This is not your standard rail trail as the line was a timber tramway. You can expect mud and fallen trees in winter. Then there’s the snakes and flying mountain bike riders in summer. Road-base rock has been used in places, which may cause punctures.

Collins Siding-Telbit Crossing (7km)

Note: Only this section of the trail is open. What remains of the rest of the railway corridor is not maintained. You can create a loop walk/ride by returning up Telbit Rd to Collins Siding but watch for logging trucks

• Access: At Collins Siding, the start of the trail is not signposted. Travelling north along Moe-Walhalla Rd (C466), watch for Telbit Rd on the left (also signposted for Caringal Scout Camp) 23km from Moe and 2km from Erica. Search: “Collins Siding” or “Telbit Road”. The trail begins off the C466, approx. 200m north of the Telbit Rd junction, just after Collins Siding’s last house. There is space for some off-road parking but it’s not recommended in winter, when you should use Old Government Rd or park at the Erica MTB Park western trail hub 1km closer to Erica.
• From Collins Siding, follow the trail down through mountain ash forest to Telbit Crossing
• The trail crosses creeks where tramway bridges used to be. The one at John Creek has had major work to handle Forest Fire Management vehicles
• The trail meanders through forest and tree ferns
• Common heath is in bloom in late winter and spring
• Look and listen for lyrebirds, kookaburras and fan-tailed cuckoos
• You may also see swamp wallabies, koalas and spiny anteaters
• The trail passes farmland to the east before crossing Middle Creek and passing a Finns Tk branch on the right
• After climbing to Telbit Crossing, where there was a sweeping curve, the rail reserve is near the far side of Telbit road before entering private land
• If starting from Telbit Crossing, look for a small “Tyers Junction Rail Trail” sign where the tramway crossed the road. Telbit Crossing is approximately 100m south of the intersection of Finns Track and Telbit Road. Search: “Finns Track”.

CONNECTING PATH (3km)

• You can ride down the gravel road to Tyers Junction. The surface is well maintained but that’s for the logging trucks, so keep an eye out for them
• There are sections of the tramway alignment below the road and then an extended section above the road on the right which is being maintained by trail bike riders
• On the way, look for the remains of Christies Bridge
• Enjoy one of the walking tracks or a picnic by the river before returning to Collins Siding via Telbit Rd or the trail
• There is camping available to the public at Caringal Scout Camp