Length: 134km
Duration: 8 days
Grade: 3
Style: One Way
Start: Tallarook
End: Mansfield / Alexandra

Location: Northern Victoria
Closest Town: Tallarook
Distance from CBD: 102km
State: VIC
Latitude: -37.08761068
Longitude: 145.1122209

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2WD Access

4WD Access

Public Transport

Bitumen Road

Gravel Road

Steep Road

Winding Road

Speed Bumps

Vehicle Ford

Entry Fee

Large Car Park

Small Car Park

Accessible Parking

Accessible Toilet

Public Toilets

Drinking Water

Untreated Water

Picnic Shelter

Picnic Table

BBQ Facilities

Campfire Pit

Camping Area

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Northern Victoria...

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Concrete Path

Timber Boardwalk

Gravel Path

Sandy Trail

Rough Trail

Undefined Trail

Prams & Strollers

Manual Wheelchair

Motorised Wheelchair

Bicycle Trail

Mountain Bike Trail

Historic Rail Trail

Dog Friendly

Urban Walk

Coast & Beach

Historic Lighthouse

Waterfalls & Lakes

Rainforest Walk

Goldfields & Mining

Heritage Walk

Aboriginal Art

Alpine Region

Alpine Huts

Exposed Ledges

Rock Scrambling

Steep Terrain

Bush Bashing

River Crossings

Scenic Viewpoints

Well Marked

Drinking Water

Untreated Water

Fishing Spots

Swimming Spots

Overnight Campsites

Trail Running

Horse Riding

The Great Victorian Rail Trail is a 134km, grade 3 one way hike, located in Northern Victoria, Victoria. The hike should take approximately 8 days to complete.

Hike Summary

The Great Victorian Rail Trail is a multi-use trail and can be explored on foot, bike or horse. This easily accessible, varied and unique rail trail offers close proximity to heritage classified rivers, majestic valleys, lakes and mountains.

Formerly known as the Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail, this is a high standard rail trail traversing undulating farmland.

From riverside wandering, to High Country hiking, the Rail Trail offers many different kinds of walking experiences.
Short walks, long walks and overnight walks are all recommended. The trail has a gentle walking gradient, but there is a good climb on the Cathkin to Alexandra section of the trail. Car parks are spaced along the trail for easy pick up and drop off at the beginning and end of your walk.

Walking is one of the best ways to see the local fauna and flora and changing landscape. The Tallarook section has shady woodland sections with the Goulburn River meandering close by. Open farmland is a feature of the trail, with vibrant birdlife in the Yea Wetlands and the Mansfield Mullum Wetlands. If you turn off at Cathkin the rolling hills and a hearty climb bring bring you to Alexandra. The approach to Mansfield takes you through Bonnie Doon and over Lake Eildon with views of Victoria’s High Country and Mount Buller in the distance.

Yea to Cathkin Trail

Facilities

Toilets are available at several locations on the trail. Public toilets are also available in the local towns. Several shelters with tables and seats are also available along the trail.

BBQs are available at Tallarook, Yea, Alexandra, Bonnie Doon and Mansfield.

Please carry food and water while on the trail. Read up on the trail's safety information and code of conduct.

Yea to Cathkin Facilities

About the region

Aside from being a scenic fourney through rolling farmland, tunnels and lakes, the Great Victorian Rail Trail is rich with stories from its past lives.

For more information, visit the Great Victorian Rail Trail website.

Cathkin to Alexandra

Getting there

The trail can be accessed from many points. Several towns provide easy access with car parks, picnic facilities and toilets available.

The trail runs east from Tallarook, through the township of Yea to Mansfield. Tallarook is only 100 kilometres from Melbourne, just off the Hume Freeway.

Alexandra, at the junction of the Goulburn Valley and Maroondah Highways is 138 kilometres from Melbourne. The Alexandra spur line is 13 kilometres long and joins the main trail at Cathkin.

Mansfield is approximately 192 kilometres from Melbourne at the eastern end of the trail. It is a popular starting point for both single and multi-day trips.

For more information, visit the Great Victorian Rail Trail website.

Yea to Cathkin Rail Trail

Tips

Features the only tunnel on a rail trail in Victoria and a long bridge across Lake Eildon.
Almost all of the bridges have been made trafficable and the few low level crossings are easily graded.
There are several crossings of major rural highways.
The surface is either a bitumised granite, which is suitable for wheel chairs and prams, and compacted gravel which may not be suitable for wheel chairs and prams in sections. Where possible a separate bridle path is provided for horses.

Tunnel on a rail trail in Victoria