Old Beechy Rail Trail - Updates
About this page
The latest developments and improvements on the trail
The Former Beech Forest Railway in the Otways is being turned into a walking and cycling trail.
Old Beechy Rail Trail opened
Bicycle Victoria attended the opening of the Old Beechy Rail Trail in Gellibrand on 22 October 2005. The trail has been officially opened from Colac to Beech Forest however there are significant sections that are on roads.
The sections of the trail running in either direction from Gellibrand follow the old rail route and provide an enjoyable car free experience. These sections are suitable for mountain bikes only as they consist of a loosely packed gravel surface.
The Colac end of the trail is inappropriate for users looking for a safe car free experience. This section has some steep on road sections and some poor quality gravel road sections. Of most concern is an on road section of the trail near Barongarook that crosses a steep crest on a road with no shoulder for cyclists and a speed limit for cars of 100km/hr. Bicycle Victoria does not recommend using this section of the trail.
Some possible rides are:
- A return ride towards Barongarook starting and finishing in Gellibrand. The ride travels through some nice forest and agricultural country following the old train line. We recommend turning around at the Watson & Faceys car park as the trail becomes on road from this point into Colac with a potentially dangerous section just after Barangarook.
- A return ride towards Beech Forest starting and finishing in Gellibrand. The ride travels through some nice forest and agricultural country mainly following the old train line. There are some sections along fire trails and logging coupe tracks. Fromthe Dinmont car park the trail becomes on road into Beech Forest although the road is a low use gravel road. It should be noted that travelling from Gellibrand towards Beech Forest is a continuous climb of over 1000m, this section may be difficult for some trail users who may like to ride from Beech Forest to Gellibrand only.
Official opening: 22 October 2005
The official opening of the Old Beechy Rail Trail will take place on Saturday 22 October 2005 at Colac and Gellibrand with celebrations and ceremonial cutting of the ribbon to open the Bridge and Rail Trail at Gellibrand.
- 11:00am: A brief opening ceremony will take place at Colac
- 12:00pm: Entertainment will commence at Gellibrand
- 1:15pm: Official opening ceremony at Gellibrand with a procession over the Gellibrand River pedestrian bridge and cutting of the ribbon.
Souvenir and refreshment stalls will be available at Gellibrand.
Old Time dance at Gellibrand Hall at 7.30pm hosted by Otway Football Netball Club.
Premier launches new rail trail
Jul 05. Premier Steve Bracks and Minister for Environment, John Thwaites, opened the first 26km of the Old Beechy Rail Trail during their community cabinet visit in July. Mr Bracks said "it will be an iconic experience for people who want to see first-hand some of the great temperate rainforests of Victoria".
Mr Thwaites plans to return with his bike in the warmer months to have a ride on the rail trail.
New works
These projects are expected to be completed in time for the official opening in October 2005.
- Just north of Gellibrand, a 'Cattle Crossing' underpass will be provided next year to take the Rail Trail from the east to the west side of the Colac Lavers Hill main road.
- A new pedestrian and cycle bridge over the Gellibrand River has been constructed of steel and concrete with a stream span of 36 metres to meet requirements for stream management. A small bridge will be constructed over Loves Creek near Kawarren on the deviation in this section.
- Funding was made available to upgrade footpaths through Gellibrand and Beech Forest townships.
During 2004 a 'Geencorp' crew of 18 young people engaged for 16 weeks, learned valuable skills while undertaking scrub clearance along the track and erecting a number of gate and chicane panels at track entrances and road crossings.
Land access
Sections of the old rail line have been sold off and are now in private ownership. The Committee has been successful in obtaining access to some privately owned land thanks to careful negotiation with some landowners who are supportive of the rail trail. In particular, Midway Plantations who control a significant section of the route south of Gellibrand.
It is particularly important that Rail Trail users refrain from trespassing onto what is now private land to access the former rail route. This matter is a very sensitive issue for the Rail Trail Committee.
New name boards & trail information
August 2005
The Friends of the Rail Trail have erected 5 name boards with a further 7 almost ready for erection.
A total of 17 station name boards to the exact design of the original 1905 Victoria Railway name boards are planned.
With the cooperation of V/Line Pass and VicTrack a "gateway" has been created in front of Colac Railway Station, consisting interpretive panels, replacing the glass panels of the bus shelter. A metal sculpture feature, outlining a Garrett Locomotive and the gradient profile outline has been erected in front of Colac Railway Station.
Similar interpretive panels are located at Barongarook , Gellibrand, Watson & Faceys's siding (Birnam) and Beech Forest.
These interpretive panels include a map and gradient profile, a photo illustration of the railway work, ecological information, and history relative to the interpretive site location.
Directional signage, finger boards and road crossing signage is located along the Rail Trail.
A temporary Rail Trail pamphlet has been available for some time, now replaced by a permanent glossy color pamphlet.
History of rail trail
This narrow gauge (2ft 6 inch) 762mm railway south from Colac through Barongarook and Gellibrand, up into the Otway Ranges to the top of the range at Beech Forest, opened in 1902. Later the line was extended westwards through Lavers Hill to terminate at Crowes in 1911.
The total length of the line was 72km. The line closed in 1962 and was dismantled soon afterwards.
On closure of the line some of the land through which the line was laid was sold off into private ownership. However, a portion of the route remains on public land, Crown Reserve or Shire ownership,
The Rail Trail Committee was formed in 1998, bringing together interested groups form Colac, Gellibrand, Beech Forest and Lavers Hill. When substantial grant funding was received, the Rail Trail committee was embraced as a subcommittee of the Colac Otway Shire Council, under the Local Government Act.
Creation of the Rail Trail has been sponsored by the Colac Otway Shire Council, with the project being managed by the Department of Sustainability and Environment.
The Shire Council believes that creation of the Rail Trail will boost tourism visitation to the Otways Region as well as being a valuable recreational facility for the Community.
Several sections of the former railway right of way between Colac and Beech Forest are no longer avail able for public access.
Friends Group projects
A Friends Group was formed in 2000 to help with ongoing track maintenance. Several working bees have been held to construct and erect replicas station name boards. A replica name board for Barongarook was completed and erected in November 2004. This was unveiled at the Barongarook community Hall on Sunday 28 October 2004 where it overlooks the former railway station site.
Become an Old Beechy Rail Trail Supporter
If you would like to learn more about this Rail Trail or support the development effort send your details to:
The Secretary, Old Beechy Rail Trail Friends Group
765 Colac lavers Hill Rd
Baronarook VIC 3249
Membership is $5 pa (July-June); includes quarterly updates on the progress of the Rail Trail.