The Great Victorian Rail Trail

Full Trail: 134km between Tallarook and Mansfield, Victoria
Hiked Trail:16.5km between Molesworth and Yea (including Yea Wetlands)
Grade: Mostly flat
Hiked Ascent: 100m approx
Track: Chert or grantic sand
Condition: Section hiked in March 2015 had undergone a recent upgrade. The track was in good condition and the bridges were new.
Highlights: Cheviot Tunnel (201m tunnel)
Other: Shared pedestrian-cyclist pathway

Map: Great Victorian Rail Trail website

The Great Victorian Rail Trail is a pleasant and easy walk or bike ride through the Victorian countryside which can be completed either in its entirety or in sections. It can be accessed from towns along the original train line and at various intersecting roads.  Toilets are available on the trail in at least some sections.

The trail between Molesworth and Yea made the perfect first day hike for the year. Being in less than optimal hiking condition, I had no difficulty maintaining the group's approximate 5kph. Although, it would have been easier had I not assisted a friend relocate house from Melbourne to Geelong for 9 hours the day before. 

The track was approximately 2m in width with farm land set a little back on either side. Near Molesworth were three very friendly ponies who came running up to our group, tails streaming out behind, eager to be petted. This was also where we saw the most cyclists, it still being only around 11:30 on a sunny Sunday morning. We did not see any horse riders, who are able to use the trail also, but horse tracks and manure were visible on the trail. No motorbike tracks were seen and they are not permitted.

Cattle and sheep populated the adjoining farmland. At a couple of points there were fences with gates across the trail where the stock crossed between paddocks on either side but these were open when we passed through and would only be closed when the stock were in the actual process of being moved from one paddock, across the track and into another paddock directly opposite.   

The Cheviot Tunnel was the highlight of the hike as well as our lunch spot. Located approximately halfway into our hike and only 5km from Yea, it had originally enabled trains to pass beneath the Black Range at McLoughlins Gap. The 201m tunnel had been constructed using approximately 675,000 handmade clay bricks sourced from Quinlan's pit to the west.  Four safety alcoves continue to be located on its inner eastern wall which we did not know to look for at the time.  The tunnel is accessible by foot or bike only with a car park located nearby on the Yea side. 

The were a significant number of European wasps in and around Yea. Wasps will travel 0.5km for food and in February and March, seek protein to feed their larvae. No one was stung but the wasps did appear to be attracted to our day packs and were a bit of a nuisance.

The Yea Wetlands are located off the main street. The adjoining resource/information centre appeared quite new although we did not stay long to look. The wetlands were rather dry in mid March and by the time we arrived the easier hiking group (who hiked only 11.5km) had walked through,  so few birds remained easily visible: only a couple of parakeets, water hens and an ibis.

Cafes were available in the main street for a coffee or something sweet after the hike.

History of the Great Victorian Rail Trail:
1882 - 1891 Survey and construction of the railway between Tallarook and Mansfield
1909 Alexandria branch added to the railway
1977 Last train passenger service
1978 Line formally closed
2004 - 2006 Work commenced on the Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail
2011 Final sections of the trail completed
2012 Official opening of the Great Victorian Rail Trail