O'Keefe Rail Trail

Named after Andrew O'Keefe, a Bendigo rail pioneer, this trail follows the former Wandong-Heathcote-Sandhurst railway (built from 1887) through box ironbark forest, rich farmland and picturesque waterways between Bendigo and Heathcote. Built in stages - Bendigo to Axedale first, then a major 2010-2015 upgrade added bridges and extended the trail 26km further to Heathcote, officially opened December 2015. Includes the Axe Creek Suspension Bridge (1993) and a pedestrian/cycle bridge over the Campaspe River at Axedale (2014), plus a short tunnel. Merges seamlessly into the Bendigo Creek Trail near Lake Weeroona at the Bendigo end, so it's easy to extend the ride further into the city. Heathcote itself is an attractive town with several accommodation options, a brewery, quality shiraz wines and the nearby Pink Cliffs Geological Reserve. IMPORTANT trip-planning note directly from the City of Greater Bendigo: plan around the distance between drinking fountains in Heathcote and Axedale, and prepare accordingly. A long-term feasibility study has looked at extending the trail further from Heathcote to Wallan via Kilmore, and on to Melbourne's trail network, but this is not yet built.

Bendigo to Axedale (approx. 21km): the original, longer-established section, generally good surface, passes a new rest stop near Peppercorn Park Reserve off Longlea Lane. Axedale to Heathcote (approx. 26km): added in the 2010-2015 upgrade with new bridges and creek crossings - previously a rougher, more basic section with many low-level creek crossings before the upgrade. Finishes in the attractive town of Heathcote.