Port Fairy to Warrnambool Rail Trail

Home
Australia
Port Fairy, VIC
Port Fairy to Warrnambool Rail Trail

The Port Fairy - Warrnambool Rail Trail is a 37 kilometre rail trail in southwestern Victoria, Austr

21/07/2026

👀𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐥𝐝 "𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐞𝐥𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞" 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥?👀

Our volunteers have been busy making and installing these historic railway mileposts, which once marked the distance indicating miles to Spencer St. Station, which is now known as Southern Cross Station.

If you're from the younger generation and wondering what a mile is... well that's understandable! Before Australia switched to the metric system in 1974, everything was measured in miles, not kilometres. (A mile is about 1.6 km, if you're curious!)

Back when trains ran from Port Fairy, these posts told passengers how many miles they had left to travel to Melbourne. However, if you keep following the Rail Trail today, you'll only make it to Warrnambool! To reach Melbourne you'll need a bus, then a train—although the trip is much easier now that nobody has to shovel coal. 😄

These mileposts are a wonderful reminder of our railway heritage, and we're delighted to see them back where they belong. Keep an eye out for them on your next walk or ride! 👀

A huge thank you to our amazing volunteers for helping preserve another piece of our local history for everyone to enjoy.

15/06/2026

🚻 𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗡 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗦 𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗬𝗡𝗘 𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚....

The Rail Trail Committee is working towards the installation of a composting toilet at the Moyne Siding, Badhams Road, on the Port Fairy–Warrnambool Rail Trail, with planning and approvals getting underway.

Located about halfway between Port Fairy and Koroit, the Moyne Siding is a popular halfway stop with a shelter and picnic tables for walkers, cyclists, families, and older trail users. It’s a lovely place to pause, enjoy the scenery, spot a koala, catch your breath, and share a chat.

The one thing missing is a toilet.

This has been regularly pointed out by locals and visitors.

A composting toilet at Moyne Siding would make this
popular rest stop more comfortable, accessible, and welcoming for everyone who uses it.
We have asked for project costings and, once they are received, will apply to Moyne Shire and DEECA for the necessary permits. If approvals are granted as hoped by August, we will begin seeking funding to help deliver this much-needed facility for the trail community.
It may be a modest addition, but we believe it would make a significant difference for everyone who uses and enjoys the trail.

N.B. Image of a composting toilet for illustration purposes only.

19/05/2026

"𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫" – 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤! 🎉
Today we proudly celebrated National Volunteer Week at the Koroit Station, recognising the amazing people who help make our Rail Trail such a special place for everyone to enjoy.
A huge thank you to all our hardworking volunteers. So much happens behind the scenes, and many of the jobs are never seen – but every contribution makes a difference.
Our volunteers help manage and care for the trail from Port Fairy to Illowa, taking on a wide range of tasks including:
• Mowing and maintaining about 29 km of trail
• Keeping weeds under control
• Planting trees and shrubs – around 75,000 so far! 🌱
• Caring for gardens and vegetation along the trail
• Maintaining the Koroit Railway Station and Goods Shed
• And a myriad of other important jobs!
We also acknowledge our dedicated committee:
President Richard Zerbe, Secretary Irene Hobely, Treasurer Ian Bodycoat, and committee members Phillip du Gluesclin, Rob Foreman, Richard Alexander, Jenny McLean, Mike Halls and Jenny Dwyer.
We thank every volunteer — including those who quietly pull out a few pesky weeds during a walk, or carry a bag to collect rubbish along the way. Every little effort helps keep our trail looking beautiful.
To all our volunteers: thank you for your time and dedication. You make the trail what it is today.
And to all volunteers across our wider community — thank you for your passion, generosity and community spirit. Your efforts make a real difference every day. 💚

16/05/2026

🚂🚂𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐏 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐊𝐎𝐑𝐎𝐈𝐓 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍! 📖✨

𝑯𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒃𝒐𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑲𝒐𝒓𝒐𝒊𝒕 𝑹𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏?

A huge thank you to our incredible volunteer, Brian Trotter, who has spent countless hours researching, planning, and writing the stories that bring this important local history to life.

The three story boards explore:

• The operation of the railway from 1887 until the rail line closure in 1977
• The restoration of the Koroit Railway Station building and Goods Shed
• The construction of the Rail Trail in 2009–10, along with improvements through to 2024

This wonderful project was partly funded through the Rail Trails Australia Community Grants program.
We sincerely thank Brian for the dedication, passion, and effort he has put into making this happen. We hope everyone takes the time to stop, read the timelines, and enjoy this fascinating journey through our local history. 🚲🚉

21/02/2026

🚲 𝗗𝗜𝗗 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪? 👀

With the help of trail counters dotted along the beautiful Port Fairy - Warrnambool Rail Trail, we estimate close to 100,000 uses every year, and increasing! 🙌
Now, before anyone asks — the counters can’t tell us if you rode the full 37km, walked 2km, or just popped out for a wander on the trail. They simply count passes (so yes… riding out and back counts twice, however, when you pass a counter with someone beside you it only counts as one.😉)
And here’s the real jaw-dropper… 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝗮𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 the counter near the Children's playground at Koroit recorded 17,373 and Port Fairy trail counter recorded 12,799.
That’s a whole lot of wheels turning, feet moving, prams strolling, kids adventuring, locals enjoying their backyard, and tourists discovering just how special our trail and region really are.
𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗮𝘆 — 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱!💚

03/02/2026

🎬 Fundraiser Movie Screening Friday 6th Feb 7.30pm Reardon theatre Port Fairy — Support the Friends of the Rail Trail! 🚶‍♀️🌿
Come along for a special fundraiser screening of the hit movie Song Sung Blue, starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson. It’s heartfelt, funny, and packed with the timeless spirit and music of Neil Diamond — a feel-good night out for a great cause.
🎟️ Tickets: $20
All proceeds support the wonderful work of the Friends of the Rail Trail.
Bring your friends, enjoy the movie, and help keep our trail thriving.
P.S. It’s a good one… and yes, you might want to pack some tissues 😉

07/12/2025

A huge thanks to the Warrnambool Hash House Harriers maintenance crew for their great work at the Illowa Siding reserve plantation on Saturday, 6th December. Seven men, mowers and brush cutters — the place looks fantastic! They definitely earned their morning tea, and even had a friendly surprise visitor pop in to supervise their Tim Tam feasting!

03/12/2025

Spring may have finished, but our trees and shrubs along the trail are still bursting with colour, and now the sun is out we hope you have time to enjoy them. However, the weeds are also popping up with vigour as well. If you ever find yourself struck by an irresistible urge to pluck out a few of these unwelcome botanical enthusiasts, you have our permission!! Your efforts would be really appreciated!
You’ll usually find volunteers at the Koroit Railway Station and at the Port Fairy end of the Trail on Tuesday mornings. However, should you have a spare moment on any other day, your help would be just as wonderful—and just as appreciated.

Address

Regent Street
Port Fairy, VIC
3284

Website

https://www.portfairytowarrnamboolrailtrail.com.au/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Port Fairy to Warrnambool Rail Trail posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Port Fairy to Warrnambool Rail Trail:

Want your organization to be the top-listed Government Service in Port Fairy?