Walk The Line – Moolort

Castlemaine-Maryborough Rail Trail (Inc) in conjunction withThe Central Goldfields Bushwalking and Hiking Club, invite you to Walk the Line from the Moolort Silos to Bald Hill Road. 

CMRT plans to turn the disused railway line between Maryborough and Castlemaine into a World Class recreational trail. Sunday’s walk will follow the section of the proposed trail from the Grain Silos at the old Moolort Station to Bald Hill Road. 

There will be a short talk about the Moolort landscape and birds before walkers set off.

The Moolort Plains are unique. "The plains country is part of the Victorian Volcanic Plains bioregion, once dominated by native grasslands and largely untimbered. Silver Banksia, Tree-Violet and Bursaria were some of the predominant shrubs in this verdant landscape, prior to European settlement. A feature of the Moolort Plains are its wetlands and swamps, many of which have been actively managed for conservation values by local farmers."  See more at Geoff Parke's website: https://shorturl.at/kQRsJ 

The section of the line we are walking along goes through the Environmental Exclusion Zone of one of two proposed Broiler Farms near Bald Hill. We would urge walkers to consider the likely impact this development would have on our trail if these farms were to be approved. Central Goldfields Shire Council will make a decision on the planning application shortly. We welcome your comments and suggestions and Janice will be on hand to record them as you walk.

Meet at the Silos (see map below for parking) for registration and a brief talk, before heading off towards Bald Hill. Shuttle buses will ferry you back to the start of the walk. 

The walk will commence at 10.00am. We ask that you arrive from 9.30am onwards to ensure we can register everyone efficiently.

Length: 5 kms

Time: Depending on speed, 50 – 90 minutes. Once completed you are free to find a suitable café or restaurant for refreshment.

Safety: March can be hot or cold, wet or dry, calm or windy. Please check the weather before setting out. In the unlikely event of a Total Fire Ban, we will cancel the walk. Suitable clothing includes a hat, sunglasses and sturdy footwear. A full water bottle is essential. The walk is not suitable for people who use mobility aids as it will be along tracks on the sides of the rail line.

First Aid: will be available for any incidents.

Parking: at Moolort Silos

Easiest access is via Moolort-Baringhup Rd, then turn into Keystone Mine Rd. Alternatively, take Bufton’s Lane from the Pyrenees Highway.

Membership: Do you wish to join CMRT as a member? If so, please click here and complete your membership application.