Blaze a trail with us!

 

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

 

CAMPAIGNS

Broiler Farm Threat to Rail Trail  – Update

Broiler Farm Threat to Rail Trail – Update

Update 9th September The Central Goldfields Shire Council are now in Caretaker Mode due to the upcoming Shire Elections. As the result there will be no major planning decisions made in the near future. Furthermore the Shire is looking for a new CEO, this process is...

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NEWS

Grant for $400,000 – Successful!

Grant for $400,000 – Successful!

CMRT has been awarded a Victorian Government Enabling Tourism Fund grant of $400,000 to complete the pre-construction stage of the rail trail. Mt Alexander and Central Goldfields Shires have pledged $40,000 each to co-fund the grant, and our wonderful supporters and...

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Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Line 150th Birthday

Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Line 150th Birthday

On Sunday 7th July 2024 we  cerebrated 150 years since regular train services began on the Moolort Railway Line (Castlemaine to Maryborough) on 7th July 1874. Construction of the line commenced with the first sod turning ceremony at Castlemaine on the 7th Sept 1872....

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The Next Chapter

The Next Chapter

We have begun the next chapter!

Immediately prior to Easter we applied to the Victorian Government’s Enabling Tourism Fund (ETF) for $400,000 to complete the next stage of the trail, the Pre-Construction Stage.

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EVENTS

AGM and Celebration

AGM and Celebration

Save the date: Wednesday 13th November 2024 Newstead Red Shed (old Railway Goods Shed) 6pm, followed by a BBQ celebration of our Year to Remember! Members Only, ticketing Information to follow

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Walk the Line – Moolort – Postponed

Walk the Line – Moolort – Postponed

Walk the Line - Moolort has been postponed until March 2025.     CMRT is organising a track walk following the section of our proposed trail from the Moolort Silos at the old Moolort Station and Bald Hill Road. More information regarding times, parking,...

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Official Announcement of CMRT’s Grant Award

Official Announcement of CMRT’s Grant Award

Join us for the official announcement of our receipt of the $400,000 Enabling Tourism Fund Grant from the Victorian Government Date and Time: Monday 2nd September 2024 at 11.00 am. Where: The Arts Hub at the former Newstead Railway Station, Newstead. CMRT President,...

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     Watch our video… “What if we made a rail Trail?”

The Rail Trail Project

The proposed 55km Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail is a $35m, multi-year project. It has been instigated and driven by the Committee, members and supporters of the Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail Inc in association with the Mount Alexander Shire Council, Central Goldfields Shire Council, State Government of Victoria and the Australian Federal Government. The Project has been planned to proceed in three well designed Stages and currently is in Stage Two of its development. The Victorian Government has recently announced that CMRT has been sucessful in its grant application for the funding for Stage Two.

Stage one

Stage One was completed in August 2023 with the publication of the Feasibility Study. —-

Stage Two

We are currently in Stage Two; The Pre-Construction Phase. —–

Stage Three

Stage Three is the Construction Phase.——–

The Trail Experience

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 south end 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 sealed 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. Click on the button below (photographs by Mick Evans and Ken Stewart)..

Towns Along the Trail

History

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.

About CMRT

C.M.R.T. Inc 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

Our Members Stories

A series of articles about the adventures of our members. Exploring rail trails and historical train travel.

Our Backers

You’ve got our back. We simply couldn’t do this without you. From Maryborough to Castlemaine and across Australia, we’re humbled by the support we’re receiving from the community, business and government.

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.

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.

we’d love to hear from you!
email us at:

hello@cmrailtrail.org.au

Address:

Unit 6, 167-171 Railway St, Maryborough, VIC 3465

Follow the trail

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© Copyright – Castlemaine-Maryborough Rail Trail Inc | A0110387F