Warrnambool to Port Fairy Rail Trail

Follows the former Warrnambool-Port Fairy branch line (opened 1890, closed 1977), a rolling, easy ride along Victoria's south-west coast passing through the historic Irish township of Koroit, with glimpses of the Southern Ocean near Warrnambool and sculptures dotted along the route. Opened officially in May 2012. All three towns - Warrnambool, Koroit and Port Fairy - offer a wide range of facilities. IMPORTANT: the section from Warrnambool to Illowa does not follow the original rail alignment (that section of the old rail reservation was used for a Princes Highway realignment instead), and signage through this stretch is minimal - worth extra attention to navigation here. IMPORTANT trip-planning note: this trail has an active resurfacing project underway on the Port Fairy-Illowa section (new limestone surface), with progressive section closures reported - check the trail committee's own site (portfairytowarrnamboolrailtrail.com.au) for current closure status before setting out. Watch for headwinds between Koroit and Port Fairy. If there's been heavy rain, check the Warrnambool-Koroit section for flooding before departing.

Warrnambool to Koroit (approx. 20km): starts near Warrnambool's Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village/Visitor Information Centre area, initially on-road/realigned path (not the original corridor) through to Illowa, then onto the genuine rail formation, passing wetlands on the edge of the Southern Ocean and skirting the Tower Hill State Game Reserve (an inactive volcano). Koroit to Port Fairy (approx. 18km): descends gently through farmland and native vegetation, finishing at Regent St, Port Fairy. Koroit itself sits roughly at the midpoint, with the old station building now housing toilets and a picnic area.