Ballarat-Skipton_Rail_Trail
Ballarat–Skipton Rail Trail
Rail trail in Victoria, Australia
The Ballarat–Skipton Rail Trail in western Victoria, Australia, runs 53 kilometres[1] along the old Skipton railway line from western Ballarat, southwest through Haddon, Smythesdale and Pittong to Skipton. The trail was in poor condition for many years before being upgraded and resurfaced in 2008, at a cost of $700,000, funded in roughly equal measure by local, state and federal government. The new surface is "compacted granitic sand". The total length of the trail is 53km including an 8km section from Ballarat railway station to the trailhead.
One major landmark on the route is the historic timber Nimons Bridge at Newtown over which the trail passes. An adjacent dirt road also permits a close inspection of the structure.