Location:
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Public Transport:
Suitable for:
- A short, easy, flat trail with an asphalt surface centred around the small town of Dookie that provides good views of farmland
- Accessible, suitable for most people
- Dookie is a small farming town nestled among low hills between Shepparton and Benalla
Nearby Attractions
- Village atmosphere with coffee shop and pub.
- Nearby agricultural college
- Mt Major walking track
- Tallis Wines cellar door and Correa Rock walk.
Last updated: 13 December 2023
Relatively short trail, traversing classic Australian farming landscape.
The start of the trail just to the east of the large grain silos is not hard to find in the small town of Dookie. The trail extends both ways from this point. There are toilets here.
Options
- Marie St to Treacy Rd along the rail trail (5.5km)
- Treacy Rd to Marie St via Chateau Rd (8.7km)
- Treacy Rd to Marie St via McCormack Rd, Wrens Quarry-Dookie Rd and McDonald Rd (14.7km)
Section Guides
Section A: Dookie-Treacy Rd (5km)
- The trail heads north through open farmland with rolling hills in the distance.
- The wide, sealed surface makes it accessible to all, and it fits in with a system of trails being built in the area
- Volunteer groups have installed interpretive signage, historical markers and a shelter
- Revegetation efforts are paying off, and there is a birdwatcher’s logbook to record sightings
Section B: Dookie toward Cosgrove (3.2km)
- The trail runs west toward Cosgrove and Shepparton, finishing at Conway Rd.
- It is of a similar standard to Section A.
![Rest area at the current western end of the rail trail at Conway Rd. The railway line may be recommissioned in the future [Peter McManus 2021]](https://www.railtrails.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/V49-107-Conway-Rd-seat-2021-08-IMG_0063-300x216.jpg)
Rest area at the current western end of the rail trail at Conway Rd. The railway line may be recommissioned in the future [Peter McManus 2021]
It is hoped to extend the rail trail to Cosgrove in the near future
![Cycling past the grain silos at Dookie [Peter McManus 2020]](https://www.railtrails.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/V49-171-Dookie-GrainCorp-Terminal-2020-12-IMG_2908-300x238.jpg)
Cycling past the grain silos at Dookie [Peter McManus 2020]
If the trail doesn't give you enough exercise then this equipment at the trailhead can. (2019)
All ages enjoying the trail (Leiticia Harmer 2011)
![Cycling at dusk [Serena Hunt 2014]](https://www.railtrails.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/V49-161-Dookie-at-sunset-dookierail-300x169.jpg)
Cycling at dusk [Serena Hunt 2014]
Railway mileage post between Dookie and Yabba South. (2019)
Local primary school students also benefit (Lorraine Cairns 2010)
![Numerous interpretive signs provide interesting background to the region [2019]](https://www.railtrails.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/V49-163-Dookie-signs-2019-03-6920-300x292.jpg)
Numerous interpretive signs provide interesting background to the region [2019]
Picnic shelter 2.5km from Dookie (Peter McManus 2017)
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Information and Links
The trail is managed by the City of Creater Shepparton. Refer to their website below to report issues.
- City of Greater Shepparton website
- Dookie Rail Trail brochure (PDF) (City of Greater Shepparton)
Contact Rail Trails Australia
To contact us about this rail trail, email vic@railtrails.org.au
Background Information
Traditional owners
We acknowledge the Yorta Yorta people, the traditional custodians of the land and waterways on which the rail trail is built.
Development and future of the rail trail
Dookie residents formed the Friends of Dookie Rail Trail group to encourage the City of Greater Shepparton to lease this section of the rail corridor, and the trail was completed in 2010.
The remainder of the former branch line follows a quiet road to Katamatite; there are no plans to build this section at present.
Stage 2 of the Dookie Rail Trail 7km southwest to Cosgrove, alongside the active rail line, was half completed in 2020 and discussions are underway to extend it toward Shepparton.
Rail line history
The branch line from Dookie north to Katamatite was built as a tramway by Yarrawonga Shire in 1890 and taken over by Victorian Railways in 1892. It closed in 1986 and the rails were removed shortly afterward. The line from Shepparton to Dookie is still open for grain trains but has not been used for many years.
Paul Baker returns to Northern Victoria and rides three trails in one day
Posted: 18/06/23
We recently featured Paul Baker riding the O’Keefe Rail Trail which was his 29th ...
More...Central Victorian Rail Trails feature in Paul Baker’s latest rides
Posted: 06/06/23
Paul Baker, an enthusiastic rider who is aiming to ride every rail trail in Victoria ...
More...Dookie Rail Trail Official Launch
Posted: 14/10/11
Peter McManus, DRT Coordinator, at the Lemnos/Cosgrove Rd ...
More...Dookie Trail is now open (VIC) (update)
Posted: 25/04/10
Dookie students out enjoying their new rail trail. Photo ...
