Our favourite rail trails to hike or cycle around Australia

If you love a bit of exploring, you’re probably already familiar with Australia’s great network of rail trails. If not, this is the sign you’ve been waiting for to choose your first adventure.

By Carolyn Tate

Rail trails are pretty much what their name suggests: routes that follow former railways, which you can hike or cycle – or even ride a horse along. Some are a short jaunt that will take you an hour or two, while others are multi-day adventures. You can experience the longer trails in small bits over time, or set off on a grand adventure and traverse the whole thing in one go. 

As you’d expect from railways, rail trails cut through hills, travel over embankments, and cross gullies and creeks. They might be sealed roads, or they might be gravel or dirt – which could affect the type of transport you’ll want to use. 

Ready to set off on your first adventure? Try one of our favourite trails to get you started. 

Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, Queensland

Let’s start with a big one.

The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail is Australia’s longest rail trail. It’s mostly a gently undulating trail, although it does have some steeper sections and bushland in the north. Along the way you’ll see heritage-listed sites like Lockyer Creek Bridge and Yimbun Tunnel. There are food outlets and accommodation along the way, and if you decide to go out for a few days, there are tours and shuttles that can assist you to get to your accommodation. These shuttles are prepped to take you (and your bike) to your accommodation for the night.

The subtropical Brisbane climate means this trail is great to try all year round (although you’ll want to avoid the sun in the middle of the day in summer).

Where: Wulkuraka (Ipswich – 46 km southwest of Brisbane) to Yarraman

Length: 161 km

Surface: A combination of coarse gravel, compacted earth, fine gravel, sealed

More info: Brisbane Valley Rail Trail

Kilkivan-Kingaroy Rail Trail, Queensland

The Kilkivan-Kingaroy Rail Trail offers a diverse journey through farmland and bushland in south-east Queensland, with several towns along the route. The trail surface varies significantly between sections, the Kilkivan to Murgon segment is built to a basic standard, which can feel a little bumpy for first-timers. However the Murgon to Kingaroy section, known as the South Burnett Rail Trail, has a much more comfortable sealed surface.

This trail is suitable for multi-day tours, and there are fully supported tours and shuttle services for you to join if you would prefer someone else to do the planning. Along the way, you'll experience scenic rural countryside and railway history and heritage, and plenty of food and accommodation options along the way. 

Where: Kilkivan (225 km northwest of Brisbane) to Kingaroy

Length: 89 km

Surface: A combination of coarse gravel, fine gravel, sealed

More info: Kilkivan - Kingaroy Rail Trail 

Great Victorian Rail Trail, Victoria

Stretching from Tallarook to Mansfield and Alexandra, the Great Victorian Rail Trail is Victoria's longest rail trail. 

The trail runs through the farmlands of the Goulburn River region, all the way to the picturesque High Country at Mansfield. The trail's fine gravel and compacted earth surface make it a comfortable ride, with nearly 5 kilometres of bridges offering wonderful views of the surrounding landscape. And if you’re an art enthusiast, you’ll appreciate the recently added art trail, with seven major installations and numerous minor works that complement the natural beauty of the surroundings.

The trail passes through several charming towns, and along the way you can also see the only tunnel on a Victorian rail trail, and the picturesque 385-metre bridge spanning Lake Eildon at Bonnie Doon. Other notable attractions include the National Trust-listed Trawool Valley, the Alexandra Timber Tramway and Museum, and the Yea Railway Park. Nature lovers can explore the Yea Wetlands and Mullum Wetlands in Mansfield, while railway enthusiasts might prefer a detour to the Kerrisdale Mountain Railway between Trawool and Homewood.

Where: Tallarook (90 km north of Melbourne) to Mansfield/Alexandra

Length: 134 km

Surface: Compacted earth, fine gravel

More info: Great Victorian Rail Trail 

Northern Rivers Rail Trail, New South Wales

In the far northeast of New South Wales, you’ll find this gem that takes you on a journey through the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest. Starting at the heritage-listed Murwillumbah Railway Station, the trail's initial 24-kilometre stretch travels along compact gravel and sealed surfaces through lush scenery and charming villages including Dunbible, Stokers Siding, Burringbar, Mooball, and Crabbes Creek. 

Murwillumbah is home to the Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre, the state’s largest regional art gallery. One of the trail's highlights is its impressive infrastructure, with 26 bridges and two tunnels, and let’s not forget the incredible views of the iconic Wollumbin (Mount Warning).

In early 2024, a second 13-kilometre stage between Casino and Bentley opened. The trail starts at the Heritage-listed Old Casino Station offers views of rolling farmland, close encounters with a mixed colony of Bent-winged bats, finishing at Bentley Bridge. 

Where: Murwillumbah (130 km south of Brisbane) to Crabbes Creek / Casino (220 km  south of Brisbane) to Bentley

Length: 38 km (24 km Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek, 14 km Casino to Bentley)

Surface: Crushed granite, Sealed

More info: Northern Rivers Rail Trail

High Country Rail Trail, Victoria

The High Country Rail Trail is an 80-kilometre journey from Wodonga to Shelley, in north-east Victoria. This scenic route showcases the diverse beauty of the region, winding around Lake Hume, one of Australia's largest reservoirs, and climbing into the foothills of the High Country. 

The trail's fine gravel and sealed surface provides a comfortable adventure – whether you’re on foot or on wheels, and you’ll experience a variety of terrains, from farmland near Lake Hume's shores to the forested areas around Shelley, which was once home to Victoria's highest railway station.

