Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail
The Warburton Trail is a local term for the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail, a walking and cycling track in eastern Victoria, Australia. It runs a distance of 38 km between Lilydale and Warburton, along the former Warburton Railway Line. A section between Corduroy Road in Yarra Junction and Warburton is also known as the Centenary Trail.[1][2]
History
Since the closure of the Warburton railway line in July 1965 and the dismantling of the track in the 1970’s the land had gone to waste. On two occasions (1984 and 1996) the state government attempted to sell off the land only to be thwarted by locals who saw the opportunity to create a linear reserve, which could have great environmental and economic advantages for the towns along the route, not to mention the enjoyment of the general public. In 1996 the appointment of a Committee of Management consisting of local volunteers resulted in several years of hard work in clearing the land, restoring 13 bridges and surfacing of the trail. Negotiations were undertaken with neighbouring farmers who had previously occupied the reserve, to erect fencing and gates where necessary. By 1998 the trail was continuous from Maroondah Highway, Lilydale to the site of the Warburton station. In March 2007 there were reports in local newspapers that the State government had appointed the management duties of the trail to the Yarra Ranges Shire Council, effectively making the then Committee of Management redundant.
Flora And Fauna
There are many rare species of plants and animals to be seen by the keen observer along the trail.
The Surface
The trail’s compacted gravel surface between Lilydale and Millgrove is pram and wheelchair friendly and accommodates activities such as walking, cycling and horse riding. The surface of the last 4 km between Millgrove and Warburton is sealed. The trail meanders through scenic bushland, open river flats and some of the many farms in the Yarra Ranges district. Most of the original timber bridges along the route have been restored and have safe handrails with a timber deck.
The Deviation
The trail is, however, incomplete. The longest unbroken section begins on the south side of Maroondah Highway approximately 1 km east of Lilydale railway station and continues all the way to Warburton. Heading from Lilydale station along the original route, the trail begins to take shape at the northern end of the station’s eastern car park and continues for about 800 metres to an historical bridge where the original alignment of Anderson Street passed over the railway. Immediately beyond the bridge the trail deviates around a school to the north, east and south. The eastern and southern parts of the deviation are not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. The school currently leases the land formerly occupied by the railway. On the southern boundary of the school the deviation runs up a steep hill to meet the original alignment of the trail, which then continues south to Maroondah Highway. The Victorian State government has granted funding for the construction of a bridge over Maroondah Highway to complete the trail’s continuity.
References
- Bike Paths Victoria sixth edition, 2004. Edited and published by Sabey & Associates Pty Ltd. pp143. ISBN 0957959117
- Bike rides around Melbourne 2nd edition, 2006, Julia Blunden, Open Spaces Publishing, ISBN 0-9752333-2-7