Comments on: Camperdown-Timboon Rail Trail

By: Disne P.

Disne P. — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 06:43:11 +0000

Rode from Timboon to Cobden and return. All bridges in the forest area close to Timboon are open, although one does look like it will need replacement soon. Scenery was spectacular on this section. Section after Glenfyne is flatter and easy riding into Cobden. Really enjoyed the ride.

By: Scott N.

Scott N. — Sat, 21 Jun 2025 00:43:40 +0000

In reply to Simon G.. Why leave a review of this trail if you didn't ride this trail?!

By: Scott N.

Scott N. — Sat, 21 Jun 2025 00:42:29 +0000

We attempt this trail from Timboon. No signage posted saying trail was closed. Actively hiring bikes at the start, despite the trail being impassable 3km down the track. Replacing "bridges"? They have token machines present (skidsteer, small excavator). No serious attempt to replace +3 collapsed bridges. Stay clear. Waste of time exploring southern end of this trail.

By: Simon G.

Simon G. — Wed, 07 May 2025 22:46:02 +0000

I decided as being in Timboon and a significant section closed off indefinitely to replace 2 bridges to ride the 12 apostles rideway instead. Really enjoyed the ride out of Timboon through some woodland, some blind corners so be careful if the trail is busy then up through dairy country, I did pick a particularly windy day with a crosswind gusts up to 60 km/h so was a challenge but lovely views as you go over the top and see the ocean, you would normally I’m sure roll down the port Campbell which is a cute settlement with a plenty of cafes, a SLSC, art space, the veggie soup looked really good at the bar/cafe. Chatted to a local and no fishing out of port Campbell anymore so no local produce to buy. Nice easy ride back via the same route to Timboon and a double scoop at the ice-creamery. 2hr cycle time approx both ways.

By: Neil F.

Neil F. — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 04:32:52 +0000

(Includes shared trail to Port Campbell)
I rode this trail in March 2025 on a electrified mountain bike and my wife on her electrified recumbent trike. We started in Timboon and headed for Port Campbell. This trail is quite pleasant but not that smooth overall. You are often among very attractive woodland/forests and the trail has good variety. A bit more attention to the surface would be ideal and also a more formal ending in Port Campbell (rather than just merging into foot paths)
We also rode north of Timboon for about 8km to the old bridge at Curdies River which was well forested but with some rougher spots on the trail in places.

By: Sue D.

Sue D. — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 02:21:47 +0000

March 25th 2025.
Most of the RT from Camperdown
To Timboon is closed due to bridge and track works. We arrived with bikes but unable to do the trip.

By: Nick B.

