Stanhope – Girgarre Rail Trail

The Stanhope – Girgarre Rail Trail is a short and easy 5 km shared cycling and walking trail in northern Victoria’s Campaspe region, connecting the small rural towns of Stanhope and Girgarre. Following the former Rushworth–Girgarre railway corridor through classic Goulburn Valley dairy country, the trail is almost completely flat and has a light sandy-gravel surface. It’s well suited to mountain bikes, gravel bikes, hybrids, touring bikes and families, and at only around 10 km return makes an approachable ride for almost any ability. Starting from Stanhope Park on the northern edge of Stanhope, the trail heads north through open farmland and increasingly established native plantings. The route is wonderfully straightforward, with long, straight sections following the old railway formation. Several irrigation channels cross the corridor along the way; some retain narrow bridges while others require short gravel-road diversions where the original railway bridges have been removed. Approaching Girgarre, riders can make a worthwhile stop at the Gargarro Botanic Garden, showcasing indigenous plants from the Campaspe region and providing a café for a mid-ride break. The trail then continues into Progress Park, on the site of the former Girgarre railway station, where quirky musical installations including tubular bells reflect the town’s strong community and arts focus. The railway itself dates back to 1917, when the branch line from Rushworth to Girgarre opened to service the surrounding agricultural district. The section beyond Stanhope closed in 1975, with the remaining railway shutting in 1987. Development of the rail trail has been driven largely by the local community and Landcare volunteers, with the first 2 km completed in 2015 and the connection through to Stanhope finished in 2022. There are bigger ambitions for the corridor. The community’s long-term plan is to extend the trail south from Stanhope towards Rushworth, where it could eventually connect with the newer Waranga Rail Trail, creating a much more substantial regional cycling route. RTS Tip: This is an ideal easy 10 km out-and-back ride. Start in Stanhope, ride north to Girgarre and stop at the Gargarro Botanic Garden and café before heading back. The trail is flat, but the light sandy gravel can be a little loose and narrow in places, so wider tyres will make the ride more comfortable. If you're visiting on the second Sunday of the month, time your ride with the Girgarre Farmers Produce and Craft Market for an even better reason to linger at the turnaround point