The Great Victorian Rail Trail in Victoria’s High-Country runs from Tallarook to Mansfield with a branch line to Alexandra. It can be explored on foot, bicycle or horseback.
Sadly, large sections of this unique trail were significantly damaged by the January 2026 bushfires.
Each year the trail attracts about 150,000 users. It contributes around $17.5 million to the regional economy through day trips and overnight stays.
The route is also home to a series of artworks and takes in views of heritage classified rivers, valleys, lakes and mountains.
The bushfire damage made many of the trees along the trail hazardous. This has left the trail unsafe and unusable for visitors and community members. A large section in the middle of the route is closed while work to restore safe use is underway.
This closure affects trail use within areas at:
- Cheviot
- Molesworth
- Koriella
- Yarck
- Kanumbra.
It also affects the spurline between Cathkin and Alexandra.
Clearing the trail and making it safe for the next stage of work is an important part of local community recovery.
The local community will also benefit from the felling of these trees. Murrindindi Shire Council is coordinating free mulch collection at the Alexandra Resource Centre. It is also cutting usable logs into 4 metre lengths for use by local community groups including CFA, Rotary and Scouts.
While the trail is closed for now, we are proud to be leading this clean-up work as a first step to its reopening.
Learn more about the Great Victorian Rail Trail.
Stories of community recovery
Read stories from communities who have faced adversity and come together to grieve, recover and rebuild.
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