The Poorpa Yanyeen Meerreeng (12 Apostles) Timboon – Port Campbell Trail is one of contrasts.  It starts in quintessential bushland rainforest (the highlight of the Camperdown to Timboon Rail Trail), ends with one of the best views on the Great Ocean Road and spends much of the 20 kilometres reminding you this is dairy farming country (notwithstanding the odd camel!) .

The pièce de résistance is without doubt the 117m cantilevered boardwalk that overlooks Port Campbell harbour.    This alone is worth the trip to southwest Victoria and is approximately three clicks from the end of the ride.  I holidayed in Port Campbell as a kid and had memories of a sleepy coastal town.  Heading into the final leg, I was expecting a nostalgic wave, but shades of Anglesea meets Wye River were present as we freewheeled through the main street.   Port Campbell has grown up.  Very appealing!

There are no forgotten tracks of rail on this ride.  The extension of the rail line to Port Campbell from Timboon was knocked back in 1916.  Even today, extensions of the bus route are still being rejected due to forecast usage.   The trail is, by and large, a well groomed farm track, following the Timboon-Peterborough, N S (ten points for originality) and Curdievale – Port Campbell Roads.   Teasing views of the Southern Ocean present themselves about 15 k’s into the ride.  At this point, there is a joyful descent on the track.  Any photos should be taken before slipping down the hill, because you certainly pick up the pace along this section.

This north-south version of the trail is mostly downhill and is suited to all styles of bikes.    For those that love gentle climbs, there is a punchy crest in the last kilometre entering into Port Campbell and you ascend the first three kilometres out of Timboon, which is perfect as you soak up the ambience of temperate rainforest on a trail of eucalypt leaf litter.   After completing the Camperdown – Timboon trail and experiencing this one, it struck me how unusual Timboon is, being built on the side of a hill.  The Walhalla of the southwest – just as picturesque, but without the gold!!!

Looking forward to this trail being extended to Loch Ard Gorge, the Twelve Apostles, Gibson Steps and onto Princetown.   I’ll definitely be back.  Now, where to next?