Colac - Old Beechy Rail Trail
The Old Beechy Rail Trail follows one of the state's former narrow gauge railways through an area of scenic forest, rich farmland and rolling hills with the coast not too far away. There is excellent bird life and rainforest pockets see magnificent eucalypts and blackwoods shading the lush understorey.
Between Barongarook and Birnam, the trail passes through the quiet Barongarook Conservation Reserve, a 16-hectare protected bushland reserve with endangered Grassy Forest vegetation and excellent birdwatching opportunities.
Trail Summary:
Where: The trail runs between Colac and Beech Forrest, two hours west of Melbourne.
Distance: 45km trail, which can also be completed in short sections and in either direction.
Gradient: Some gentle slopes and undulating trail to steep up and down hill sections.
Surface: Large sections of purpose-built trail with compacted gravel, short sections of heavy gravel on dirt roads and some sealed roads.
Suitability: Trail suitable for mountain bikes and walkers (dogs are allowed on a leash). Some sections of the trail suitable for beginners and families, some only suitable for intermediate to advanced riders.
Gates: Timber chicanes are found along the trail, which may restrict bikes with trailers or three-wheelers. Keys can be arranged through Colac Otway Shire.
Signs: Signs are provided right along the trail, but keep your eye out, particularly for directions on and off the gravel road sections.
Signage at Gellibrand Street, Colac
UP INTO THE OTWAYS
The Old Beechy (Colac - Beech Forest - Crowes) railway was one of four narrow gauge government railways in Victoria. Its route shows the special features of narrow gauge mountain railways. The construction used relatively few bridges, relying mainly on earthworks that can still be seen along the route today.
The railway carried loads of timber, lime and potatoes from the Otways and, on returning, generally much smaller loads of groceries, newspapers and the mail to the remote settlements.
Most of the heaviest loads came downhill from the main Beech Forest-Crowes ridge. Hauling these loads up from Gellibrand to Coram before dropping back down to Colac taxed the capabilities of the original NA locomotives.
A heavier articulated Garratt locomotive was introduced in 1926, and a second Garratt came in 1954 when the Moe to Walhalla line closed. The steam-powered NA and Garratt locomotives were the only ones used on the line - upgrading the line to take diesel locomotives was judged too expensive.
THE OLD BEECHY RAIL TRAIL
The Trail commemorates the historical significance of the Colac - Beech Forest - Crowes narrow gauge railway in the development of the western Otways.
The Trail runs on or near the route of the railway, using the original rail formation in many places. It is suitable for cyclists and walkers, the gradient making it enjoyable and scenic. Please note: Some sections are only suitable for mountain bikes.
Trail Etiquette
This rail trail passes through public land with high environmental value and extensive areas of private property. People earning their livelihoods use many of these properties on a daily basis. Please respect their rights and those of other trail users by observing the following.
- Keep to the rail trail
- Do not disturb livestock or machinery
- No fires
- No camping
- No motorbikes or unauthorised vehicles
- Dogs must be on a lead at all times
- Take your rubbish home
The Old Beechy Rail Trail’s Many Friends
After 8 years of planning by local progress associations, volunteers and the Colac Otway Shire, this rail trail became a reality in 2005.
Formed in 2000, the Old Beechy Rail Trail Friends’ Group assists with the maintenance of the trail. To join the Friends’ Group, contact the Colac Otway Shire. Thanks to private landowners who permit public access, including Midway Pty Ltd.
THE BEECHY
The Colac - Beech Forest - Crowes narrow gauge railway, ‘The Beechy’, reduced the isolation of the communities of the western Otways. It brought in supplies and carried out timber and agricultural produce to the broad gauge railway at Colac. The first 48km section reached Beech Forest in 1902 and was extended 22km to Crowes, near Lavers Hill in 1911. Once all-weather roads gave access in the late 1930s the railway declined and finally closed in 1962.
The narrower gauge allowed lighter construction, and tighter curves with fewer bridges and cuttings. While this reduced construction costs, the costs of transferring loads to broad gauge lines ultimately helped make the railway economically unviable.
The narrow gauge railway had rails 2 feet 6 inches (762 mm) apart whereas the main (broad gauge) system had rails 5 feet 3 inches (1,600 mm) apart. Neither could use the other’s tracks.
THE “COFFEE POT” TRAIN
The train, known fondly to locals as the ‘Coffee Pot’, had many official and unofficial stopping places for setting down and picking up passengers. Train staff distributed shopping, medicines and messages to settlers as the little ‘coffee pot’ steamed along at up to 20 mph (32 km/h). The railway played a vital role in reducing the isolation of the west Otways.
Passengers mainly travelled on ‘mixed’ trains (goods trains with passenger carriages attached), except for excursion trains for sports days and picnics.
After opening of the line, the tri-weekly mixed train from Beech Forest arrived here to connect with the mid-morning Melbourne-Warrnambool passenger train. Up until 1929 Beech Forest residents could go to Colac and back as a day trip.
As well as regular goods and mixed trains on the line between 1929 and early 1940s, regular postal motor services brought mail, newspapers and other small consignments to the towns on the line. A Postal Motor was a track gang trolley running as a train to carry mail (and an occasional passenger). With one exception these trolleys were open four-wheeled vehicles powered by a two-stroke motor.
Location
102 Gellibrand Street, Colac 3250 View Map
Web Links
→ Old Beechy Rail Trail (railtrails.org.au)
→ Old Beechy Rail Trail Brochure (PDF)
→ www.colacotway.vic.gov.au/Parks-Recreation/Old-Beechy-Rail-Trail
