Bass Coast Rail Trail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bass Coast Rail Trail |
|
|---|---|
| Length | 16 km |
| Location | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Cycling details | |
| Trail difficulty | Easy |
| Hazards | Variable track maintenance |
| Surface | Packed gravel and sand |
| Hills | Minor undulating hills |
| Water | Available in most towns |
| Connecting transport | |
| Train(s) | N/A |
| Bus | Available in Wonthaggi |
The Bass Coast Rail Trail is a fun path for bikes and walks in Victoria, Australia. It's a special kind of trail called a Rail trail, which means it used to be a railway line! This trail follows an old railway line that used to go to Wonthaggi. It starts near Anderson and ends close to the old Wonthaggi Station.
The trail is about 16 kilometers long. It goes from Anderson, downhill towards the coast at Kilcunda. Then, it travels along sandy coastal dunes. Finally, it reaches the open farmland around Wonthaggi. The original railway line opened in 1910. It was used to carry coal and farm goods, and also for people to travel. The railway line closed down in 1978.
Contents
Exploring the Bass Coast Trail
From Anderson to Kilcunda
When you start from Anderson, the trail goes downhill about 40 meters. It winds through pretty farming areas. The path here is gravel. You might need to open and close a few gates along the way.
At Kilcunda, the rail trail is built on coastal sand dunes. Here, you'll see a famous wooden bridge called a trestle bridge. It crosses over Bourne Creek. From this part of the trail, you get amazing views of the Bass Strait coast. You can also see the Wonthaggi Wind Farm, which has big wind turbines built in 2005.
Heading Towards Wonthaggi
As you go towards Wonthaggi, the trail passes through flat farm fields. Sometimes, the grass can grow a bit tall on the path. The trail crosses a few small bridges over the Powlett River and other streams. Near Wonthaggi, the path is packed gravel. You'll find the historic Wonthaggi Station building here. There's also the interesting Central Mine Reserve, which tells the story of the area's mining past.
Cool Spots to See on the Trail
There are several interesting places to stop and explore along the Bass Coast Rail Trail:
- Anderson Station - The starting point of the trail.
- Kilcunda Station - An old station site near the coast.
- Kilcunda trestle bridge over Bourne Creek - A famous wooden bridge with great views.
- Dalyston Station - Another former station.
- You can even take a side path towards the old Dudley Area mine from here.
- State Mine Station - The trail goes through this spot, but it's not officially marked.
- Wonthaggi Station - The end of the trail, with a historic station building.
Images for kids
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Cyclists on the trail stop at the historic reserve for the McBride Tunnel entrance of the Central Area Mine
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Kilcunda trestle bridge over Bourne Creek on the Rail Trail
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Map of the rail trail, including proposed extension to Woolamai.
Geographic data related to Bass Coast Rail Trail at OpenStreetMap
