Trentham - Domino Trail Walking Track - Central

Trentham - Domino Trail Walking Track

The Domino Trail is an easy walk following the old railway line from the Trentham heritage listed railway station (no longer in use) into the Wombat Forest, does a loop in the forest and returns to the station.

The Domino trail has been changed and extended - it now runs along the rail alignment to Lyonville with the exception of a short detour around the bridge over the Coliban River (about 600 metres from Lyonville).

The trail is a smooth, wide, all weather trail suitable for walkers, cyclists, pushbikes and horse riders but motorbikes and other vehicles are not allowed.

Walk Options

Trentham Station to Doctors Creek, return 2hrs

Trentham Station to Domino Creek return 2.5 hrs, with loop 3 hrs

Trentham Station to Lyonville 12km return 3.5 hrs, with loop 4 hrs.

History of the Domino Trail

Located an hours drive north-west of Melbourne is Trentham - a picturesque country town nestled among the tall timbers of Wombat State Forest, through which the Domino Trail meanders. Over the centuries, many have passed through or called this area home, beginning with its original inhabitants, the Dja Dja Wurrung people. The migration of European settlers to Trentham brought with it a rich history of mining, logging and potato farming.

In 1998, the people of Trentham discovered that nearby forests were to be logged. As a result, the local community protested in order to protect the habitat of the endangered Powerful Owl and promote forest-based tourism. By the year 2000, the area was proclaimed a Special Protection Zone. resulting in a cessation of logging in the area.

The Domino Trail passes through the habitat of the endangered Powerful Owl, and follows the route of the old Trentham railway, part of the original line that once linked Daylesford and Carlsruhe. For nearly 100 years, the line provided an invaluable means of transport for the region. Nearly all provisions arrived by rail, while its produce - potatoes, cattle and timber went out the same way. Trentham Station was the major intermediate station along the route. Closed to rail traffic in 1978, the track bed has slowly disappeared beneath the encroaching bush. All that remains is the gravelled bed, trestle bridges and the high embankment over Domino Creek.

Access for Dogs:

All dogs must be on a leash whilst on the Domino Trail walk or the surrounding forest and that cats are not permitted.

Review:

An interesting walk with a number of things to explore near the start of the walk at the historic Trentham Railway Complex and a chance to get a drink and feed at the Radio Springs Hotel before you turn back and repeat the trip in the other direction. There are toilets at the end of the station at Trentham and also at the hotel in Lyonville.

Originally the track did a loop in the forest and returned to the railway station. However, now the trail has been extended all the way to Lyonville. The trail from Trentham to Lyonville is 6 km one way and takes 1.25 - 1.5 hours. The full return distance is therefore 12 km. However, you can turn back at any time and tailor the distance to suit.

The gravel track is wide and well maintained but is very stony and can be a bit uncomfortable in soft soled shoes. The trail is well sign posted and it is easy to stay on the route. There is a short diversion into the bush at the bridge over the Coliban River since the bridge is now in too much of a state of disrepair to walk over. There is an occasional bench to sit on along the route. Overall the route is fairly flat and quite shady from the trees.

Just out of Trentham station on the right is a company (Two Fat Wombats) which makes large fibreglass animals. We saw a big range of animals including dinosaurs, hippos and giraffes. Well worth a stop for the kids.