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- Girgarre is a dynamic small town with a big heart
- The Girgarre Farmers Produce and Craft Market is held on the second Sunday of each month at the Progress Park Reserve
- Girgarre’s famous annual Moosic Muster music festival
- Experience Victoria’s dairy country.
Nearby Attractions
- Girgarre’s famous fresh orange juice, pressed on site, is a must-try!
- With up to 120 stalls, the Girgarre Market provides visitors and locals with the chance to sample the finest produce from the Goulburn Valley region alongside a range of artisan goods, arts and crafts. Second Sunday of the month.
- The Girgarrie Botanic Gardens, a unique display of indigenous plants from across the Campaspe area
- Montevideo Maru tragedy July 1942 mural at Stanhope.
Last updated: 10 May 2024
The trail is light sandy gravel, that is a bit narrow in places.
The trail from Stanhope to Girgarre is straight and flat as it traverse prime dairying country.
- Starts at the northern end of Stanhope at “Stanhope Park” with toilets.
- Ends at the former station site in the centre of Girgarre
Stanhope is small regional town with basic facilities for visitors.
Girgarre is smaller with limited facilities for visitors. A cafe near the rail trail is now open Wednesday to Sunday.
Artworks and toilets near the start of the rail trail at Stanhope. (2019)
![Typical scenery along the rail trail with recent plantings by Landcare to have a more bio diverse and attractive rail trail in the future [2022]](https://www.railtrails.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/V48-257-Stanhope-to-Girgarre-Landcare-planting-2022-06-NATURE-300x225.jpg)
Typical scenery along the rail trail with recent plantings by Landcare to have a more bio diverse and attractive rail trail in the future [2022]
![One of the small bridge on the rail trail [2022].](https://www.railtrails.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/V48-257-Stanhope-to-Girgarre-bridge-between-Mason-and-Morrissey-Road-2022-06-300x225.jpg)
One of the small bridge on the rail trail [2022].
![Riding between Stanhope and Girgarre [2021]](https://www.railtrails.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/V48-256-Stanhope-to-Girgarre-2021-11-IMG-8651-300x225.jpg)
Riding between Stanhope and Girgarre [2021]
![The station site at Girgarre [Garry Long 2021]](https://www.railtrails.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/V48-305-Girgarre-2021-10-27_132251-300x225.jpg)
The station site at Girgarre [Garry Long 2021]
![The trail in Progress Park [Sandra McDonald 2017]](https://www.railtrails.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/V48-304-Girgarre-2017-11-Rail-Trail-4-300x169.jpg)
The trail in Progress Park [Sandra McDonald 2017]
![The beginnings of a native botanic garden at Girgarre [2023]](https://www.railtrails.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/V48-300-Girgarre-Gargarro-Botanic-Gardens-2023-06-300x225.jpg)
The beginnings of a native botanic garden at Girgarre [2023]
![Gargarro Cafe, not the sort you expect to find in a small regional town [2023]](https://www.railtrails.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/V48-300-Girgarre-Gargarro-cafe-2023-06-300x225.jpg)
Gargarro Cafe, not the sort you expect to find in a small regional town [2023]
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Contact Rail Trails Australia
To contact us about this rail trail, email vic@railtrails.org.au
Background Information
Traditional owners
We acknowledge the Ngurrai-illam-Wurrung people, the traditional custodians of the land and waterways on which the rail trail is built.
Development and future of the rail trail
The local committee constructed the first 2km section in 2015 and completed it to Stanhope in 2022.
Their long term plan is to extend the rail trail all the way to Rushworth where it will join the Murchison to Rushworth Rail Trail.
Rail line history
The rail line to Girgarre opened in 1917 and closed back to Stanhope in 1975. The line completely closed in 1987.
The local committee constructed the first 2km section in 2015 and are now planning to extend the rail trail to Stanhope in the near future.
Their long term plan is to extend the rail trail all the way to Rushworth where it will join the Murchison to Rushworth Rail Trail.
Girgarre Stanhope Rail Trail Tree Planting Day
Posted: 13/08/23
Girgarre Stanhope Land Protection group had a perfect day for a tree planting working bee ...
More...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...Girgarre to Stanhope Rail Trail nearing completion
Posted: 30/01/22
One of the bridges under construction, showing the trail ...
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Nearby Trails
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O’Keefe Rail Trail
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4 reviews of “Girgarre – Stanhope Rail Trail”
What a surprise it is to arrive into the Girgarre station area with the assortment of artworks, station and trolley shed and congratulations to all who dreamt this area up. This 5.8 flat rail trail goes between trees and grass lands with an odd grassland ride for the first 200 meters in Stanhope and could ideally be extended 20km further to Rushworth however it would be a great ride for kids in the current format. I'm giving it 4 for just the effort involved at Girgarre alone.
A short but interesting little track. In the park at Grigarre there are musical 'instruments' made out of farming items and a mini train platform. It is worth a ride around the park just for that. At the Town Hall there is camping with toilets and showers, just leave a donation.
The distance makers on the trail are identified by the number of spikes on a rail plate. There are some tight turns off and onto the trail as it detours to the gravel road to go over the canals.
The track ends suddenly at the edge of Stanhope then sort of picks up a bit in the grass reserve into town where the final marker is.
Rode the northern part of this trail from Girgarre to the site of a new bridge under construction south of Mason Road. This is one of tow bridges that are being built to finalise the the southern part of this rail trail. This is a pleasant rail trail with treed shady sections and open farmland sections. Care is needed when turning bends on loose gravel to detour the straight route in order to cross irrigation channels.
when the southern section is completed the rail trail will provide a safe and enjoyable route for bike riders, walkers, joggers, horse riders etc to travel between Girgarre and Stanhope.
I rode this track yesterday along with the Rushworth track. This track is in good condition although there is some very loose gravel on the sharp corners where the track crosses a couple of canals. If this track can be completed down to Stanhope it will be an excellent ride. At present it is too short cycling but a nice walk.