Blaze a trail with us!

 

We’re building overwhelming support for a new world-class recreational trail for all in Central Victoria.

 

Connecting communities

“From little things, big things grow.”
– Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody

Members, volunteers, supporters and friends. We are many, with one goal: to connect our communities along the proposed trail corridor.

Watch our story…

OUR PURPOSE

CMRT was founded to transform the 55km Castlemaine to Maryborough disused rail corridor into a world-class recreational trail. A trail that can be used by cyclists, walkers and horse-riders of all ages and abilities.

We want to connect communities, defend safe travel, encourage prosperity, look after the bush and tell amazing stories of place and people.

We use grassroots action to inspire communities and spur governments to lead the charge to establish a new trail in Central Victoria.

Our community outreach aims to rally people of all ages and backgrounds behind the idea of a trail. To build a trail, we need to build a movement.

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Dja Dja Wurrung and the Jaara Jaara people, the custodians and caretakers of this land through which the trail will pass. We thank them for the care they have taken of the country: the rivers, mountains, trees, and animals. We could like to honour this Country, the Elders of the past and present and most importantly the young, proud Aboriginal people, as they are  our leaders for tomorrow.

Our People

We are blessed with a growing crew of talented and energetic volunteers. We think you’re amazing. You help out organising, doing, creating and spreading the word. Come on, join us!

Our Members

You can shape our direction and make a difference. Membership has expectations too. We want our members to be actively involved. Volunteer or donate so we can campaign for you.

Our Sponsors

We simply couldn’t do this without you. From Maryborough to Castlemaine and every town in between, we’re humbled by the support we’re getting from our small business sponsors.

Our Partners

Big projects need good friends. Friends who can help show the way and frame standards. Friends who help us walk just a little taller. Thank you to our partner organisations.

One of the wonderful things about our trail is that it’ll be equally enjoyable no matter which end you start from!

Start at Maryborough and you can alight from one of Australia’s grandest old railway stations. Start at Castlemaine station and you will be right where the story of the goldfields began.

A powerful and unique feature of the trail is that it has a train line to Melbourne at both ends. Easy for local commuters; a magnet for eco-tourists.

If you start in Castlemaine, you can easily find good food and coffee and any last-minute necessities, then you’ll be off along the Campbells Creek Trail to Winters Flat where the disused part of the old train line begins and the Goldfields Steam Train blows it’s whistle and turns off towards Maldon.

Then the creek, the road, and the rail trail rolls down the valley past farms and houses to Guildford. You’ll be able to look down on the cars passing by as you are safe on the trail and can enjoy the view.

At Guildford, the line crosses the highway on a high bridge and leaves the road for a while, past the place where Campbells Creek joins the Loddon River, over another bridge, and now you’ll follow the Loddon River through bush and farmland, all the way to the old Newstead Station which is now an arts hub.

Soon after Newstead, you will ride across the spectacular Joyce’s Creek bridge, the longest of the trail, at the bottom of Lake Cairn Curran Reservoir. Then it’s a short climb up onto the volcanic Moolort Plains, with big skies, and world-recognised wetlands.

The rollicking downhill run past the Moolort Silos and into Carisbrook is a blast before heading into Maryborough and the truly magnificent Maryborough Station where you can enjoy a well-deserved milkshake (or other age-appropriate refreshing treats).

We’ve always envisaged our trail as something more than a gravel path linking two points. Our region is studded with natural and other attractions. That’s why we developed our Guide to the Trail to highlight some of our region’s many attractions, and help better tell our stories of people and place.

P.S. Take a peek at some of views you’ll get along the trail in the Views Along The Trail gallery below (photographs by Mick Evans).

Love the trail? Join in the chorus for change! Sign our petition, like us on social media and stay in touch. We know you care. And you want to be heard. And you’re busy. We get that. So, just make your mark, and hang out with us occasionally as a friend.

You want this rail trail! To explore, communte or for the kids to get to school. But don’t have the time to join and volunteer? We hear you. You can make a difference. Donate and help the volunteers working for you at the front-line. So we can campaign for you.

