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’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).



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NEWS
AGM celebrates milestone
CMRT celebrated entering its third operating year with an AGM in Newstead on 25 November. The event was attended by 31 members who heard CMRT President thank CMRT’s sponsors, and the two councils who joined CMRT in its successful bid for Victorian Government funding of a feasibility study.
Joyces Creek ‘Atlantis’ deep
The Moolort Plains and its environs are a jewel in our trail’s crown. The plains had a fiery past and later became a food bowl. Since white settlement, places on the plains have risen – and then like Atlantis – disappeared into the watery deeps. Joyce’s Creek scientist and CMRT member, Steve Harrisson, uncovers the story.
How the north was won
We reveal how the Bendigo line got to be. And if you use the line today, take note that like all shoot outs, it was a close run thing. The “battle of the lines” formed part of CMRT’s David Tuck and and Lee Fenton’s historical son et lumiere at the 2022 Words in Winter literary festival in Maryborough and nailed the zeitgeist.
EVENTS
Make history: Guildford Strangways walk…booked out
100 lucky participants will make history on 22 May with this special 9km walk to explore the path of the future Castlemaine to Maryborough rail trail. This heritage walk through Dja Dja Wurrung country is a partnership of CMRT and the GDTA and will help mark where our trail began.
Safe Riding Sessions 11 April…booked out
Book now for one of our three 2.5-hour safe cycling sessions on 11 April in Maryborough with Stephen Taylor. The sessions are free; and you’ll learn lots. Sessions are capped at 12 participants. CMRT’s “Better on a Bike” series runs through Winter and is funded by the Central Goldfields Shire Council.
Bicycle Maintenance 17 March…booked out
Last bookings for our 17 March three-hour deep-dive into practical bicycle maintenance in Maryborough. Workshop is free; lunch included. Numbers are limited to 12. CMRT’s ” Better on a Bike” workshops are running through Winter and are 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.’