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.

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.


One of the wonderful things about our trail is that it will be equally enjoyable no matter which direction 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).
P.S. Take a peek at some of the views you’ll experience with photographs by Mick Evans in Views From The Trail gallery below.



Places and stories
What’s in a name? A lot, we reckon. Stories and names have a lot of power. It’s been shown worldwide that a trail’s success has as much to do with the experiences they create as the routes they traverse. Which is why we’re thinking already about “storytelling” well before our trail even starts construction.
Volunteer with us
Want to join an imaginative, energetic and well-organised crew? Want to deploy your talents and just a slice of your time to make a difference? Want to meet other interesting people and make an impact in your community? Of course you do! Help us build a social movement. CMRT needs volunteers just like you!
Community Ambassadors
Our community ambassadors are having an impact in lots of places. From Maryborough to Yapeen, from Castlemaine to Newstead. We are connecting communities along the trail path to bring us closer together. We want each of our communities to have a voice for our trail.

NEWS
Your trail gets a big start
Woot! That’s a special boost even before our second birthday! Our trail took a really big step forward today with a $120,000 State Government tourism grant to complete a feasibility study and pre-design of a world class trail between Castlemaine and Maryborough. Work begins on the feasibility study soon.
Making Salumi at Home
We adore the epicurean highlights of Central Victoria. What better time than winter to think about curing or enjoying salumi? CMRT cured meat wranglers, Janice Simpson, Des Boucher and John Carruthers have rolled their sleeves up to bring you some genuine salumi magic from back garden to cellar.
Cycling Without Age comes to Castlemaine and Maldon
Campbells Creek cycling advocate Penny Gilbert has been working with adults and kids across Central Victoria for years instilling a joy of cycling. Penny is now opening a new social frontier with Dutch-designed tri-shaws to bring the open trail to the elderly and people with a disability.
EVENTS
Out for a Spin…Book now
Out for a Spin is an afternoon of spoken words and song celebrating the trail-to-be from Maryborough to Castlemaine brought to you by CMRT as part of the Central Goldfield’s annual “Words in Winter” festival. Forsake the chilly open road, get inside, warm up, meet friends and enjoy the entertainment with us.
Crowd marks future trail with historic walk
More than 60 people made a historic walk to mark part of the future Castlemaine to Maryborough rail trail on Sunday. Mt Alexander Loddon Ward councillor Matt Driscoll unveiled a marker at Strangways. The historic marker declares that the old rail line will become a trail.
Bicycle Touring and eBikes Workshop…book now
Book now for our three-hour dive into bicycle touring and e-bikes on 20 June with Janice Simpson and Sandy Harman. The workshop is free and comes with valuable know-how. CMRT’s “Better on a Bike” series is running through Winter and is funded by the Central Goldfields Shire Council.
Volunteering
You make us feel valued and informed: CMRT Volunteers
Almost 20 CMRT volunteers shared their praise and feedback about working with us over two virtual roundtables in Autumn. The roundtables were made possible by a $2,000 community grant from the Mt Alexander Shire Council. They were backed by insights from Volunteering Victoria.
New volunteer roles: we want to hear from you
We’ve got several volunteer roles now open, and at least one that probably suits you. That’s why with a fresh nip in the morning air and the leaves turning, we’re launching our Autumn volunteer campaign. There’s lots of ways you can make a difference and get your trail built sooner.
Volunteers, sponsors recognised at AGM for the “true believers”
Ten volunteers and key sponsors were recognised at our inaugural AGM this week. More than 30 members attended the event. Outgoing President John Carruthers praised the “true believers”. “We’re on the cusp of the sweetest victory of all.’