Ride along the picturesque Camperdown to Timboon Rail Trail
Ride the quiet Camperdown to Timboon Rail Trail on Ride With Us eBikes or mountain bikes, and discover the tall forest, historic bridges, open farmland and magnificent lakes. This rail trail is a hidden gem in the Great Ocean Road region and is one of Victoria’s lessor known rail trails so you won’t have to worry about constantly dodging people, children and dogs on your ride like other popular trails you might have experienced.
The most popular places to start your ride along this trail are from Naroghid, Cobden or Timboon. Trail note: Camperdown town centre to Naroghid trail head entry directs you along country roads to the off-road trail head entry of the Camperdown to Timboon Rail Trail which starts from Naroghid (a 7 minute drive from Camperdown town centre), We recommend choosing to start your ride anywhere between Naroghid and Timboon if you would feel more at ease riding on the trail rather than along country roads.Ride over the historic Timboon Trestle Bridge
Ride over the historically and architectually significant Timboon Trestle Bridge at Curdie's River.
The Rail Bridge over Curdies River, Curdies Siding, Timboon, was constructed in 1892 on the Timboon-Camperdown Line for the Victorian Railways. The line was closed in 1986 and the fully restored bridge is now part of the Camperdown-Timboon Rail Trail.
The Rail Bridge is historically significant in that it was erected to facilitate development of the Heytesbury area. The railway gave access to markets for local industries. It is architecturally significant as a notable example of timber trestle bridge construction, which demonstrates a distinctive and presently rarely used construction method that utilised the best qualities of the native bush timbers. Constructed of local Heytesbury forest timber, the bridge illustrates vernacular bridge building traditions of the late nineteenth century, displaying a variety of two and four pile pier types. It is one of the few surviving railway structures of this type in Victoria. [Hertitage.vic.gov.au - Adopted from Heritage Victoria statement 25/10/2011]Explore the 12 Apostles Food Artisan Trail by bike
Ride along the 12 Apostles Food Artisans Trail, stopping to taste local produce, grabbing a bite to eat and bringing back some delicious treats. This is a self guided ride so you have the freedom to ride and stop at your leisure. Taste cheese, ice cream, strawberries and finish with a whisky tasting at the Timboon Railway Shed Distillery.
You might like to stop at the Timboon Railway Shed Distillery, Timboon Fine Ice Cream, Little Bit of Sweet, Great Ocean Road Berry World and Schulz Organic Creamery and Cafe. Ask us for a basket on your bike and bring some goodies home with you.Quiet trail riding through forests and past cows grazing on nearby dairy farms
Ride the quiet Camperdown to Timboon Rail Trail or the 12 Apostles Bicycle Trail on Ride With Us eBikes or mountain bikes, and discover the tall forests, historic bridges and grazing farmland. The Camperdown to Timboon Rail Trail is a hidden gem in the Great Ocean Road region and is one of Victoria’s lesser-known rail trails so you won’t have to worry about constantly dodging people, children and dogs on your ride like other popular trails you might have experienced.Historically significant rail trail
The Camperdown Timboon Railway line was officially opened on the 5th April, 1892 after 3 years of construction. The line was built to serve the pioneers of the Heytesbury Forest - farmers, saw millers and merchants. The original plan included continuing the line to Port Campbell. This did not occur due to governments cutting spending during the Depression times in the 1890’s.
Towns along the line, such as Curdies, Naroghid and Elingamite all boasted schools, community halls and service businesses up until the 1950’s with other stations at Camperdown, Cobden and Timboon. There were several crossing gates along the line - 34 bridges and a total of 84 culverts. The most significant of the bridges is the Curdies River Bridge which was restored and re-opened in November, 2010. This bridge is listed with Heritage Victoria and is easily accessible by
road. The line was closed to passengers in 1931, to freight in 1977 and eventually declared fully closed in May 1987. The Camperdown Timboon Rail Trail Steering Committee was established in 1994 and the Rail Trail was officially opened in 2009. [Camperdown to Timboon Rail Trail Map and information flyer].
