We loved our camp at Dando’s campground in the forest near Gellibrand. We were in the Otway ranges, approximately 150 kilometres west of Melbourne. The plan was to ride the Old Beechy Rail Trail over two days.
Day One – Beech Forest to Gellibrand
In line with the Uncool Cycling Club’s general principle of “Why go up if you can go down?”, I asked Derek to drop me at Beech Forest – the highest altitude on the trail. The plan was to roll down the trail to Gellibrand and then ride from there to our camp.
The trail started smoothly enough and the gentle ride through the forest was beautiful.
At the former station of Ditchley, the track dropped suddenly into a steep gully. It looked so out of character with the previous section of the trail that I wondered whether somebody might have been playing tricks with the signs. As I was on my own I was hesitant to take this track and continued on Old Beech Forest Road. There were beautiful views to the north.
Rejoining the Old Beechy Rail Trail at Dinmont
At Dinmont station the track emerged from its detour and I joined the trail again. It was pure joy rolling gently down through the beautiful forest and listening to the sounds of the birds.
About twelve kilometres from Beech Forest I came to this sign.
It was a shame to have to leave the track and take the road but the sound of heavy logging trucks left me in no doubt that I should obey the sign. Old Beech Forest Road was beautiful too and I only saw one vehicle as I continued to roll down.
When I arrived at the outskirts of Gellibrand I took the Gellibrand East Road and rode a further twelve kilometres through very pretty countryside and forest to our camp.
Day Two – Colac to Gellibrand
Derek dropped me at Colac Railway Station. The first eleven kilometres included a very steep climb and were mostly on quiet country roads. After Barangarook, the bushland sections were beautiful.
At Birnam, the trail left the original railway alignment and took another steep ascent through bushland, eventually descending into farmland.
After twenty-eight kilometres I arrived at Gellibrand.
While my second day on the trail had been pretty, I had found some of the early climbs out of Colac quite tough. I was glad to see Derek waiting for me outside the cafe.
The Camperdown Timboon Rail Trail is another enjoyable rail trail nearby. A bit further afield are the Port Fairy Warrnambool Rail Trail and the Ballarat Skipton Rail Trail.
