Location:
Length:
Surface:
Start / End:
Public Transport:
Suitable for:
Potential rail trail between Culcairn in southern NSW and Corowa on the Murray River, which would link up with existing rail trails in northern Victoria to create multi-destination cycling experiences.
The trail would follow a long-disused railway line. Remnants of the line and bridges are still visible along the route, which includes the historic town of Walla Walla.
The local council in Corowa (Federation Council) has paved 2km of the trail, from Corowa station to Bullecourt Road. This section is open for use.
Nearby Attractions
Only a short section in Corowa is currently open. It is one of 17 potential rail trails in NSW.
- Picturesque rural town of Culcairn, on the main Sydney-Melbourne railway line
- Historic towns of Walla Walla and Burrumbuttock
- Corowa on the Murray River is a major tourist centre in the area
- The trail would link up with northern Victorian rail trails in the Wangaratta and Wodonga areas
- Potential to extend the trail further east from Culcairn to Holbrook on the Hume Highway, a distance of 29 km.
Last updated: 20 November 2022
This 76 km railway branched off the main southern line at Culcairn. The long-disused rail corridor runs southwest to Corowa through agricultural areas and light-timbered country. The final 2km from Bullecourt Road to Corowa station site is paved and open for use.
In addition to Walla Walla, the towns of Brocklesby, Burrumbuttock and Balldale are on the trail route.
Important note: This rail trail is not yet fully open. The disused railway corridor north of Bullecourt Road in Corowa is owned and managed by Transport NSW and much of it passes through private property. Trespassing on the corridor is prohibited.
Corowa Railway station (2014)
Culcairn looking North (2014)
Culcairn Station - main southern line
Culcairn (2014)
Approaching Walla Walla
Along the way...
Burrumbuttock Station
Balldale Railway (2014)
Brocklesby Trestle (2014)
Timber trestle bridge 2014
Do you know of a bike hire or transportation service on this rail trail that should appear here? If so, let us know at admin@railtrails.org.au.
Information and Links
Information about the railway line between Culcairn and Corowa:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corowa_railway_line
This rail trail has been proposed by local groups but remains in very early stages of development.
Contact Rail Trails Australia
To contact us about this rail trail, email nsw@railtrails.org.au
Background Information
Traditional Owners
We acknowledge the Wiradjuri people, the traditional custodians of the land and waterways on which the rail trail will be built.
Railway History
The line was opened on 3 October 1892 and its main purpose was the transport of wheat. Passenger services ceased in 1975, a time when the widespread closure of country branch-line passenger services occurred. The section from Corowa to Brocklesby was decommissioned in January 1989; the last train ran on that section in January 1988. The section from Brocklesby to Culcairn was decommissioned in December 1991.
Nearby Trails
Murray to Mountains Rail Trail
250 km northeast of Melbourne
116 km
High Country Rail Trail
300 km northeast of Melbourne
80 km
Dookie Rail Trail
North East Victoria, 220km from Melbourne
8 km
Wagga Wagga to Ladysmith (Riverina Highlands) Rail Trail
460 km south-west of Sydney
Tumbarumba to Rosewood (Riverina Highlands) Rail Trail
470km south of Sydney, 460km north of Melbourne
21 km
Nearby Trails
Murray to Mountains Rail Trail
250 km northeast of Melbourne
116 km
High Country Rail Trail
300 km northeast of Melbourne
80 km
Dookie Rail Trail
North East Victoria, 220km from Melbourne
8 km
Wagga Wagga to Ladysmith (Riverina Highlands) Rail Trail
460 km south-west of Sydney
Tumbarumba to Rosewood (Riverina Highlands) Rail Trail
470km south of Sydney, 460km north of Melbourne
21 km
4 reviews of “Culcairn – Corowa Rail Trail”
At just 2km, this is more for access into town rather than requiring a visit… unless you combine it with the one across the border.
This trail shows what can be done to provide central park facilities with the history of the railway. Most of the rails are still there and the park has been leveled to the top of the rails whilst the turntable area remains in situ.
For a decent ride, start at Bullecourt R (the NE rail trail end towards Culcairn) and cycle back through the park and down to the single lane bridge that crosses the Murray. Take the first left turn into a cul-de-saq to get onto a shared path to the start of the 9km trail from Wahgunyah to Rutherglen and back. Come back over the ford just after the end of the rail trail at Wahgunyah and ride up the Murray River on the Victorian side until you reach Federation Way, then it's back to where you started and about 27km all up. Enjoy
Visited and only walked a section in Corowa,I will say however there is a great shared path between Corowa and Mulwala
I have just been working in the Culcairn area for several days. I think the Culcairn to Holbrook section would be an excellent starting point of development for this trail. Just 27km makes it short enough for those of lower fitness, and long enough for regular riders to make the trip to visit. The valley that the rail line snakes through is thoroughly beautiful.
This would be a great railway to turn into a rail trail – I for one would ride it regularly if it was converted to a rail trail. If the Culcairn – Holbrook line was also converted to a rail trail then 3 major highways would be linked by it: Hume Hwy, Olympic Hwy and Riverina Hwy, as well as the rail service to through Culcairn.