O’Keefe Rail Trail – Bendigo to Heathcote

The O’Keefe Rail Trail from Bendigo to Heathcote is 50 kilometres long. Normally I would prefer to divide this distance into two separate rides but there had been bad weather with high winds for the last two days. We were keen to keep to our itinerary, so I found I had committed myself to doing the whole trail in one day. Fortunately I had the backup that if I ran into trouble, my husband Derek would be able to come to my assistance.

Bendigo to Axedale (24 km)

It was a very chilly autumn morning when Derek dropped me at the Bendigo Rowing Club near Lake Weeroona.  From there I made my way north along the Bendigo Creek Trail (another very enjoyable ride) to the start point of the O’Keefe Rail Trail.

After crossing Napier Street, I came to this crossing under the main train line to Melbourne.

The trail passed by some outlying hobby farms of Bendigo and through the bushland which is typical of the region.

It was the end of April and these cream-coloured wattle-like shrubs were flowering alongside the trail.

After thirteen kilometres I came to the bridge at Axe Creek.

There was a pretty picnic spot there so I stopped and drank my thermos coffee while listening to the sounds of the birds.

About a kilometre before I came to the mid-point town of Axedale, I took a slight detour to visit the historic Catholic cemetery enclosed by a very old stone wall.

I had brought my lunch with me, so instead of turning into the town of Axedale, I followed the trail down to the river reserve. This lovely spot was a great place for my picnic lunch.

Axedale to Lake Eppalock (17 km)

As I continued, the trail crossed the Campaspe River

and there was a climb out of the river valley.

From there it was a long straight pedal through the Knowsley State Forest. A marathon had been held there the weekend before and the black and yellow kilometre markers were still there. I was glad I was cycling and not running!

There are many attractive picnic spots along the trail.  This one at the top of a long incline had me puzzling about the milestones. Had they been real milestones retrieved from the railway line or was this art?

The next point of interest was Lake Eppalock, man-made for Bendigo’s water supply.

I liked cycling across this causeway, although the wind was starting to pick up.

Lake Eppalock to Heathcote (13 km)

Only ten kilometres to go! Unfortunately it was mostly uphill. I found the sandy gravel a tiring surface to pedal on. At last I came to Heathcote. The trail seemed to peter out suddenly at the back of the town and I found I had slightly overshot the main street.

Derek had followed my progress on the Friend Locator app. I let him know that I would have a coffee and snack at the Heathcote Wine Hub before cycling the last few hundred metres back to camp. (Derek does not enjoy coffee shops and prefers to sit with the dog by the campfire!)

I had cycled 54 kilometres and climbed 262 metres. I was tired, but really happy that I had completed the trail.

Another very enjoyable rail trail a little closer to Melbourne is the Ballarat Skipton Rail Trail. If you like a bit more of a challenge, the Castlemaine to Maldon Trail is nearby. Alternatively, an easier and shorter rail trail, about 80 kilometres from Heathcote, is the Murchison Rail Trail.