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Nearby Trails
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Northern Victoria
10 km
Girgarre – Stanhope Rail Trail
200km north of Melbourne
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Murray to Mountains Rail Trail
250 km northeast of Melbourne
128 km
Great Victorian Rail Trail
90 km north of Melbourne
134 km
Culcairn – Corowa Rail Trail
520 km southwest of Sydney
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Lockington to Kotta
198km north of Melbourne
O’Keefe Rail Trail
East of Bendigo, 150 km from Melbourne
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8 reviews of “Dookie Rail Trail”
This is another nice little trail in a small village. We checked out the north section, which mainly runs between a shady avenue of trees most of the way. It would be good to see it continue on further to make it a longer ride.
The short section towards Shepparton is a rail side trail. The tracks are still in situ, maybe there is a chance of reopening the line.
Dookie is a nice little town with a very large antique store and coffee shop.
A lovely little trail. We parked in town and did the north section which has lots of signs and markers covering the settlement of the area as well as some art work in the paddock. In town there are a couple of painted small silos and a lovely green grass park to look around. Heading out to the west the gravel path travels beside the railway track which is complete and in good condition.
Thanks Dookie, you have really got into the spirit of rail trails and made it more interesting.
I rode this trail yesterday and it was for the most part in good condition. Much of it is paved and the rest is covered in good quality fine topping. This is quite unusual. There is good signage and a defined entry point.
I have ridden around 8 trails this week and this is by far the best.
It’s four years since we rode this rail trail and wow, it has improved! The trees have all grown and more have been planted. As well as all the interesting things referred to in our last comment (21/4/2015) this trail now has a pamphlet box at the start, a fitness centre (outdoor gym), bronze plaques at two historical sites (a whistle post & a mile marker) as well as the new, magnificent, historical, information signs. (The first of these signs is at the old station site, near the gardens, on the embankment.) Along the trail there is a receptacle, with a book and pen, to encourage riders to record their wildlife sightings. There’s more to see in the gardens at the start of the trail. There’s an old distance marker there and a working town clock (still chimes) and the four corner posts of its tower are made from railway tracks. The Friends of the rail trail, Dookie Lions’ Club, Dookie Men’s Shed and many others have worked together to make this trail, although only 5km, one of the best. This is definitely a five-star rail trail!
April, 2015 by Wenkle
The Dookie Rail Trail is only 5.5 kms. long – so far – but so picturesque and interesting! We have ridden it several times and the surrounding hills and country side change with the seasons – and often look like a patchwork quilt. This Trail is especially good for beginners and families, as it’s not too hard for young children and it’s not too far between things to look out for. The Trail starts in Dookie, at a lovely park with amenities, playground, bbqs and picnic facilities. The Trail is flanked with native trees, goes through a cutting and over 2 bidges, has distance posts (at 1 km. intervals) and many seats. It now also boasts a shelter, built in an old railways theme, as are the distance posts. There are plans to extend this Trail to Cosgrove and also for historical, flora & fauna signage. When the much anticipated Cosgrove section is constructed, no doubt the many Dookie Rail Trail enthusiasts will make riding in the opposite direction as interesting as this first section. We thoroughly recommend this Rail Trail to everyone to either ride or walk!
Rode the Dookie trail late Saturday 13th December 2014, best time to ride this trail as the setting sun adds great colour to the surrounding farmland – especially given everything is so yellow and dry because of summer. Very short trail – and just ends with no highlight. I would recommend taking one of the road options back, to get a good feel for the country side.
Passing through the area I decided to check out this short Rail Trail. A neat little trail with plenty of views of the surrounding hills and wheat fields. Possibly not the trail that you would travel especially to do, but worth the effort if you are in the Shepparton area and combine it with other rides and trails of the district. The trail finishes around Yabba South, and it would be good if it could continue to Katamatite. I think that people would then travel the trail just to find out what the names of Dookie, Katamatite, Youanmite and Yabba are all about. They all sound very interesting. History is required at Dookie to show users what the Railway was all about in the district. Please continue the work, it should pay off.
Gary
My hubby and I just did the Gorgeous Dookie Rail Trail,
The early morning air was fresh and smelled of the recently harvested wheat, a real treat for the senses.
The trail itself was both very relaxing and interesting it felt like we were just meandering through the past as we had freshly harvested fields on both sides, the ones disappearing over the hills looked particularly lovely and beckoned us to see where they ended.
At the end of the trail we followed a suggested circuit route and found ourselves experiencing a real sense of adventure, passing tucked in farm houses and friendly farmers. The down hill section at the end was great fun, though there was a few cars (very courteous)
Our morning ended back under the big old peppercorn tree at the start of the ride. We will come again when the Antique store and the hotel are open.. Al and Jules