Experience a Rail Trail—and the Ice Age

While riding or walking the O’Keefe Rail Trail, have you ever glanced at the adjacent scattered boulders in the Derrinal area and given little thought to how they came to rest there? It may surprise many trail users to learn that these boulders are glacial erratics—remnants of a Permian glacial landscape that once existed around the now shores of Lake Eppalock in central Victoria.

A glacial erratic beside the O’Keefe Rail Trail Photo: Garry Long

While enjoying the quality of the rail trail, take a moment to stop and look more closely, and you may notice fine surface scratches—marks left behind as the boulder was carried along by a moving glacier.

‘The Stranger’ rock Photo: Dr. Steve Hill

One of the most striking examples is a large glacial erratic known as “The Stranger”, perched on a hillside overlooking both the O’Keefe Rail Trail and Lake Eppalock. This imposing granite boulder contrasts sharply with the surrounding Permian sedimentary rock. Its surfaces reveal a long journey northwards shaped by ice, with sides that are scratched, smoothed, and polished by the grinding action of rock and glacier.

Kellam’s Rock, Lake Eppalock Photo: Dr Steve Hill

Kellam’s Rock is located a short distance away on the northern shores of Lake Eppalock. This offers another fascinating glimpse into this ancient past. Here, glacial ice and embedded sediments have scoured and polished the rock base as the glacier once passed directly over the area. Visitors can still touch and feel this remarkably smooth surface—largely unchanged for some 260–280 million years.

Large grooves etched into Kellam’s Rock Photo: Dr Steve Hill

The Derrinal–Lake Eppalock section of the trail, where the rail trail directly passes within the glacier’s path, provides yet another layer of interest for visitors to explore. Beyond its geological wonders, a rail trail journey also invites travellers to pause and enjoy local wines, boutique beers, coffee, and delicious food from this region of gastronomy—making it a truly rewarding destination both on and off the trail.