Port Fairy - Warrnambool Rail Trail (37km), Western Victoria, Victoria

Port Fairy - Warrnambool Rail Trail is a 37km, grade 2 hike located in the Western Victoria, Victoria. The hike should take around 2 days to complete.

Length: 37km

Duration: 2 days

Grade: 2

Style: One Way

Start: Port Fairy

End: Warrnambool

Location: Western Victoria

Closest town: Port Fairy

Victoria

From state capital: 260km

Longitude: 142.2381723

Latitude: -38.38137529

Hike summary

Horses are permitted beside the trail only between Commercial Road (or Penshurst/WarrnamboolRd), Koroit and Illowa, then down Illowa Rd to Millers Lane and on to Levys Point track. This means horses are not permitted between Port Fairy and Koroit, or along the Merri Creek to Warrnambool.

The trail starts at Regent St in Port Fairy and ends at the Warrnambool foreshore promenade.
After leaving Port Fairy it skirts the northern side of a 25,000 year old extinct volcano, now the Tower Hill State Game Reserve. The crater is home to native animals and has many walking tracks.
From the Highway to Warrnambool the trail does not follow the original alignment.
The signage for the trail is deficient at the Warrnambool end.

Illowa - Underpass on the Princes Hwy. Park in Lanes Lane

Warrnambool - The trail starts at the Breakwater but is not well signposted. Alternately start where the Merri Creek intersects with Roxburgh Close

Route and GPX file

This hike is missing a route map and GPX file. If you have one for this hike, please upload your .gpx or .kml file here.

Upload GPX file

Trail Features

Gravel Path
Bicycle Trail
Rail Trail

Tips

Port Fairy to Warrnambool in Western Victoria

260km south west of Melbourne

Compacted earth, Coarse gravel, Fine gravel, Sealed

Flat and undulating

Photo credit: Rail Trails Australia. For more information and a location map please visit RailTrails Australia.

Gear you might need

As well as including the Ten Essentials, my planning, food and packing checklists provide an summary of things to consider on your day, overnight and multi-day hikes. Every person and every hike is different, so customise your kit according to your needs. Download your free checklists here >>

Location

Getting there

Get directions

Let someone know before you go

It’s a good idea to let someone know where you’re going. Fill in a trip intention form to send important details about your trip to your emergency contact. If you are lost or require help and have phone reception, call 000 and ask for police. The international standard emergency number is 112, if you dial this number in Australia you will be treated exactly the same as a 000 call. If you believe your life is at risk, activate your personal locator beacon (PLB), then make your position visible to rescue teams and keep warm and dry.

Weather

Gallery

If you have any great photos from this hike and are happy to share them, please upload your .jpg files here.

Please note: Uploading photos does not transfer ownership of copyright away from you. If requested, you will be credited for any photos you provide and can ask they be deleted at any time.

Upload photos

Hikes you might like

Let someone know before you go. Register your trip intentions here. Your trip intentions will be emailed to your emergency contact.

Suggest an edit

Does this hike info need updating? maybe the route, features or access conditions have changed? Suggest an edit here.

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.

Preparing to Hike | Hiking Safety | Hiking Skills | Hike Navigation | Hacks and Tips