Another of the trail's most impressive features is the 600-metre Sandy Creek Bridge, a landmark that offers incredible views of the surrounding landscape. 

The journey begins in Wodonga and if you travel the entire trail, you’ll eventually arrive at Corryong in Victoria's high country. Along the way, you'll see high timber bridges and experience changing scenery as you climb to higher elevations. It's worth noting that the trail becomes more challenging beyond Old Tallangatta, with varying surface quality and some moderate gradients.

The section from Bullioh to Shelley is a continuous uphill climb at the steepest gradient trains could manage. If you’re up for it (and, hey, no judgement if you’re not!), you’ll be rewarded with some spectacular views. If you love a good hike, check out 5 lesser-known hikes for adventure seekers.

The trail is a great way to get to the twin cities of Albury/Wodonga with their Murray River frontage, and the Bonegilla Migrant Museum. History buffs will be intrigued by Old Tallangatta, known as ‘the town that moved’ to make way for the expansion of Lake Hume. Nature enthusiasts can explore the many national and state parks, with endless lookouts and mountaintops offering stunning views, including the Main Range of Kosciuszko National Park. 

Where: Wodonga (300 km north-east of Melbourne) to Shelley

Length: 80km

Surface: Fine gravel, sealed

More info: High Country Rail Trail 

Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, Victoria

One of Australia's premier rail trails, this fully sealed pathway connects a string of charming and well-known towns, including Wangaratta, Myrtleford, Bright, Beechworth, and Yackandandah, as well as Rutherglen and Wahgunyah along the Murray River. 

Known for its accessibility and scenic beauty, the Murray to Mountains trail is great for cyclists and hikers, and it offers a wonderful taste of north-east Victoria's diverse landscapes. As you travel along the path, you'll be treated to views of mountains, farmlands, and plenty of historical sites.

If you like your food and wine, you’ll love the Milawa gourmet region, and you’ll also skirt around the famous Rutherglen wine district - but we won’t tell if you want to wander off for a day or two. Beechworth also has some great cool-climate wines.

If nature is more your thing, Lake Buffalo and the alpine scenery of Mt Buffalo is not to be missed, while history buffs might enjoy a detour to the gold rush town of Eldorado, or the quaint village of Wandiligong. And if you’re travelling in autumn, don’t miss Bright and Beechworth’s spectacular trees as they change colours and shed their leaves.

Where: Wangaratta, Rutherglen (250 km northeast of Melbourne)  to Bright/Yackandandah, Wahgunyah, Oxley 

Length: 128 km

Surface: Sealed

More info: Murray to Mountains Rail Trail 

Southern Flinders Rail Trail, South Australia

This trail is more rustic than some of the others, blending into the rugged Aussie landscape, with both fine and coarse gravel surfaces. The journey is as much about the surrounding scenery as it is about the ride or walk itself. Mount Remarkable, Alligator Gorge, and the Wirrabara Forest are your backdrop, as the trail occasionally challenges you with rough sections and stony creek crossings – a lot of fun for the thrill seekers on mountain bikes!

The region surrounding the trail has plenty to see and do. If the trail isn’t enough of a challenge for you, feel free to add a climb up Mount Remarkable, or explore the narrow passages of Alligator Gorge. If you like trains, be sure to ride the historic Pichi Richi Railway, and if you’d like to extend your stay, the towns of Melrose, Booleroo Centre, Wirrabara, and Laura have caravan parks and campgrounds set in natural surroundings, giving you the perfect base to relax and stay a while.

Where: Laura (207 km north of Adelaide) to Wilmington, Flinders Ranges 

Length: 80km

Surface: Coarse gravel, Fine gravel

More info: Southern Flinders Rail Trail 

Kep Track, Western Australia

The Kep Track, formerly known as the Farming Heritage Trail, offers a journey through Western Australia's diverse landscapes, starting just 39 kilometres east of Perth. With its coarse gravel and compacted earth surface, the trail is an easy ride for cyclists and a pleasant walk for hikers.

You'll pass through a string of charming communities, each with its own unique character, with the trail connecting Mundaring, Sawyers Valley, Mount Helena, Wooroloo, Wundowie, Bakers Hill, and Clackline. One of the trail's most intriguing features is its parallel run with sections of the historic Goldfields Water Pipeline. This engineering marvel, built between 1898 and 1903, stretches an impressive 560 kilometres from Mundaring Weir to Kalgoorlie, and remains in use today. The trail also passes through Beelu National Park, where you’ll pass through jarrah forests, interspersed with marri trees and stands of wandoo. During the wildflower season, the track comes alive with colourful blooms, making spring the best time to visit.

If you’re feeling super energetic, the Kep Trail connects with the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail (below) at Wooroloo, so you can just keep going if the mood takes you.  

Where: Mundaring Weir  (39km east of Perth) to Northam

Length: 75km

Surface: Coarse gravel, Compacted earth

More info: Kep Track

Railway Reserves Heritage Trail, Western Australia

Recognised as a Trails WA 'Top Trail', this trail retraces the path of the old Eastern Railway that connected Fremantle to York in the late 1880s. One of the trail's key advantages is its accessibility – it's just a 40-minute drive from Perth, making it easily reachable for day trips or longer explorations. Stretching from Bellevue to Wooroloo, it passes through the Darling Range and John Forrest National Park, as well as through quaint hills communities like Darlington, Parkerville, and Mundaring, each adding its own charm to the journey.

Where: Bellevue to Wooroloo, 19 km East of Perth

Length: 59 km

Surface: Coarse gravel, Compacted earth, Fine gravel

More info: Railway Reserves Heritage Trail 

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