The trail surface varies from rubble/gravel to formed earth. It is suited to walkers and experienced MTB riders. Make sure you have water and food; there are no facilities between Port Wakefield and Balaklava. The trail runs between flat, open grain fields but, thanks to the efforts of locals who planted indigenous vegetation 30 years ago, the rail reserve now provides visitors with shade as well as more pleasant scenery.

The trail has four sections:

Port Wakefield to Bowmans (10 km): This part is flat and has a compacted earth surface with some loose sand. The corridor has some vegetation and the council plans to add more

Bowmans to Balaklava (15 km): There are some stretches of compacted earth, but this section is mainly compacted rubble/gravel with

Balaklava to Halbury (11 km): This section forms part of the Copper Rail Trail, but is called the Shamus Liptrot Rail Trail and is described in more detail on its own page 

Port Wakefield to Bowmans (10 km)

• Port Wakefield is a busy town with good parking, cafes, a caravan park and amenities.
• The duplication of the Princes Hwy through the town has produced a concrete shared path but it stops short of the rail trail, on Port Wakefield Hwy
• Park around the corner on the northern side of Balaklava Rd (B84), near a water pumping station and the start of the trail
• After 6 km, the trail passes through a dense area of century plants (Agave americana), easily recognisable by their long, tapered, dull-grey-green leaves and 6 m tall flower spikes
• A further 2 km along, the trail crosses Egret Rd, where several railway sleepers were left in place when the rails were removed
• Take care at the railway crossing just before Bowmans. This is a major freight route and carries many high-speed trains each day

Bowmans to Balaklava (15 km)

• Bowmans was once a thriving railway town and many of the railway houses are still occupied. The goods platform is visible on the side of the trail
• Vegetation increases in the rail corridor as it heads towards Balaklava. There are small sections of old man saltbush and bullock bush, which were once common in the area
• A small section of railway line has been retained from Hudson to Whitwarta roads, and the original railway turntable is visible on the corner of Whitwarta and Balaklava roads.
• Balaklava has good parking in Edith Tce, near shops and amenities, and a short distance from the trail at the junction of Hudson and Balaklava roads. There’s a pleasant caravan park.