All Aboard!!   The Camperdown to Timboon Rail Trail.   The most authentic rail trail in Victoria and the quirkiest!!!  What starts off as a traditional Aussie bush track, rolls into the real deal.  Yes, you cycle for kilometers between the rails, feeling the sleepers beneath you.   On a wet day like the day we did it, the damp allowed headlights to shine brightly; like a vintage locomotive trundling between the dark temperate forest eucalypts lighting the way, creating an atmosphere of nostalgia that is difficult to find on most rail trails.

Departing from Naroghid is the go, as you are the beneficiary of a mostly downhill run.  Only the last few k’s are uphill as you climb into Timboon, which isn’t bad over a 30 km stretch.   This ride oozes recreational, as there are plenty of rest stops provided by the sheds stationed at Naroghid, Elingamite, Glenfyne, Brucknell and Curdie along they way.

Did I mention quirky.  I don’t know any other rail trail that goes smack bang through the middle of a golf course; but this is the one.  When I say middle, I mean middle.  You hit the course at the 9th Hole and cycle up hill and down dale as it winds out the back of Cobden.  You are well protected by trees and more likely to come across some local fauna than be hit by a ball.  “Four!”.

The spectacular section through the temperate rain forest commences at a little over 20 kms in.   Five kilometers of cyclocross action gets you off the bike to traverse the many bridges that span Limestone Creek leading down to the Curdies River.   This is not a path for your road bike and be prepared to get some mud on your shoes as you navigate the gullies.

You are presented with the magnificent 1892 Timboon Trestle Bridge when you eventually (unfortunately)  surface from the dense bush.  Rare.  On many other rail trails you don’t get to ride across the original bridges.  They are in various states of disrepair.  Consequently, you are generally steered around or under them, or find they have been replaced by modern metal structures.   This was a privilege.

The site of the old Curdie Railway Station marks the beginning of roughly four kms of gentle climbing into the old timber town of Timboon.  What a majestic journey!  We may have started off with a puncture and finished a bit wet,  but I’d definitely be putting this on your bucket list of rail trails to do in Victoria.  Look out for the next adventure when we continue onto Port Campbell via the 12 Apostles Trail.  Choo choo!