Shelley to Tallangatta by Bicycle

Shelley to Tallangatta by Bicycle

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Posted 2021-06-10 by Janellefollow


The branch rail line between Wodonga and Cudgewa was officially closed in 1981 after many years of transporting goods, cattle and materials for the Snowy Mountains scheme. Currently, at 80kms, there are plans for it to be extended to 112km.



This section of the High Country Rail Trail is a mostly downhill run through peaceful forests and past historic timber trestle rail bridges. The reward is crisp fresh air, stunning vistas and changing landscapes that range from tall secluded forests, through farmland and alongside a busy highway with views of Lake Hume.



The trip is 44km one way and best tackled from Shelley (elevation 779m) unless you are a masochistic hill climber. The surface of the path is quite rough and not for the faint-hearted. I must admit I gave my brakes a decent workout and my braver 'other half' got away from me.



Take your time to soak up the sounds and smells of nature as well as stopping to read the interpretive boards at the historic bridges. You may be lucky enough to spot some wildlife such as wallabies and deer and there is plenty of birdsong. We did not come across any other cyclists but did meet up with some walkers at one of the easily accessed bridges.



There are some sections that require dismounting in order to maneuver through farm gates and it is not suitable for children as you need to ride on the verge of the Murray Valley Highway to navigate past the unusable Boggy Creek Bridge.



The trip is well signposted with distance markers and informative signage but the surface could do with a bit more attention. It is worth noting there are no facilities along this part of the rail trail, so bring plenty of water and food and be prepared to use an alfresco toilet. There is a pub that serves counter lunches at Koetong but it is not directly on the path and the way there is not signposted.



A personal highlight of the journey, aside from a sense of achievement, was the quirky sculptures crafted by volunteers from recycled materials.

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#escape_the_city
#cycling
#attractions
%wnalburywodonga
95888 - 2023-06-12 02:28:11

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