Crossing the Goulbourn River. Great Victoria Rail Trail, Yea to Alexandra. January 2018. Photo: Kyle Eaton
Bike Rides, Blog

Great Victorian Rail Trail

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Our rides along the Great Victorian Rail Trail, which makes its way from Tallarook to Mansfield, plus a shorter branch to Alexandra. 

Tallarook to Yea, 25th November 2018

This is the easiest part of the trail to access from public transport alighting from Tallarook railway station. We drove as it’s easier with the bikes, and it would be a disaster if you missed the train home.

Tallarook to Yea was done last as I was expecting it to be the least scenic of the Great Victorian Rail Trail. To our delight there is a lot of fantastic scenery of much variety including wineries, water ways and distant mountains.

Ride Details, Tallarook to Yea

Distance: 38.25 km (each way)
Lowest Elevation: 168 m
Highest Elevation: 238 m
Elevation Gain: 604 m

  • Kyle on the bike track. Tallarook to Yea bike ride, November 2018.
    Kyle on the bike track. Tallarook to Yea bike ride, November 2018.
  • Distant scenic mountain range. Tallarook to Yea bike ride, November 2018.
    Distant scenic mountain range. Tallarook to Yea bike ride, November 2018.
  • Crossing Falls Creek near Trawool. Tallarook to Yea bike ride, November 2018.
    Crossing Falls Creek near Trawool. Tallarook to Yea bike ride, November 2018.
  • Colourful bush fly. Tallarook to Yea bike ride, November 2018.
    Colourful bush fly. Tallarook to Yea bike ride, November 2018.
  • Homewood Station Site. Tallarook to Yea bike ride, November 2018.
    Homewood Station Site. Tallarook to Yea bike ride, November 2018.
  • Yea station building. Tallarook to Yea bike ride, November 2018.
    Yea station building. Tallarook to Yea bike ride, November 2018.
  • Goods shed at Yea. Tallarook to Yea bike ride, November 2018.
    Goods shed at Yea. Tallarook to Yea bike ride, November 2018.
  • Wide open skys in the country. Tallarook to Yea bike ride, November 2018.
    Wide open skys in the country. Tallarook to Yea bike ride, November 2018.
  • Railway cutting near Trawool. Tallarook to Yea bike ride, November 2018.
    Railway cutting near Trawool. Tallarook to Yea bike ride, November 2018.
  • Trackside vinyard. Tallarook to Yea bike ride, November 2018.
    Trackside vinyard. Tallarook to Yea bike ride, November 2018.

Yea to Alexandra, 14th January 2018

This time with Kyle and my year old Merida Big 9 bike. The path surface had been changed from the fine yellow gravel last time to a more coarser dark gray material. Unpleasant to ride on I wish I had the large off road tyres fitted instead of the narrower road/trail tyres. I got a puncture about 1km from Cheviot Tunnel on the way back.

According to the ride website the trip we did is for “advanced riders”, so we both felt proud we’d completed over 80km for the day. Scenery highlights include crossing the Goulburn River and riding through the cutting approaching Alexandra. A ride well worth doing.

Ride Details, Alexandra to Yea

Distance: 38.01 km (each way)
Lowest Elevation: 178 m
Highest Elevation: 302 m
Elevation Gain: 608 m

  • Crossing the Goulbourn River. Great Victoria Rail Trail, Yea to Alexandra. January 2018. Photo: Kyle Eaton
  • Crossing the Goulbourn River. Great Victoria Rail Trail, Yea to Alexandra. January 2018.
  • Trestle bridge remains. Near Molesworth. Great Victoria Rail Trail, Yea to Alexandra. January 2018.
  • Trestle bridge remains. Near Molesworth. Great Victoria Rail Trail, Yea to Alexandra. January 2018.
  • Telegraph poles near Cathkin. Great Victoria Rail Trail, Yea to Alexandra. January 2018.
  • Waterway. The many waterways passing through Molesworth. Great Victoria Rail Trail, Yea to Alexandra. January 2018.
  • Stony path. The large gravel made for heavy going with narrow tyres between Cathkin and Alexandra. Great Victoria Rail Trail, Yea to Alexandra. January 2018.
  • Impressive cutting. Approaching Alexandra. Great Victoria Rail Trail, Yea to Alexandra. January 2018.
  • Alexandra station. Now used by the Alexandra Timber Tramway and Museum. Great Victoria Rail Trail, Yea to Alexandra. January 2018.
  • Track signage. At Alexandra. Great Victoria Rail Trail, Yea to Alexandra. January 2018. Photo: Kyle Eaton

Yea to Cheviot Tunnel, 10th July 2013

We joined the Laidlays on a very cold 3C day from Yea to Cheviot Tunnel via the Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail. A fantastic way to get out with your bike. Grades were not steep but they were very long. It was a quick return to Yea, and cold!

  • Glenn and Kyle. Great Victorian Rail Trail, Yea to Cheviot Tunnel. July 2013. Photo: Mark Laidlay
  • Kyle on a bridge crossing the Yea River. Great Victorian Rail Trail, Yea to Cheviot Tunnel. July 2013.
  • Mark getting his photo subjects ready. The long straight sections were a pleasure to ride. The gradient is slight but the length can be tiring after a while. Great Victorian Rail Trail, Yea to Cheviot Tunnel. July 2013.
  • Snack break on the trail. A very nice table and seats with view. No BBQ facilities though. Great Victorian Rail Trail, Yea to Cheviot Tunnel. July 2013.
  • Approaching Cheviot Tunnel, the highest point of our ride. Great Victorian Rail Trail, Yea to Cheviot Tunnel. July 2013.
  • Kyle and Zara pose for the photographer. Kyle and Zara did very well on this ride. I could barely keep up, especially with Kyle. Great Victorian Rail Trail, Yea to Cheviot Tunnel. July 2013.
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