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.



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NEWS
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.
Two wheels groovy, two daughters tell their dad
We’re always a little humbled by all the wonderful people across the generations who say they can’t wait to ride our trail. Meet Barkers Creek dad, Calum Brydon . Calum talks about his two daughters, a purple low rider project, a shared love of the open trail – and how that keeps things fun.
Better on a Bike Workshops Develop Confidence
More than than 30 kids and adults from across Central Goldfields Shire developed new found confidence on two wheels thanks to our “Better on a Bike” workshop program. Safe riding and essential bike maintenance tips were on the syllabus. CMRT President Janice Simpson reports.
EVENTS
AGM 2021 7 Dec 6:45pm (Members only)
It’s been a tremendous year, Trail Blazers. In the past 16 months we’ve hit one milestone after another. Our 2021 Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Newstead is a chance for you to celebrate. Come along, have your say and vote in a new Committee for 2022. Book today to secure your seat!
Newstead on Show 3462 is ON…Join us Dec 5!
Newstead calls and we answer. We’ll be bringing a bit of hooplah to this fabulous town-on-the-trail for its Summer festival. This event showcases everything that sets this community apart – past, present and emerging. Visit CMRT’s stall and hear how we’re working to connect Newstead.
Volunteer RUOK check-ins to celebrate via Zoom
We’re flying, Trail Blazers. Butit’s been tough the past few months. Which is why we’d like to make up some lost ground and check in how you’re all going before we break for Xmas. Zoom’s a bit “Covid”, but it’s also pretty handy when we’re spread up to 50km apart.
Volunteering
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.
Thank you volunteers! We want to hear from you.
We love our volunteers! You keep us in the game. Pretty much everything we do depends on our volunteers. So, a big welcome to our new volunteers Lynden Courtney, Frank Kinnersley, Deb Macer and Dr Danielle Orr. You’re joining an amazing, committed crew.