The Camperdown to Timboon Rail Trail is within easy access of Heytesbury House, which is located in South West Victoria and only a hop, skip and a jump from the Great Ocean Road. A little-known Australian rail trail, meander along the quiet trail through farmland in the heart of dairy country.
There are multiple access points to the Camperdown to Timboon Rail Trail from Heytesbury House which means there a couple of picturesque rides to choose from.
Cobden to Naroghid (Approx. 8.7km one way, 17.4km return)
From Heytesbury House, make your way to the Bond Street trail entrance. At the Heytesbury House front gate facing the street, ride to your right along Parrott Street for a few metres, then take the first street on your left (Victoria Street). This will take you through the roundabout in Curdie Street, the main street of Cobden. From here, ride North-East along Victoria Street past the Cobden Lake and the Cobden Outdoor Swimming Pool to the roundabout. At the roundabout, turn right onto Neylon Street towards the BP Roadhouse Service Station. Turn left onto Bond Street just before you reach the BP Roadhouse and Motel. Ride along Bond Street a short distance, approximately 1 minute until you see the Rail Trail sign. On the left you will see the Cobden Golf Club. Take the Rail Trail Entrance on your right.
The Cobden to Naroghid section of the rail trail takes you along a gravel path, winding through lush green countryside. You may be lucky enough to see dairy cows grazing in their paddocks on either side of the trail.
The trail is an ever so slight uphill cycle virtually all the way from Cobden to Naroghid. The incline is almost unnoticeable to the naked eye but you will feel the difference on the way there versus the slightly easier ride on the way back on a rental mountain bike. The best part is that the hardest part of the ride is on the way there, then you can cruise back with a gentle ride home. Or for those wishing to rent an ebike, you can cruise up and back with as much or as little effort as you wish.
The trail ends at Naroghid where you will reach a small shelter, picnic table and a few metres further on, a car park. Turn around at this road (Cross Forrest Road) and return to Cobden.
Allow 1 hour if you’re a fast rider or 1.5 hours for a leisurely ride.
Cobden to Glenfyne (Approx. 12km one way, 24km return)
From Heytesbury House, make your way to the Grayland Street trail entrance. It is a short (approximately 1.4km) to the entrance of the trail. When at the Heytesbury House front gate facing the street, ride to your left along Parrott Street past the Cobden Recreation Reserve (football oval) then turn right into Dover Street, then take the next left onto Curdie Street. Head West along Curdie Street past Fonterra to the T-intersection. Turn left onto Neylon Street and then take the next right onto Grayland Street. Look for the rail trail sign just past the CRT Hewitt and Whitty Farm Supplies business on the corner. Enter the trail.
This part of the rail trail is unsealed compacted earth and is mostly flat. The trail runs alongside farms, often running adjacent to or weaving across the Cobden-Warrnambool Road. There are a few major road crossings along this section of the trail, so watch for cars and heavy vehicles travelling at speed so please stop and look before crossing quickly with care. On either side of the Cobden-Warrnambool Road at Glenfyne there are large shelters and the Glenfyne Public Hall has under cover picnic area, BBQ facilities and parking available.
Glenfyne to Timboon (Approximately 12km one way, 24km return to Glenfyne)
From Glenfyne, the ride is approximately 12km to reach Timboon. This section of the trail is undulating and weaves through remnants of the old railway line and past historic trestle bridges. The trail drops you right into the heart of Timboon which is renowned for its local produce including ice cream, whisky, a strawberry farm and organic cheesery. Call into the lolly shop, wander the gift shops or choose from a selection of lunch spots before heading back to Cobden. There is parking on the site of the old railway station, now the home of the Timboon Railway Shed Distillery and Ride With Us bike hire shed.
If you wish to ride one way you can leave your bicycles at the Ride With Us bike hire shed and we can take you back to Heytesbury House by car.
Trail and weather conditions: During wet weather and after heavy rain, sections of the trail can be very muddy and sometimes slippery. May to November are generally the wettest periods for the region so please check weather and rainfall to determine track conditions. In wet weather the Cobden to Glenfyne/Timboon ride is more likely to be muddy so we recommend taking the Cobden to Naroghid ride if there has been heavy rain. Watch out for sticks and branches which often fall onto the track from the overhanging trees. Please observe trail signage and do not enter the trail on high wind and code red fire danger days. Check weather conditions before proceeding on your ride.
Rail Trail surface: The rail trail surface is unsealed in all sections of the trail. Some sections are graveled and other sections are compacted earth. The trail varies in terrain depending on the section of the trail you are riding. Horses are permitted on some sections of the trail. Please give way to horse riders.
What types of bikes are suitable for the trail? The Ride With Us recreational mountain bikes and electric bikes for hire are designed to be ridden on gravel and unsealed paths as well as roads and are fitted with durable tyres. The trail is not suitable for road bikes. Cruiser bikes are generally designed to be ridden on smooth surfaces and flat terrain with minimal gears so are generally not suitable for the conditions on this rail trail.
Road Crossings: Take care crossing both gravel and sealed roads. Many of the gravel roads are still well used thoroughfares so please check for oncoming vehicles before crossing. There are several road crossings between Cobden and Glenfyne which require crossing a major road where cars and heavy vehicles will likely be travelling at up to 100kms p/h. When you approach a sealed road, please stop and check for oncoming vehicles and cross quickly with care.
If you are in need of a bike, Ride With Us has ebike and mountain bike rentals available, as well as children’s bikes and accessories for hire. Helmets are provided as part of your bicycle hire. Ride With Us also have a bicycle transport service where they can transport your cycles or theirs. Transport is available for up to eight bike riders and up to nine bikes, to and from your preferred locations. Find out more about ride with us here. They can drop the bicycles to you at Heytesbury House and pick them up again upon your return from your ride or hire them for multiple days to ride around town and along the trails.
