Showered with unprecedented federal government funding, the 134km Tallarook to Mansfield Rail Trail is racing towards its target opening date of Christmas 2011. Arlen Keen takes a look at what’s already on offer.
Winter in the foothills of Victoria’s Alpine region, the air chilled and the smell of wood smoke taking over Mansfield’s main street, is more reminiscent of skiing than riding bikes. But with timelines tight to deliver Victoria’s biggest ever rail trail project by the end of 2011, this August was the time to open the first stage of the huge trail undertaking.
The first 12km section links Mansfield, the trail’s eventual eastern terminus, with the town of Maindample, at the junction of the Midland Link Highway. If the first section is anything to go by, the final completed trail will be a joy to ride. At a final distance of 134km between Tallarook (just south of Seymour on the Hume Highway) and Mansfield, and meandering through towns like Yea, Alexandra and Bonnie Doon, with plenty of other worthwhile stops along the way, this trail will offer enough riding and sightseeing to easily fill a long weekend trip and then some.
Along with the 134km shared bicycle, walking and bridle trail, 39 new bridges, seven new car parks and amenities, eight water tanks and 17 rest stops, and repairs to a further 29 bridges between Mansfield and Tallarook, will be undertaken as part of the plan.
As exciting as this grand vision of the trail is, I was focused on checking out what’s already there. After setting out from Mansfield’s award-winning visitor information centre at the restored railway station site just west of town, I quickly coasted into rolling green fields along a beautifully smooth and well built bit of trail. The visitor information centre provides a wealth of information on bike hire, local attractions and accommodation.
Mansfield and the surrounding areas are home to Victoria’s traditional cattlemen and rugged landscapes, made famous in the Man from Snowy River. In winter, Mount Buller and Mount Stirling have a variety of skiing terrains. In the warmer months, the Mount Buller’s snow runs turn into challenging downhill mountain bike courses, accessible by the Horse Hill Chairlift. The area also boasts excellent mountain biking trails, bushwalking and rock climbing. In the Mansfield town, there are several bike and adventure stores that have loads of information on the best tracks and adventures.
In the fine tradition of rail trails, the climbs on this route were barely noticeable. From afar the trail looks like it’s sealed in bitumen, but is actually a new kind of gravel topping called ‘shirt’. Even when riding, it’s hard to tell it’s not sealed. If that’s the standard for the rest of the trail, I’m in for a smooth, jar-free, riding treat.
Distracted by the spring lambs in the fields to my left, the dairy cows to my right and the views of Mount Buller and the Victorian Alps all around me, I pulled up at the Midland Highway well before expected.
I was keen to take a break at Maindample’s historic Bridge Inn hotel for a bit of refreshment, but was shocked to find a still-smoking heap of charred wood where the historic pub once stood – it had burned down only days previously. Unfortunately, I had to do without deserved refreshment, but other riders shouldn’t have the same problem by summer, when the trail is expected to be extended another 8km to Bonnie Doon, taking you over Victoria’s longest rail trail bridge, which spans an arm of Lake Eildon.
Also by summer, trail managers are planning to have a section open for use out between Yea and Homewood in time to take advantage of the Great Victorian Bike Ride rolling through for an overnight stop in early December.
While the first section that I did get to ride was great, I’m still licking my lips for what’s to come. The Cheviot tunnel east of Yea is a spectacular example of Victoria’s railway heritage and the trail is planned to run through more than 200 metres of the old tunnel, by far the longest experience of its kind. Make sure you take your lights!
Yea is the perfect first stop in the trail, sitting approximately a quarter of the way between Tallarook and Mansfield. It’s a similar distance from Alexandra for riders coming from that direction. With heaps of choice on the cafe and restaurant front, and what appears to be ample bedspace to fit all budgets, Yea should prove to be a popular overnight stop for future trail riders. I certainly would have stayed there if I was riding the whole trail. No shortage of refreshment stops either, which should thankfully insure any future trips against unexpected pub fires.
Location: Mansfield is approximately two hours drive north-east of Melbourne, via the Melba, Goulburn Valley and Maroondah highways
Distance: Completed trail is 12km. The proposed trail will be 134km, due to be completed at the end of 2011. For updated information on this trail, please visit Great Victorian Rail Trail
Scenery: Rural, farmland, remnant forest, townships
Key attractions: Mansfield and the surrounding High Country offers mountain biking, fishing and bushwalking in summer, and skiing and snow sports in winter.
More information: www.victorianrailtrails.com.au. The Mansfield Visitor Information Centre is also very helpful (1800 039 049).
Kind of bike: Any
Difficulty: Easy, suitable for all types of rider