Member’s Stories
A series of articles about the adventures of our members. Exploring rail trails and historical train travel.
Riding the Hauraki Rail Trail – North Island, New Zealand
The Hauraki Rail Trail is situated 1.5 hour’s drive south east from Auckland. It follows the course of a railway line that ceased operating in the 1980s. The main part of the trail is on attractive, mainly flat, farming countryside parallel to the hills of the...
CMRT Tackles The Great Southern Rail Trail.
Beginning in Nyora and ending at Port Albert, the Great Southern Trail winds its way through Gippsland’s rich rolling hills, open plains and bushland and through 14 small towns along its 130kms length. We tackled the trail in two days, beginning in Loch where we...
Ballarat to Maryborough along the Heritage Trail
Follow along as our intrepid President Janice tackles the rigors of the Ballarat to Maryborough Heritage Trail! Janice met up with two friends at the Ballarat railway station and attempted to find the head of the Heritage Trail. “This was not easy, but we got there...
The Riesling Trail: Interview with Steve and Sue Harrison
CMRT Committee member Steve Harrison and wife Sue had not been to the Clare Valley since 1989. They decided to go back and ride the 33km Riesling Trail from Clare to Auburn, and then on to the 22km Rattler Trail which continues south from Auburn along the same disused...
Family Memories of the Train Trip to Strangways
CMRT member Tim Cocking shares some family memories of the train service from 50 years ago. My Grandmother, Eleanor Pengelly, was the Post Mistress for the Strangways post office in the 1950’s, 60’s + 70’s. She made regular use of the train service to/from Newstead...
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.
Build it and they will come, says Deb Macer
We understand that government types want to see a trail feasibility study first. But for Maryborough CMRT volunteer and trail advocate, Deb Macer, the conclusion is simple: ‘Build it and they will come’. Especially to Maryborough. Rail access both ways is a real winner too.