Nick B. — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 04:42:34 +0000

There are over 40 Rail trails open to cyclists, walkers and horse riders across Victoria and the Camperdown-Timboon rail trail was one I had on my list to ride
I stuffed a few essentials into my panniers, strapped the MSR Hubba tent to the rear rack of Mr Surly and I was ready to go off cycling for a few days.
All rail trails aren’t alike, arriving at Camperdown station at the rail head I realised that the first section of the trail was out on the road; a rookie mistake! I should have downloaded the route map!
Cycling in drizzle under grey skies ‘there was just enough blue sky to make a sailor’s trousers’. The ride began with a steady climb, up out of town that had my heart pumping, skirting along the edge of Mt Luera however my reward was watching Wedge-tailed Eagles sore in the sky above as Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos called sweetly from the treeline. Cresting the highest point, I stopped to look down on two volcanic crater lakes, the freshwater Lake Bullen Merri and the salty Lake Gnotuk, which is bright pink and ringed with salt. After an exhilarating downhill run to Naroghid, I joined the official start of the trail. Cycling through bushland with farmland crossings, I kept my eyes peeled for birds, I was delighted to see a native Echidna, which was a bonus. The trail was littered with large branches and I needed to keep my wits about me to avoid trouble, I noticed a sign saying that the trail was closed on hot and windy days. I’m not surprised, in high summer the place is a potential tinderbox.
The section between Cobden and Glenfyne is a mix of farming country and forest bushland, with numerous shelters at former railway sidings with storyboards explaining the human history and flora & fauna of the area.
Unfortunately, the trail between Glenfyne and Timboon is temporarily closed for bridge works so I doubled back and took the Litchfield Curdies River gravel road as a workaround. I must have got a little bushwhacked, or taken a wrong turn somewhere as my shortcut seemed to take far longer than I expected. Eventually, I dropped down alongside the Curdies River to discover the impressive Curdies trestle bridge. A beautiful rustic wooden construction that stands as a powerful reminder of bush engineering. From the trestle bridge, it was a marvellously scenic 5-kilometre ride amongst giant eucalyptus trees into the friendly town of Timboon.
After some light refreshments, I pushed on past the local swimming pool where the path joins up with the Timboon to Port Campbell trail. I found this to be easy riding on a firm gravel surface that runs mostly parallel with the main road for 20 ks or so down into the thriving seaside fishing village and tourist town of Port Campbell where my campsite for the night is at the local Caravan Park.
After a relaxing night’s sleep, I was woken early by the bush’s alarm clock, laughing Kookaburras. I brewed up a coffee using my trusty pocket rocket stove then just sat in my foldable chair and drank in the early morning birdsong as warbling magpies joined the corrus, while a couple of Anzac biscuits topped with yesterday’s freshly picked roadside blackberries completed the perfect cyclist’s breakfast. From Port Campbell its 70ks to Warrnambool, padded out just over 90ks with a couple of scenic seaside diversions .
The Great Ocean Road attracts visitors from around the world, enthralled by the natural beauty of wild rugged limestone and sandstone cliffs surrounded by the pounding waves of the Southern Ocean. A relentless sea devours the coast leaving behind monolithic stacks to await their fate. Cycling in the early morning I had these striking vistas all to myself.
Each roadside attraction is more breathtaking than the last: London Bridge, The Grotto, The Bay of Martyrs and Childers Cove. I leave the bike to walk barefoot along a secluded beach, revelling in that simple pleasure of being at one with the natural world.
On the Outskirts of Warrnambool, I take the tourist route through Allensford with a quick stop at the Warrnambool cheese factory, before cycling down to the Warrnambool Breakwater then along the cycle path out to ‘Gannys Grave ‘ before setting up camp at Surfside Caravan Park.
On a barmy summer evening Singing Honeyeaters called up a full moon. I spent the next day sightseeing around Warrnambool before getting a lift home. When the bridgeworks are completed at Glenfyne, I will be back to ride the Camperdown – Tmboon Rail trail again.

By: David B.

David B. — Wed, 29 May 2024 10:27:22 +0000

The rainforest section, between Glenfyne and Curdies River, is beautiful but challenging: some of the descents from railway embankment to low-level bridges are narrow, steep and can be slippery with tree roots protruding. The trail is often overgrown in that section and there are a few bumps from protruding sleepers. Elsewhere on the trail, there are today two fallen trees across the trail but they are not hard to step over/around. Entering Cobden golf course heading South we were a bit lost at first – the trail is not clear, but continues straight ahead, beside a golf tee so it looks like a track for golfers. You only mix with golfers for a short distance, then the rail trail is clear, well separated from fairways with trees to protect from stray golf balls. We took the train to Camperdown, spent two nights in Timboon with a day trip to the coast – the extension of the trail through to Port Campbell is a big plus. Final tip – the recommended on road section is 3.5 km longer and with bigger climbs, so at least heading back to Camperdown take the shorter route – the C164 is not very busy, you only need to be on it for 2km and it's downhill so you can maintain a good speed.

By: Robert I.

Robert I. — Mon, 27 May 2024 09:27:44 +0000

Started 12:53 just off Vline, the Camperdown roads were very busy but once on the actual RailTrail it was peaceful. Very pleasant amongst the fields full of cows.
A couple of logs lay across the trail which could be a problem if you had a heavy E-bike. One of the last wooden bridges was in a bad way with scaffolding holding it up. Near here the trail is very narrow on a sloping difficult hill, I walked my bike as the panniers
unbalanced it. I
planned to ride to Port Campbell on the new 12 Apostles Trail but realised I couldn’t get there in daylight. Winter days are shorter and I had no accommodation so no choice but to finish the ride in the dark. Fantastic quality bridges, concrete spillways make the Timboon to Port Campbell 12 Apostles Trail one of the BEST I have ridden. Even in the dark the last roadside trail overlooks the Port, it is fantastic!

By: Wolter K.

Wolter K. — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 11:06:50 +0000

In reply to Clayton B.. There are now toilets and a bike repair station at Paaratte Recreation Reserve, almost halfway to Port Campbell