Hike at a glance
Length
Duration
Difficulty
Trail type
Route details
Max elevation: 0m
Min elevation: 0m
Total Ascent: 0m
Check current conditions
Track conditions, access and closures can change quickly due to weather, fire, maintenance or safety concerns. Always check the relevant land manager’s website before you visit. Trail Hiking Australia does not provide real-time track and closure monitoring, and land managers remain the authoritative source for current alerts, closures and access restrictions.
About this trail
Trail difficulty
Uneven terrain and steady climbs
These walks require a reasonable level of fitness and confidence on rough ground. Expect hills, rough surfaces, and sections with steps or short, steeper climbs.
While not technically difficult, these tracks are no longer "easy" and can feel demanding over distance, especially in heat or with a pack. Some bushwalking experience is recommended, particularly for managing footing and pacing. Distances can extend up to 20km.
Worth knowing: Many hikers underestimate Grade 3 when conditions change or fatigue sets in.
Planning information
Preparation matters: Plan your overnight hike well and bring the right gear, weather-appropriate layers, food and plenty of water. Before you head out, read up on bushwalking safety and use this overnight hike planning guide to make sure you're ready. Need help getting started? Check out the full hike preparation guide.
Map and GPX file
Safety and preparation
Think safety first
Australian conditions can turn a small oversight into a serious situation faster than most walkers expect. The Hiking Safety Systems and planning calculators are designed to help you identify and close those gaps before you leave home. Work through the Interactive Safety Scenarios to see how incidents unfold, then use the tools to build your plan and make sure a trusted contact has your trip details before you head out.
Let someone know
Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take, and it only takes two minutes.
Heading somewhere remote, off-track or overnight? Use the comprehensive trip intentions form instead — your emergency contact will need more detail. Register your trip plan here →
Free checklists
Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.
Getting there and where to stay
Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here →
Accommodation nearby
Find hotels, cabins, and campgrounds near the trailhead. Click the button below to open an interactive map automatically centred on this hike's location — no searching required.
Or search accommodation in nearby towns: Binda, Bonnie Doon, Bungendore, Eildon, Goulburn, Jamieson, Mansfield, Marulan, Merrijig, Tarago, Yea
Explore the region
About the region
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Photo gallery
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Your photos can help others plan. Share shots from along the trail so fellow hikers know what to expect.
Weather on the trail
The map below shows the rain forecast for the trail area. Tap the toggle in the top right corner to explore other layers including wind, temperature, UV index, thunderstorms, fire danger, and weather warnings — all useful for planning a safe hike.
Trail Reviews
Notice something different about this trail?
Whether it’s a new feature, a route change, or a closure, share your update so we can keep our info accurate and helpful for fellow hikers.
Acknowledgement of Country
Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.
8 Reviews on “Goulburn to Crookwell Rail Trail (57km)”
Kelly Beahan-Smith one to add to the list when it gets done!
Lorna Cartwright Hliounakis for sure!
This’ll be fantastic once it’s completed!
Just a note: I’m well aware this is not open. As mentioned on the hike description, this is a proposed rail trail and is not yet open. It is one of the potential Rail Trails identified throughout NSW.
I am helping build awareness of the proposed trail to gain greater support for it.
This rail trail be great once it’s built but at the moment it doesn’t exist
Entry into disused rail corridors without a permit is illegal and may attract a fine. Also any insurance cover is not valid if one enters property illegally.
Paul McCann totally agree. I noted something similar at the start of the description… This rail trail is not yet open. The alignment is owned by Transport NSW and much of it passes through private property. Trespassing on the alignment is prohibited.
Trail Hiking Australia so it would be better if you only made posts promoting tracks and walks people can legally do. The same applies in closed areas of national parks. Important activities such as feral animal and weed control as well as repairs and upgrades to tracks can be disrupted if people enter a closed part of a national park.
Paul McCann just so you know. Years ago, I worked with Rail Trails Australia to list all the existing rail trails on my site. As part of that arrangement, I said I’d also be happy to list the proposed ones so that if people are interested in supporting the proposal, they can get in touch with them directly. It’s up to each individual to read descriptions and check for park closures before heading out and to abide by any closures in place.
Trail Hiking Australia I did the 10k section a few months ago, so you can legally do some of this. Looking forward to when the full 54k trail is open.
Samantha Herald glad you enjoyed the first little bit.
Trail Hiking Australia encouraging people on a carriage service to disregard the law is an offence.
Paul McCann I’m not sure where you are coming from. I’m not encouraging anything. I’m simply promoting a proposed trail in the hope it gets traction. The first 10ks of it is already open for people to enjoy. It’s pretty clear what is and what isn’t accessible at present.
Trail Hiking Australia yeah I’m confused too. Maybe he hasn’t read the post and is just reacting? Thanks for sharing it, hope the full trail opens soon.
Grant Hollingworth thanks mate. You’re possibly right.
Paul McCann Get over it. Clearly you are wrong. He isn’t encouraging anyone to walk the section of this trail that isn’t open yet.