Rail Trails News

Old Railway at Bonnie Doon (Vic)

Posted: 18/05/2000

The abutments of the old road bridge can now be seen by the creek while the "new" brides stand high above the empty lake. Alexander McCooke

The remains of the old railway bridge normally lie at the bottom of the lake. An old railway cuting is in the background. Alexander McCooke

With the water levels in Lake Eildon so low and the Brankeet Arm of the lake empty, a rather unusual "railtrail" has emerged. The current road and rail (now railtrail) bridges at Bonnie Doon were built when Lake Eildon was enlarged in 1955. The original site of the Bonnie Doon is now exposed along with the route of the old road and rail line. The old railway can be followed from the site of the old township to where it crossed the Brankeet Creek - now a creek once more.

Little evidence of the old township remains but the sites of the old road and rail bridges can be seen. To find the bridges, follow the old road from the plaque commemorating the old township (signposted from the town centre). Information on other buildings exposed around Lake Eildon including the Glen Hope Homestead is available from Mansfield Tourist Information.

Update, November 2000: the water level has risen in Lake Eildon and this "trail" is no longer visible.