Due to staff shortages within our Building Department, there may be delays in the processing of some building documentation and approval of permits. We will endeavor to maintain service delivery as best we can, and appreciate your patience and understanding.
The Beechworth to Yackandandah Rail Trail is a 31km sealed trail meandering through the spectacular Indigo Shire.
When complete, early in 2023, the rail trail will be a world class cycling adventure, attracting visitors and cyclists from across the nation and beyond.
The trail is largely open for all to enjoy, with only one section left to complete.
We’re continuing to make progress on the Construction of section seven of the Beechworth to Yackandandah Rail Trail along Kibell Lane. These works have been weather-dependent but the recent sunshine has allowed for some steady progress on both the on and off-road components. Weather permitting, these works are expected to be completed over the coming weeks.
Please continue to be mindful of the worksite environment and adhere to all safety signage.
Underpass now open
Construction on this important link of the trail commenced in early February 2023 and was completed early April 2023.
While site works are now complete, please be mindful of your speed as you descend into the underpass as it is quite a steep decline.
Construction Progress
In Beechworth this part of the Rail Trail commences at Peach Drive, linking up with the existing Murray to Mountains Rail Trail through to the start of Kibell Lane. The trail is 2 kilometres long, 2.5 metres wide up to the Havelock Road crossing, and then 2 metres from this point on.
This section of trail provides a new link through and into town via Lake Sambell, and is close to the Baarmutha Sports Park, Beechworth Golf Course and Beechworth Mountain Bike Park.
This section of trail covers almost 7kms between Britton Lane, east of Yackandandah to Osbornes Flat.
The trail travels along the beautiful Yackandandah Creek which flows all-year-round. This area has natural beauty, as well as historic mining and rural values.
This is a short 1.6km section near Wooragee off-road, but within the existing road reserve. Eventually, this section of trail will connect to Beechworth via the old Kibell Lane railway reserve.
This section of the trail is now open for use however we are still finalising the signage, so users are advised to take care on the new surface.
This section is within beautiful rural landscape and passes near some existing wineries and tourism sites.
This part of the trail is a seven kilometre section between Wooragee village and the turn-off to the Yackandandah roundabout, however there is currently no access to the underpass and Yackandandah Road, so users will need stop at the road closed signs and return the way they came.
This section is from the roundabout/underpass at the Beechworth-Yackandandah turn off and is an enjoyable 5 kilometre ride rolling downhill into Yackandandah township.
The first part of this section travels along the old railway line track through Commissioners Creek Reserve.
The old railway reserve at the bottom of Kibell Lane is now being used to link the rail trail between Beechworth and Wooragee via Star Lane and then along Fanning Lane to join the existing constructed trail. (refer map below)
This will add two kilometres of old railway reserve to the project which will have a total of 10 kilometres of ‘rail trail’.
The trail was previously planned through Magpie Creek Historic Reserve, however the cost along with challenging landscape and historic features prevented construction. This historic area is a public reserve and can be access via Birtles Road in Wooragee.
The trail will follow the historical rail line for 4.9 kilometres through the forest and then meeting the rural landscape.
The tender for construction of this section was released in October 2022 and approved by Council at its February 2023 Meeting.
We commenced construction of this section in late April 2023, which includes the continuation of the off-road trail and a significant upgrade to the Kibell Lane old railway formation to create a shared on-road space for multiple users. Subject to weather, the works are expected to be completed by the end of September and while this important link will remain open during construction, please mindful of the worksite environment and adhere to all safety signage.
This is currently being planned, please check back here for another update soon.
See a map of the rail trail route.
Keen to see what all the progress looks like? Check out our image gallery.
See some frequently asked questions about the project.
Click here to read about the newly opened Indigo Epic Trail