Friends of the Bendigo-Kilmore Rail Trail

Proposed Wallan to Heathcote Rail Trail

For the proposed Wallan to Heathcote Rail Trail, the trail’s feasibility study recommended staging this development. The brochures below have been designed as a focus on two sections, the Heathcote to Tooborac section and the Heathcote Junction (Wandong, Wallan) to Kilmore section.

• Heathcote to Tooborac section brochure (‘digital’ version)
• Heathcote to Tooborac section brochure (print version)
• Heathcote Junction (Wandong, Wallan) to Kilmore section brochure (‘digital’ version)
• Heathcote Junction (Wandong, Wallan) to Kilmore section brochure (print version)

Planning Options – O’Keefe Rail Trail and more

• Official O’Keefe Rail Trail brochure (includes map and information about access points and sites of interest along the trail.)
• An A4 map of the O’Keefe Rail Trail
• “Get on Your Bike” – Bendigo Tourism.
• “Cycling and Walking Trails” – Bendigo Tourism
• Off-Road Trail Network – Regional Victoria map – produced by FBKRT

PTV Bus Service – O’Keefe Rail Trail

The PTV public bus service, Heathcote – Bendigo via Junortoun & Axedale & Knowsley is available for O’Keefe Rail Trail users. This bus service may be able to carry two (2) bikes using a rack on the front of the bus, depending upon the bus availability. To check this availability of the bus on this route, please contact Organ’s Coaches (03 54221788 opt 2).

For related O’Keefe Rail Trail information, contact either the Bendigo Tourism Visitor Info Centre (1800 813 153), Bendigo Tourism or Heathcote Tourism Visitor Info Centre (03 54333121) or City of Greater Bendigo Council (1300 002642 during business hours).

GPS device files (GPX, FIT) for download

• O’Keefe Rail Trail (Bendigo>Heathcote) GPX file
• Heathcote-Rushworth route (via forest tracks) GPX file
• Bendigo-O’Keefe Rail Trail-Axedale-Wellsford Forest-Bendigo loop GPX file
• Wallan Station to Bendigo CBD (country roads and trails, 144.3kms) Link to RWGPS (GPX, FIT etc)
• Heathcote-Tooborac gravel ride loop (country roads & trail, 47.4kms) Link to RWGPS (GPX, FIT etc)
• Map below showing the above Bendigo-Axedale-Wellsford Forest-Bendigo loop ride

About the Friends and the trail vision

• “Old Railway Line new connections” brochure (Vision for the Wallan to Heathcote Rail Trail)
• “Friends of the Bendigo-Kilmore Rail Trail” brochure (About the Friends and how to join)
• Vision and Objectives (of the Friends of the Bendigo-Kilmore Rail Trail)

Bendigo Cycling Network Rides

Cycle rides centered on the Greater Bendigo can be viewed at Bendigo Tourism or download this pdf file

• Bendigo Cycling Network rides (pdf, Jul 2014)

Smartphone/device Apps

Cycle Wayz

With this app, choose your favorite cycle route from adventure cycling to a day out with the family. Australian rail trail maps are free to download, which includes the O’Keefe Rail Trail, thereby being able to find accommodation, campsites, water, food, history and stories.

• Cycle Wayz. (australiancyclingholidays.com.au/cyclewayz/) download from Google play or Apple App Store)

Snap, Send, Solve.

From time to time you’ll come across obstacles or issues noted on your walk or ride, and want to have such dealt with to aid future positive experiences. There are a few smartphone apps that allow you to report such. Snap, Send, Solve is considered the best such app in Australia for this purpose, because it directs your report straight to the authority responsible no matter where you are located.

• Snap, Send, Solve (www.snapsendsolve.com). Download from Google play or Apple App Store)

Avenza PDF Maps

The PDF Maps app is a geospatial PDF, GeoPDF^® and GeoTIFF reader for your Apple iOS and Android smartphones and tablets. Easily search for and browse thousands of professionally made maps available in the PDF Maps Store. Interact with spatially referenced maps to view your location, record GPS tracks, add placemarks, and find places.

• Avenza PDF Mobile App (www.avenza.com/pdf-maps, download from Google play or App Store)

Axedale Historical Trail

While in Axedale, there is the opportunity to learn more about the history of this town, using the Axedale Historical Trail. To assist your exploring, there is also a smart device Axedale Historical Trail app that can be downloaded

• Axedale Historical Trail app  (download from Google play or iTunes App Store)

Proposed Heathcote – Rushworth Trail

The Campaspe Shire council has been allocated Federal Government funds to extend the Murchison Rushworth Rail Trail from Channel Inlet Rd to the Rushworth township. The planning and construction of this rail trail project is taking place, and the expected completion is by mid 2023. A Heathcote to Murchison Trail proposal brochure was produced by Campaspe Shire in 2018, which the Heathcote – Rushworth section would link the O’Keefe Rail Trail (Heathcote – Bendigo) to the Murchison Rushworth Rail Trail at Rushworth. Support by community and trail users for this linking trail is to be encouraged, by having your say and contacting the Campaspe Shire council and the City of Greater Bendigo and your State and Federal representative.