Bass Coast Rail Trail
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The Bass Coast Rail Trail is a Rail trail located along the former Wonthaggi line, the trail starts at Anderson Station and finishes shortly after Wonthaggi, in the Bass Coast Shire of Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. The trail is 16km long and travels from Anderson heading towards the coast down hill to Kilcunda, heading along coastal sand dunes into the open farmland surrounding Wonthaggi.
The original rail line opened in 1910, being used for the tansport of coal from Kilcunda and Wonthaggi, and local agricultural produce, as well as for public transport. The line was closed in 1978.
The trail near Wonthaggi is packed gravel and features the heritage listed Wonthaggi station, and the historic Central Mine Reserve. Passing through flat agricultural fields, the trail is maintained much less with grass being allowed to overgrow the path. The trail uses a few small bridges to cross the Powlett River and tributaries.
The rail trail at Kilcunda is built on the coastal sand dunes and incorporates a landmark trestle bridge over Bourne creek. Path users have panoramic scenic views of the Bass Strait coast and the Wonthaggi wind farm erected during 2005. From Kilcunda to Anderson the trail gains 40 metres in height as it winds up into the hills through farming country, with the gravel path being overgrown with several gates to negotiate.
[edit] List of Stations and attractions on the trail
- Anderson Station
- Kilcunda Station
- Kilcunda Trestle Bridge over Bourne Creek
- Dalyston Station
- Branch off towards the former Dudley Area
- State Mine Station, the trail passes through the location, however isnt officially marked.
- Wonthaggi Station.
