This is not your standard rail trail as the line was a timber tramway. You can expect mud and fallen trees in winter. Then there’s the snakes and flying mountain bike riders in summer. Road base rock has been used in places, which may cause punctures.

Access points

• At Collins Siding, the start of the trail is not signposted. Travelling along Moe-Walhalla Rd (C466), watch for Telbit Rd on the left (also signposted to Caringal Scout Camp) 23km from Moe and 2km before Erica. The trail begins 200m past Telbit Rd, just after Collins Siding’s last house. There is space for some off-road parking but it’s not recommended in winter, when you should use Old Government Rd or park at the Erica MTB Park western trail hub 1km closer to Erica
• If starting from Telbit Crossing, look for a “Tyers Junction Rail Trail” sign where the tramway crossed the road

Collins Siding-Telbit Crossing (7km)

Note: Only 7km of the rail trail, from Collins Siding to Telbit Crossing, is open. What remains of the rest of the railway corridor is not maintained. You can create a loop walk/ride by returning up Telbit Rd to Collins Siding

• From Collins Siding, follow the trail downhill through mountain ash forest to Telbit Crossing
• The trail crosses creeks where tramway bridges used to be. The one at John Creek has had major work to handle Forest Fire Management vehicles
• The trail meanders through forest and tree ferns
• Common heath is in bloom in late winter and spring
• Look and listen for lyrebirds, kookaburras and fan-tailed cuckoos
• You may also see swamp wallabies, koalas and spiny anteaters
• The trail passes farmland to the east before crossing Middle Creek and passing a Finns Tk branch on the right
• After climbing to Telbit Crossing, where there was a sweeping curve at Telbit Rd, the rail reserve enters private land

EXPLORER ROUTE (3km)

• You can ride down the gravel road to Tyers Junction. The surface is well maintained but that’s for the logging trucks so keep an eye out for warning signs
• There are sections of the rail alignment below the road and then an extended section above the road on the right which is being maintained by trailbikes
• On the way, look for the remains of Christies Bridge
• Enjoy one of the walking tracks or a picnic by the river before returning to Collins Siding via Telbit Rd or ride back up the trail
• There is camping available to the public at Caringal Scout Camp