Trails, Goldfields and Heritage Trains

It was the last day of winter, as cyclists gathered for the Friends of the Bendigo-Kilmore Rail Tail’s ‘Last Wednesday of the Month’ social ride. Selecting the 17.7km Castlemaine Maldon Trail for this ride, this is a trail that weaves its way through stunning natural surroundings while always within view of the historic Victorian Goldfields Railway.

Starting at the Castlemaine Railway station in cool conditions, the meandering Campbells Creek Trail linked the riders with the start of the Castlemaine Maldon Trail. Heading towards Maldon, elements of the railway’s infrastructure including the Muckleford Creek timber pile bridge and the Muckleford railway station were seen. Following recent heavy rainfall, there were a few challenges had along the way while navigating sections of water and soft trail conditions.

After a quick look around the station, it was back on the bikes heading for Maldon’s Kangaroo Hotel where lunch had been arranged. Cycling past the heritage Maldon railway station, the former Beehive Mine’s chimney and viewing the historic town’s street scapes, it was a country pub lunch that was next to be enjoyed by the six riders.

The return to Castlemaine ride plan had the options of either riding back along the trail or putting bikes on the steam loco hauled train to be immersed in early 20^th century heritage travel. Some of the more energetic riders from Bendigo chose another option, and rode from Maldon on roads back to Bendigo via Lockwood South.