Rail trails are shared-use paths recycled from abandoned railway corridors. They can be used for walking, cycling and horse riding.
Where are rail trails?
There are now rail trails all around Australia and in other countries too. Rail trails link big and small country towns and meander through scenic countryside just as railways did in the past.
What are they like?
Most trails have a gravel or dirt surface suitable for walking, mountain bikes and horses. Some are sealed and are great for touring bikes too.
Following the route of the railways, they cut through hills, under roads, over embankments and across gullies and creeks. Apart from being great places to walk, cycle or horse ride, rail trails are linear conservation corridors protecting native plants and animals. They often link remnant vegetation in farming areas and contain valuable flora and fauna habitat. Wineries and other attractions are near many trails as well as B&B’s and other great places to stay.
Are the rails still there?
The rails are usually removed when a railway is closed, but remnants of the past such as railway cuttings and bridges still remain.
Map View Rail Trails
Adelaide Hills Amy Gillett Rail Trail (16km)
Adelaide Hills Amy Gillett Rail Trail is a 16km, grade 2 one way hike, located in Regional South Australia, South Australia. The hike should take approximately 5hrs to complete.
Atherton Tablelands Rail Trail (14km)
Atherton Tablelands Rail Trail is a 14km, grade 3 one way hike, located in North Queensland, Queensland. The hike should take approximately 4hrs to complete.
Awaba – Wangi Wangi Rail Trail (10km)
Awaba - Wangi Wangi Rail Trail is a 10km, grade 3 one way hike, located in Newcastle Area, New South Wales. The hike should take approximately 3hrs to complete.
Ballarat – Skipton Rail Trail (56km)
Ballarat - Skipton Rail Trail is a 56km, grade 3 one way hike, located in Western Victoria, Victoria. The hike should take approximately 3 days to complete.
Bass Coast Rail Trail (21.8km)
Bass Coast Rail Trail is a 21.8km, grade 2 one way hike, located in Gippsland, Victoria. The hike should take approximately 6hrs to complete.
Bass Coast Walk and Rail Trail (21.8km)
Bass Coast Walk and Rail Trail is a 21.8km, grade 2 one way hike, located in Bass Coast, Victoria. The hike should take approximately 6hrs to complete.
Belgrave Railway Trail (12.5km)
Belgrave Railway Trail is a 12.5km, grade 3 one way hike, located in Melbourne Region, Victoria. The hike should take approximately 4hrs to complete.
Bellarine Rail Trail (32.5km)
Bellarine Rail Trail is a 32.5km, grade 3 one way hike, located in Melbourne Region, Victoria. The hike should take approximately 2 days to complete.
Bellarine Rail Trail (35 km)
Bellarine Rail Trail is a 35km, grade 2 one way hike, located in Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria. The hike should take approximately 8-9hrs to complete.
Bethania to Beaudesert Rail Trail (43km)
Bethania to Beaudesert Rail Trail is a 43km, grade 3 one way hike, located in South East Queensland, Queensland. The hike should take approximately 2 days to complete.
Birregurra – Forrest ‘Tiger’ Rail Trail (7km)
Birregurra - Forrest 'Tiger' Rail Trail is a 7km, grade 3 one way hike, located in Western Victoria, Victoria. The hike should take approximately 2hrs to complete.
Blue Mount and Mount Wilson (27.7km)
Blue Mount and Mount Wilson is a 27.7km, grade 3 circuit hike, located in Wombat State Forest, Victoria. The hike should take approximately 7hrs to complete.
Boolboonda Railtrail & Tunnel (3km)
Boolboonda Railtrail & Tunnel is a 3km, grade 2 one way hike, located in South East Queensland, Queensland. The hike should take approximately 1hr to complete.
Box Vale Tramway Trail (4.5km)
Box Vale Tramway Trail is a 4.5km, grade 2 one way hike, located in Country NSW and ACT, New South Wales. The hike should take approximately 2hrs to complete.
Brisbane Valley Rail Trail (133km)
Brisbane Valley Rail Trail is a 133km, grade 3 one way hike, located in South East Queensland, Queensland. The hike should take approximately 8 days to complete.
Broken Hill to Silverton (25km)
Broken Hill to Silverton is a 25km, grade 3 one way hike, located in Country NSW and ACT, New South Wales. The hike should take approximately 8hrs to complete.
Buderim Tramway Heritage Trail (2km)
Buderim Tramway Heritage Trail is a 2km, grade 3 one way hike, located in South East Queensland, Queensland. The hike should take approximately 30 mins to complete.
Bungendore to Captains Flat (36km)
Bungendore to Captains Flat is a 36km, grade 2 one way hike, located in Country NSW and ACT, New South Wales. The hike should take approximately 2 days to complete.
Caboolture – Wamuran & Loop Rail Trail (6km)
Caboolture - Wamuran & Loop Rail Trail is a 6km, grade 3 one way hike, located in South East Queensland, Queensland. The hike should take approximately 2hrs to complete.
Camperdown to Timboon (40km)
Camperdown to Timboon is a 40km, grade 2 one way hike, located in Western Victoria, Victoria. The hike should take approximately 2 days to complete.
Canungra Tramway Tunnel (1km)
Canungra Tramway Tunnel is a 1km, grade 3 one way hike, located in South East Queensland, Queensland. The hike should take approximately 30 mins to complete.
Capricorn Coast Pineapple Rail Trail (4.5km)
Capricorn Coast Pineapple Rail Trail is a 4.5km, grade 2 one way hike, located in South East Queensland, Queensland. The hike should take approximately 2hrs to complete.
Carnarvon Tramway (3km)
Carnarvon Tramway is a 3km, grade 2 circuit hike, located in Regional Western Australia. The hike should take approximately 1hr to complete.
Castlemaine to Maldon Trail (18km)
Castlemaine to Maldon Trail is a 18km, grade 2 one way hike, located in Western Victoria, Victoria. The hike should take approximately 5hrs to complete.
9 thoughts on “Rail Trails”
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Sadly NSW is the exception. Many people in NSW are working to convince the State Govt to develop just some of the 3100 klms of long dead rural rail routes into what could easily be some of the worlds best and most spectacular rail trails. But we need to convince the govt to act.
#nswtourism #ruraldevelopment
About to take my third rail trail trip to Victoria.
Catch up NSW. Not only tourist dollars but health benefits for your residents and voters.
Happy that you are doing this for “The Country”. Go cous111
Is there any in queensland?.
I believe so. Very soon I will be adding all rail trails to my site.
#greatsouthernrailtrail
Nicolas Russ
I think that we should all celebrate rail trails, I have many pleasant memories of of these gifts from times gone by.