Lakes and Craters Holiday Park Camperdown is located on a ridge line high above the township, offering panoramic views of Lake Bullen Merri and Lake Gnotuk. A perfect location to set off for a cycling adventure to Port Campbell via the rail trail to Timboon. 

The weather, while moody was clearing as five of us set off on our fully loaded touring bikes to camp at Port Campbell . We stared out on a steep back road with exhilarating downhill runs through farmland to Cross Forest Road, before turning left onto Naroghid Road and the start of the Camperdown to Timboon rail trail. 

Cycling into a blustery south-westerly wind on a lumpy gravel surface was invigorating as the sweet aroma of eucalyptus, melaleuca, and stringy bark hung in the air while the trees formed a shady avenue. Leaf litter, twigs and branches covered the trail making for some technical riding. We often had to stop to dislodge sticks and branches from our wheels. 

The trail opens up to meet the dairy town of Cobden, then continues through the golf course, over the par 3 /14th  hole, which was quite an unexpected novelty. 

There’s a pleasant mix of farmland and native vegetation between Cobden and Glenfyne. Cycling in good conditions we spend some time searching the trees for well camouflaged koalas, without success, however we do manage to see swamp wallabies and echidnas, yellow robins and black cockatoos.  

New bridgeworks have recently been completed south of Glenfyne however the bush here is thick and difficult to cycle in parts, you will need to dismount and walk or push your bike up and over a couple of gullies, as the track narrows and closes in around the decaying old trestle bridges. A rope slung out along the path between tress acts as a makeshift support to steady riders and their bikes.  

At times the trail was almost completely overgrown, with blackberries and tree branches, before opening up onto the old railway itself, which made for fun riding over the old sleepers between the tracks, dodging tree roots as we went.

My favourite part of the ride would have to be the last 5 Kilometres cycling into Timboon from the Curdies River Bridge, which saw us peddling amongst a cathedral of giant river gums and Blackwood trees with crimson rosellas criss-crossing our path along with bell miners, fairy wrens and grey fantails who tweeted our arrival in Timboon.  

After stopping for lunch in Timboon, we rejoined the trail for the ride down to Port Campbell. Cycling through a mix of farmland and remnant bush on a more predictable gravel surface, covered in flies and accompanied by common brown butterflies until we reached the outskirts of Port Campbell, where the trail became a concrete path that paralled the winding road down into the town and caravan park, where we set up our tents for the evening, enjoying a beautiful ocean sunset. 

After a comfortable night’s sleep and breakfast in town, we cycled back to Camperdown, only this time we took a little longer on purpose wanting to savour the sights along with a more friendly tailwind. 

The climb back up to Lakes and Craters Holiday Park was a challenge that left me panting for breath and my legs screaming.

We celebrated our little 2-day 135kms cycling expedition with a cold Bundaberg Ginger beer. For sheer variety, the  Camperdown Timboon Rail Trail is one of the best I have ridden. A couple of tips, don’t cycle this trail alone, bring extra food and water as well as your bicycle repair kit, a fly net, and your sense of adventure. 

The Camperdown Timboon Rail trail is closed on days of total fire ban and in extreme winds.