Collie – Darkan Rail Trail

Location

About This Trail

The Collie – Darkan Rail Trail retraces a section of the Collie-Narrogin Railway, starting 19km from the trail town of Collie and heading east towards the town of Darkan and beyond to Dardadine. Along the way, the trail’s relatively gentle gradients feature a series of renovated rail bridges over creeks, rivers and flood plains, as well as the well preserved historic railway stations at Bowelling and Darkan The trail’s current western trailhead is located at the corner of Shotts River Rd and Coalfields Hwy, and head south along Shotts River Rd to reach Buckingham Siding. From Buckingham Siding, the trail runs parallel to the remnants of the old line before more faithfully following the old rail corridor from Muja siding onwards as it passes alongside idyllic farmland. From Muja, the line remains largely parallel to Coalfields Hwy almost the entire way to Bowelling. East of Cowcher, the trail diverges from the highway as it crosses a large floodplain over Cowcher Bridge and then crosses Coalfields Hwy twice before reaching Bowelling station, which doubles as a museum and overnight stop. From Bowelling, the trail continues alongside Coalfields Hwy to Darkan and features a higher percentage of forested scenery, as well as a series of smaller rail bridges. Reaching Darkan, the trailhead is located before Darkan’s main park, however the trail continues through the park to the old Darkan railway station. From Darkan Station, the trail extends onwards to Dardadine, stopping short of the location of Dardadine Siding. You can still come across horse power on the trail, though the genuine type! [2021]