General News
14 March, 2025
Walk the Moolort Plains this weekend
This weekend’s Walk the Line takes locals along the disused railway line showing the region’s natural assets, plus a section made contentious due to nearby broiler farms.
The Central Goldfields Bush-walking and Hiking Club has partnered with the Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail (CMRT) to host a walk along the disused Maryborough railway line.
The event is to promote the proposed Rail Trail between Maryborough and Castlemaine, and the environmental importance of the Moolort Plains section.
CMRT president Janice Simpson said it’s important to showcase the views and scenery.
“It’s our third time hosting it, it’s what you’d see if you were on the trains that passed through when it was built, the Moolort Plains are pretty special,” she said.
The walk will follow the proposed trail from the Grain Silos at the old Moolort Station to Bald Hill Road.
The day will start with a talk from local environment expert Geoff Park about the Moolort landscape and birds, followed by the five kilometre trek.
“The wetlands have swamps that are hosts to the wildlife themselves. There’s birds, mammals, insects, reptiles, it’s a rich landscape, even if you think it might not look like it as you drive by in the car,” Ms Simpson said.
She is encouraging those wanting to experience the plains to take part.
“They’ve got a fabulous Indigenous history, plus the Moolort plains has most raptors in Australia, it’s great for bird watching,” Ms Simpson said.
Once the walk is finished, a shuttle bus will take attendees back to the Moolort silos.
The walk will commence at 10 am on Sunday, March 16, and is expected to take between 60 to 90 minutes, with attendees to arrive from 9.30 am onwards.
Tickets can be booked through Humanitx.