Online Catalogue last updated 8th of November 2025
To enjoy a bike ride without having to worry about sharing the ride with traffic, head for the Ballarat to Skipton Rail Trail.
This is an unsealed trail for walkers and cyclists following the line of the former Ballarat to Skipton railway. The line operated between 1883 and 1985. It was developed as a link between the gold towns west of Ballarat and the surrounding pastoral region. Initially the line out of Ballarat reached Scaresdale, then Linton before it was eventually extended to Skipton.
Whether you're into wide open grasslands, eucalypt forest, historic bridges, attractive nineteenth century towns or just like a few sheep for company, you'll enjoy this trail. The trail was completely resurfaced in 2008, rendering it smooth, but it can get muddy. Information signs at each of the former railway stations tell you what you're seeing as you ride. There are three access points in Ballarat. On the Ring Road as it crosses the Railway line, off Blind Creek Road and off the Avenue of Honour n Cardigan. You can join the trail at any of the settlements along the route. To ride the trail from Ballarat to Skipton and back to Ballarat is a long way. To make a weekend of it, overnight accommodation is available in Smythesdale, Scaresdale, Linton and Skipton.
Code No. 017596, 52 pages, $22.50