Wineries, galleries, peaceful rural and sea views and fine beaches combine to make this a great trail for a day trip or weekend visit. The bottom section from Merricks is popular with horse riders and partly does not follow the original alignment - so it's steeper than a typical rail trail. The trail is managed by the Mornington Peninsula shire.
Cycle or walk up the trail from Merricks and return on-road visiting wineries, galleries or beaches on the way back.
Continue towards Arthurs Seat, following more off-road bike path.
Like so many other Victorian railways, the line to Red Hill was built after a long campaign by local people, beginning in the 1880s. Opened in 1912 as a branch from Bittern on the Stony Point line, it mainly carried fruit such as apples, pears and strawberries to market in Melbourne. Six hundred people gathered to greet the first steam train climbing the steep 1 in 30 gradient to Red Hill.
However, as roads were improved, the train timetable was soon reduced to one train a week. The line was closed in 1953 after only 32 years of operation. The rest of the former railway land between Bittern and Merricks is now in private ownership but may perhaps be restored to public access one day.
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.
Merricks to Red Hill in Melbourne Region
Mornington Peninsula, 90km from Melbourne
Compacted earth, Coarse gravel
Hilly
Photo credit: Rail Trails Australia. For more information and a location map please visit RailTrails Australia.
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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.
The Mornington Peninsula is only an hour's drive from Melbourne, but it seems a world away. In fact, the peninsula now has an air that's reminiscent of the Mediterranean, with its vineyards and olive groves, its historic country house retreats and intimate hotels. You can travel the length of our coastlines, stopping at our seaside villages, or just meander back and forth from one coast to the other on country roads with glorious views.
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.
