The trail starts with a bit of a whimper in Woolamai while local government struggles with the complexities of getting it 24km to the original junction near Nyora. The trail is predominantly crushed granite with 1km sealed at the Wonthaggi end.

Sand appears on the Kilcunda section when it is windy and the wooden bridges require care.

There are two main sections:

• Woolamai to Kilcunda (10km): This section is predominantly along the coast, with spectacular views and the small of sea spray in the air
• Kilcunda to Wonthaggi (13km): Once you see the coal mine you’ll understand why they built the challenging railway line.

Woolamai to Anderson (6km)

• Access: There’s no access to the station site at the racecourse. On-street parking is available in McGrath Rd, no facilities
• From McGrath Rd, you can see the old station platform mound where punters could alight to attend the races
• The trail travels through the small town and then slightly uphill through open farmland bordered by the coastal ranges. Melaleuca (tea tree) scrub lining the trail offers some wind protection
• The path is mainly flat as it skirts the hills, offering views of Western Port and Cape Woolamai on Phillip Island.
• Anderson is home to a roundabout and an art gallery.

Anderson to Kilcunda (4km)

• Access: The trail hub at Anderson is off the Bass Hwy roundabout to San Remo. It’s a great starting point with a large carpark, shelter, toilets, picnic tables and corral
• From Anderson, the trail winds around the hills offering magnificent views of the ocean, Kilcunda Surf Beach and Williamsons Beach
• You will pass the site of Mitchell’s Black Coal Mine at Mitchells Rise, where there is a walking track. The tailings heap has been fenced off
• Cross the Bass Hwy at the site of another trestle bridge and continue to the Kilcunda Foreshore Reserve
• Kilcunda is a reasonably large town with a café/general store, hotel and beachfront holiday park.

Kilcunda to Wonthaggi (13km)

• Access: The Kilcunda Foreshore Reserve at Kilcunda Beach has toilets and a picnic shelter, with shops across the road. There’s more parking at Kilcunda Surf Beach.
• Heading east from the reserve you will quickly reach the magnificent Bourne Creek Trestle Bridge, which now has a smooth and safe FRP grating deck
• The trail then runs beside the surf beach, so watch for sand drifts
• At Powlett River there is another long trestle bridge, which retains timber decking. A wind farm with six, 2MW turbines is on your right
• A flat coastal farmland section follows and then a wooded area where koalas have been seen. Just before the South Dudley Rd carpark, there’s the State Coal Mine Historic Reserve, which has a walking track.
• From this carpark, the trail is sealed and has solar lighting. Horses are not allowed on the town section
• The trail continues to the railway station precinct and then Bent St and the improved East Area Trail, currently being extended to Inverloch
• Wonthaggi is a large regional centre with all facilities. If starting here, aim for the Wonthaggi Centennial Centre, where there’s car parking, toilets and an information desk