The O’Keefe rail trail officially runs from Heathcote to Bendigo but it’s possible that it goes all the way to Wallan from the Heathcote end.
Heathcote to Bendigo
We started our ride from Heathcote on a warm sunny day. The ride surrounds are very dry and the only opportunity to top up our drinking water was at Axedale in the town park. Lake Eppalock was almost dry attesting to the severe drought. The track doesn’t seem to get much use; we only encountered two other cyclists the whole way.
Ride Details
Distance: 50 km (one way)
Lowest Elevation: 165 m
Highest Elevation: 307 m
Elevation Gain: 703 m
There are plenty of seats and tables along the way to have a sit but I doubt they would get much use as the long distance would discourage many from taking their own food.
In Bendigo you are dumped near Lake Weeroona Park where there aren’t many dining options close by. We ended up riding a further two kilometres to Epson McDonalds; which was also a good place to refill the now near empty water bottles.
Overall it was an enjoyable ride but more water filling stations would have been most useful. There are a couple of interesting displays on the way, one at Axedale with a goods wagon resting on some track and one at Rifle Butt of the last milepost’s grave.
Gradient Profile
The trail is relatively flat for a long ride. The low point is at Axedale where the path deviates away from the original railway alignment.
The Photos
Further Information
https://www.bendigotourism.com/things-to-do/cycling-and-walking/okeefe-rail-trail
https://www.railtrails.org.au/trail?view=trail&id=100