We love our members. You can shape our organisation. You can have your say and vote. We love our members. You help keep us strong. Membership is a great chance for you to get really involved, actively make a difference and to volunteer!

Our volunteers are impact members. You make a big difference. You choose your hours. You deliver our campaigns. You keep us going! You meet other wonderful people. And we will look after you. We can offer you a role, respect and special recognition.

Celebrating our region

Celebrating our region

We’ve always envisaged our trail as something more than a gravel path linking two points. Celebrating our region’s many attractions is a primary aim for our trail. Our region is studded with natural and other attractions. That’s why we developed our regional “Guide” to help tell our region’s stories of people and place.

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Feasibility study advocacy

Feasibility study advocacy

Is the rail trail a good idea? Sure, but how good? What are the tourism opportunities? What’s the economic and social impacts can it bring? How will it impact communities? How much will it cost? How should it be built? We’ve recently raised $150,000 for a study to thoroughly answer these questions and more.

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Community Ambassadors

Community Ambassadors

Welcome to our new community ambassadors! These special volunteers are already having a big impact: from Maryborough to Yapeen, from Castlemaine to Newstead. They are working to connect communities to bring us closer together. The best voice for our trail will be local.

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NEWS

Book today: Walking the past, glimpsing the future

Book today: Walking the past, glimpsing the future

Walk the path of our future rail trail. Experience the rich history and natural beauty of Maryborough to Carisbrook. This March 24, join us to walk the historic rail line from Maryborough to Carisbrook on Dja Dja Wurrung country. Lunch provided. Book your place today!

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Trail Dreaming: the High Country and Tumbarumba

Trail Dreaming: the High Country and Tumbarumba

CMRT members are getting frisky about the growth of rail trails around the country – for fun and inspiration. CMRT members Ken and Jennie Stewart rode the High Country and the Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trails in March. Greg James talks to the venturesome duo about the highlights.

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Feasibility study our biggest milestone yet

Feasibility study our biggest milestone yet

It’s a new dawn for Central Victoria. Today we released the expert report into your trail. It confirms the 60km disused rail corridor can be profitably repurposed as a world-class recreational trail that attracts tens of thousands of visitors a year and brings jobs and prosperity to our local communities.

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EVENTS

AGM 2023: Wed 22 Nov 6:00pm (for members)

AGM 2023: Wed 22 Nov 6:00pm (for members)

It’s been a high impact year, Trail Blazers. Our trail is now one very important step closer. A resoundingly positive feasibility study means we can really start rattling the tin in 2024! Our 2023 AGM in Newstead will bring us together to celebrate. CMRT members, secure your seat: book today.

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Feasibility study our biggest milestone yet

Feasibility study our biggest milestone yet

It’s a new dawn for Central Victoria. Today we released the expert report into your trail. It confirms the 60km disused rail corridor can be profitably repurposed as a world-class recreational trail that attracts tens of thousands of visitors a year and brings jobs and prosperity to our local communities.

read more

Volunteering

Avant gardener: keeping up with Jennie Stewart

Avant gardener: keeping up with Jennie Stewart

For CMRT volunteer, avant gardener and visual artist, Jennie Stewart, growing things is just what she does every day. John Carruthers managed to catch up with our energetic rep just long enough for a quick chat about her eclectic interests and CMRT’s fundraising challenge in 2024.

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It’s time, says Tony Macer

It’s time, says Tony Macer

On Australia Day Central Goldfields Shire recognised CMRT member Tony Macer as its Citizen of the Year. CMRT members know Tony as an amazing musicians and one of our most tireless volunteers. John Carruthers talks to Tony about community leadership, changing our national day and how the still waters can run deep.

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All we want for Christmas

All we want for Christmas

We’ll spare you Dasher, Dancer and Prancer. We’ll even skip that most downloaded Christmas pop song of all time…But only if you listen to our little Yuletide carol about volunteering…About making the next big leap to trail construction, and why we need more community talent. We hope that’s you!

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