Lilydale to Mt Evelyn 6.9 k, Mt Evelyn to Wandin 5.4 k

The last train to Warburton ran on Sunday 1st August 1965. The original line with the first train leaving on the 13th November 1901 began at Lilydale and ran for 37 kilometres (23 miles), stopping ten times before reaching its destination of Warburton. This line operated for both passenger and goods services. During the 1970’s the railway line was dismantled and in 1996 the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail was established. The trail starts at the far end of the Lilydale Railway Station Car Park. There are three access points to the Lilydale oval and the little white bridge across the Olinda Creek.

Walking along the edge of the ovals takes you to a small sign that directs you over the little bridge and to the left. From here the trail follows the Olinda Creek for a short distance to a crossing on Beresford Rd.

Once across Beresford Rd, large olde world charm signs show the path of the trail. From here the trail that skirts Mt Lilydale Mercy College is the only part of the trail that doesn’t follow the original route as a small tract of the old railway line is leased to the College. The original line begins again at a steep uphill grade on the southern side of the college.

In 2011 a bridge across busy Maroondah Highway was finally installed making the trail true to the original rail line and far safer for trail users.

The rail trail meanders parallel to roads, past back yards and through patches of bushland.

Approximately 1 1/2 kilometres from Mt Evelyn the Owl Land reserve track forks off to the left through carved ‘totem’ poles. For an interesting side trip this trail can be followed for 440 meters through to Hereford Rd.

Once reaching Mt Evelyn the trail passes behind the old railway station building. During the 1990’s the old station house was converted into the towns library and extra rooms added for a cafe and community space.

Just past the station is a reconstructed platform with stoic conductors waiting for the next arrival. Large wagon wheels along the base of the platform give a small history of the train line and settlement of Mt Evelyn. From the boards I learnt that in 1954 a special train carried Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh through Mt Evelyn on their way to stay at O’Shannassy Lodge. Further along on the opposite side is more history of the area with painted boards done by local schools and organizations.

From here the trail crosses busy York Rd but unlike the Aqueduct Crossing further down York Road, this is a safe crossing with pedestrian lights. Six Hundred metres from this crossing is the second busy road crossing, also with pedestrian lights.

This is a beautiful part of the walk, the mountains often present in the distance. The rail trail dips in and out from Clegg Rd though mostly it is through beautiful tall timbers.

At Bailey Rd a bridge crosses high over the road and Stringybark Creek.

More beautiful bush

On Warburton Highway at Wandin right next to the trail where the trail crosses the highway is a bus stop. – very convenient. A bus was to be my return journey back to Lilydale. I checked the time of the next bus. At this time of day the buses ran hourly and there was a bus due in 4 minutes. I decided to forgo the extra 330 metres to the Wandin Station as this would be the starting point for the next leg of my Warburton Trail walk.

Across from the bus stop a Rotary Rotunda on the Warburton Trail.

Total walk 12.3 kilometres