Cycling to Boonie Doon on the Victorian Rail Trail

A day out on the bike along part of the Great Victorian Rail Trail from Mansfield to Bonnie Doon.

Australia’s longest continuous Rail Trail with Victoria’s longest rail trail tunnel (201m) at Cheviot. Testament to the natural obstacles posed by this landscape. The tunnel was constructed in 1889 from an estimated 675,000 handmade bricks using local clay, to pass trains across the Black Range at McLoughlin’s Gap and cost £88,661 but the work was delayed by accidents, floods and several industry disputes.

In places, the old railway line was still visible

Stretching from Tallarook to the foothills of Victoria’s High Country to Mansfield and to Alexandra, the Grea tvictorian Rail Trail traverses 134km of rolling pastures with stunning views and meanders along the majestic gum-lined Goulburn River.

With plenty of Australian wildlife out and about there’s chance to get up close to echidnas, wallabies, kangaroos and native birds in their natural surroundings.
Although the only wildlife I saw was this escape artist ... only in Australia!

Attracting cyclists, walkers and horse-riders the trail is a beautiful journey through the unique communities of north and north-east Victoria.

There was a great place to stop and rest, kindly offered by one of the residents along the track


Lake Eildon over the 385 metre Bonnie Doon Bridge – a great vantage point to watch activity on the lake.

Eildon is a popular destination with water lovers including water-skiers, wake boarders, pleasure boaters and anglers.


Lake Eildon has a shore line of almost 600km and is one of five premier lakes in Victoria.

and with every good bike ride, there was beer, overlooking the lake

From here the trial passes through beautiful farming country and the 12km from Maindample to Mansfield take in magnificent high country scenery, passing through the Mullum Wetlands – a habitat for local fauna and flora beginning and ending at Mansfield Railway Station.


The Railway Station is now a museum, with exhibits displayed inside the carriages.


There was a seat from the Regent Theatre, built in1937.

A reminder to the gold times is on display at Mansfield station