Warrnambool to Port Fairy rail trail

 I decided to walk the Warrnambool to Port Fairy rail trail over 2 days with an overnight in Koroit. After I arrived in Warrnambool I went for a walk down to the beach and along to the breakwater where the rail trail starts, just to get the first bit done and make my walk tomorrow more straightforward. The trail begins with a nice view of a little bay and then I went across a reserve to get back to the motel, illegally stepping across the railway line, which I was going to have to do tomorrow also. 

Nov 22 The first bit leaving Warrnambool was along a little creek and then crossing extensive swampland where I saw lots of black swans and a few herons. From there I had to walk next to a sealed road for several kms; the road undulated so I had some views over the countryside and this was too hilly to have been the original alignment of the rail line. I had not had high expectations of this rail trail route (because it would have been more fun to go along the coast and because these rail trails are rarely exciting, but I was doing it as it was just so nice to be out in the country) so it was great to see some pretty landscapes, but I was pleased to leave the road and continue through farmland. I saw a pair of bike riders laden down with gear.

Koroit, when I arrived, was bigger than expected and 2 cafes were open. I sat at the bakery, which was really popular with people seemingly all buying loaves of white sliced bread, and had an unsuccessful lunch: my potato pie was cold and my coffee was so bad I had to ask for a replacement (I’m not sure I’ve done this before) but that was also awful. 

I checked into the pub then decided it was time for a run. I hadn’t appreciated that the Tower Hill lake was so close; I had been to Tower Hill state park (a volcano surrounded by a lake) by bike in an earlier life but not from Koroit, which is on the back side. I ran uphill to a couple of viewpoints looking over the narrow part of the lake and back of the volcano (also getting nice views over the surrounding areas and the coast) and then on around to see the main body of the lake. This was an enjoyable run, especially to be moving faster after walking all morning. 

In the evening I was eating by the bar and a woman said to me: I saw you running this afternoon, you’ve earned that meal. I replied: Before the run I walked here from Warrnambool and she just stared at me until the barman distracted her.

Nov 23 The trail out of Koroit was across grazing land, lots of cows then some sheep. 

And quite a few tiny birds. Much of the trail was dead straight (a slight irritation I have with these rail trails since it makes things less interesting, but at least this one was out in the open rather than through a corridor of trees so there was stuff to look at) with a few bridges once I reached the marshy part. There were virtually no remnants of the railway apart from mile markers. Just past Moyne former station site and picnic table (the only one) I saw a runner then had a chat with a riding couple. There was a brief patch of bush. 

The trail crossed some small creeks and was sealed for the last few kms into Port Fairy. In Port Fairy I managed to get a drinkable coffee. The town was so busy for a Tuesday I was very surprised. 

After a suitable break I walked over to Griffiths Island and did the track/beach loop on the island via the lighthouse, seeing oystercatchers and a wallaby on the way. I could see bad weather coming and I only just made it to the shelter at the end of the walk before a huge thunderstorm hit; I waited a long time in the shelter then ran in stages back into town, carefully avoiding flooding.

Mileage: first day 20 kms walk then 9 kms run; second day 18 kms walk plus 5 kms visiting the island.