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Friends of the Bendigo-Kilmore Rail Trail
Linking central Victoria via the old railway line
O’Keefe Rail Trail – What did you think?
Posted by on Nov 22, 2016
The City of Greater Bendigo Council and the Friends of the Bendigo-Kilmore Rail Trail are keen to gain valuable feedback from users of the O’Keefe Rail Trail. A survey has been set up seeking feedback from those who have recently used the whole or sections of this trail.
Were you a visitor to Axedale, Bendigo or Heathcote specifically to experience the O’Keefe trail over one or more days? While also enjoying the trail, did you visit other attractions in the area, such as Heathcote wineries, Bendigo wineries, cafe-restaurants-hotels like the Axedale Tavern, rode on a ‘Talking Tram‘, or shared time with family and friends? You may live in the local community, and use the trail on a regular basis, so your input will also be welcomed.
Your feedback will assist the trail’s improvements and ongoing trail development, as well as other local linked off-road trails and facilities. All such information will also help the marketing of outdoor recreation and other related attractions.
O’Keefe Rail Trail feedback survey sign. Photo: Garry Long
There are feedback signs located at various locations along the trail, which include a QR code (reader app required) and stating a html link. Or the survey can be accessed via other web pages such as Bendigo Tourism, Heathcote Tourism, City of Greater Bendigo, Rail Trails Australia, and the Friends of the Bendigo Kilmore Rail Trail.
O’Keefe Rail Trail feedback survey request. Photo: Garry Long
So either while out on the trail, or later when relaxing from the experience, please take the short survey: www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/okeefetrailsurvey
Friends of the Bendigo-Kilmore Rail Trail 
As locals to the area we have found the trail to be a huge disappointment! It’s supposed to be for all in the community & yet you have made it inaccessible for horse riders for large sections of the trail. We understand the need for stock grids however, this could be easily overcome by placing (spring loaded – maybe) gates in these places for horse access.
It is unfortunate Kez that you have this view of the trail. It is not this community volunteer group that “….have made it inaccessible for horse riders for large sections of the trail.” The City of Greater Bendigo Council is the trail manager. There is approximately 15% of the total length of the trail that has stock grids associated with private/managed land. There are legal agreements in place to allow the trail and its users to have access to this private/managed land, and it is understood that such agreements do in part relate to certain infrastructure like stock grids. Public road options are easily accessible for horse riders, where stock grids exist on those sections of the trail.