Start point: Northern end of Martin Street Castlemaine – Directions
Distance: 16km (32km return)
Track: Variable gravel. Track is adjacent to operational rail line and is undulating with some rough patches
Birds: Varied Sitella, Grey Shrike-thrush, Grey Fantail, lots of thornbills, Honeyeaters, Golden and Rufous Whistlers, Crimson and Eastern Rosella, Red-rumped Parrots, Scarlet, Flame, Yellow and Hooded Robins, Jacky Winter, Speckled Warbler, White-browed Babblers, Painted Button-quaiul.
Notes: This trail follows the existing tourist railway and is different from the normally gentler rail gradients with undulating sections. Surface quality varies, but is mostly compacted gravel.
It covers diverse habitats and consequently has an unusual range of birds. Especially around the Muckleford Station and along to the Muckleford Creek Crossing, species such as Flame Robin (in winter) through to Southern Whiteface, White-browed Babblers and even Painted Button-quail are all reasonable possibilities if you spend some time checking the area. Further along, Speckled Warbler along with Hooded and Scarlet Robins can be seen at times.
There is a well equipped stopping point at Muckleford Station – bike maintenance station, picnic tables and toilets open when train operational. Mostly Box-Ironbark forest mixed with open country which provides a range of honeyeaters and robins. There is a diversion off the trail at Sawmill Road where you have to follow the quiet dirt road for about 1km before re-joining the rail trail. See marker on map for directions.
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