eureka centre [2016]

Cutting, north of Elizabeth St [Garry Long 2020]

One of several historical culverts at Buninyong, this one at Forest St [Garry Long 2020]

The old Buningyong station site [Garry Long 2020]

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Reviews

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2 reviews of “The Bunny Rail Trail”

I agree with the last comment. The trail is still in good condition but way too short.

I quickly rode this trail today (29th December 2014), on the way home from doing the Domino Trail – so I could tick it off the list. This is a very short trail that basically goes from the rail reserve on the main train line of Ballarat to the Eureka Centre. The trail surface is good compact dirt most of the way, and easy handle hybrid (and even road bikes if needed). The most interesting part is when the trail goes under the rail lines and the main road. However, with no plans to extend it – I can’t see this trail being used by anyone apart from the locals, and those attempting to do all of the rail trails.

Further Information

Information and Links

If you find any defects with this trail contact Ballarat City Council (03) 5320 5500

Contact Rail Trails Australia

To contact us about this rail trail, email vic@railtrails.org.au

Background Information

This trail was a branch line from East Ballarat to Buninyong and ran for 11km. It opened in 1889 and closed in 1986.

The section from Eureka to Buninyong closed much earlier on 2 February 1947. ]The line had previously closed to passenger services in 1930. In addition to passenger traffic, the “Bunny” also brought the goods trucks to the many local Buninyong industries of that time. The main ones were the butter factory, tannery, brewery, box factory and market gardens.

At the Buninyong end the platform can still be seen in Forest Rd, where there is a board commemorating the history of the railway line.

There are no plans to extend this trail to Buninyong at this time.

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