Yesterday I rode a section of a new trail that extends from near Collie to
Darken.
Because of extensive earthworks by the coal mining companies east of Collie
the trail actually starts at a tiny place called Buckingham, located about
20 km east of Collie. My friends and I drove out to Buckingham and left our
car at the church http://www.hyperactive.oz.nf/Darken_road/100_4249.JPG then
rode about 500 metres south of the church down an old brown bitumen road to
pick up the trail.
The trail runs along what used to be the Collie to Darken railway line. It
has no hills and gently curves it's way through open farmland and bush. It
has been graded and is more like a smooth gravel road than a trail. There
are distance markers and a small plaque at the Buckingham end. Along the way
there are old loading ramps and railway sleepers left over from the old
days. We rode to Bowelling which still has the old train station there, but
which has been vandalised a bit in recent years but is still a interesting
building. http://www.hyperactive.oz.nf/Darken_road/100_4259.JPG
At one point there is a wooden bridge built by the Collie Rotary club to get
across a small creek. The railway was operational until 1982 when it
suffered massive damage from the January flood, and was deemed to expensive
to repair.
The trail is designed for horses and cyclist and I expected to find a rough
surface from horse hooves however it was very smooth and looks like we're
among the very first to use the trail. One day we'll explore the rest of the
ride to Darken.
The trail runs parallel to the Collie-Darken road.
http://www.hyperactive.oz.nf/Darken_road/martys_bike_ride_east_of_collie.htm
For more info you can email me or try the Collie tourist bureau.
Marty