Lilydale to Yering Rail Trail
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Stage 1A of the Lilydale to Yarra Glen rail trail has recently been opened to walkers and cyclists. Stage 1A is from Lilydale to Yering Station, a distance of 7 kms.
The trail follows the disused rail line from Lilydale to Healesville, which closed in the 1980s.
The trail begins at Beresford Road adjacent to the Warburton Trail. Opposite the start is Creek Road, a short no through road which offers parking while using the trail. Also at this location is a water re-fill station for man and beast alike.
The path is wide, flat and paved with Castella toppings, making it an all-weather trail.
The trail crosses two roads, Nelson Road in Lilydale and Station Street at Coldstream. At both these two crossings, there are gates to ensure cyclists have to dismount to proceed. A good safety initiative.
In the early part of the trail, you pass the sports fields of Mt. Lilydale Mercy College, and on the opposite side of the trail, you pass several large ponds of the Yarra Valley Water purification plant. Many ducks were swimming on the water and several straw-necked Ibis were 'grazing' on the grassy verges.
Most of the trail is straight which was fitting for a train line. It has a few gentle curves, so you can't see what awaits you around them.
Where the former train lines were elevated wooden fences protect both walkers and cyclists from a sudden descent.
As you approach the former Coldstream Station, some of the original rail lines are still there as it the remnant of the station platform.
There is limited parking at the Coldstream entry.
Flora wise most of the vegetation is native grasses, some mature gum trees and several old pines, and many weeds.
In two places the trail passes through a stand of poplar trees, which would offer a cool respite in summer and a picturesque hue in autumn.
Fauna wise, a rabbit was spotted in the distance sitting on the path and a small mob of kangaroos were sighted in a trail-side paddock.
Many species of birds were noted. Magpies were the most prolific.
Only one wattle bird was sighted, but a few Indian Mynas were flying around as well as several mudlarks.
A pleasant surprise was sighting a black-shouldered kite, perched high upon a dead branch.
I made the walk in two stages. The weekend walk saw cyclists outnumber walkers, with many family groups cycling together.
On the second weekday stage, I only saw two cyclists.
Surprisingly I saw no dogs, although there was ample evidence that both dogs and horses had plied the path.
In the very near future, if not already, this trail will become very popular as it is not overly long, particularly for cyclists, is very easily navigated, and offers interesting scenery along the way.
All the above will double when the Yering to Yarra Glen section will be completed in December 2021, as the trail will cross several small trestle bridges as the rail trail is elevated above the landscape, due to frequent flooding.
What would have been a fantastic train journey will be a fantastic walk or cycle.
#outdoor
#lilydale
#free
#cycling
#coldstream
#travel
#walks
#yarra_valley
#yering
%wnmelbourne
160473 - 2023-06-14 17:45:47