Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail

The Warburton Rail Trail was established in 1996 and has been continually developed and maintained by a combination of local volunteers, particularly the Friends of the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail, as well the Local Council and State and Federal governments. Over several years a significant amount of effort went into clearing the land, restoring 13 bridges and surfacing of the trail.

Victoria Railways' Albury Express in the 1890's

Warburton Express

also known as the Warburton Trail it is a walking, cycling and horse-riding track in eastern Victoria. It runs 30 km between Lilydale and Warburton along the former Warburton Railway line and lucky for us just happened to be accessible from where we were staying in Wandin.

With a backdrop of mountains including Yarra Ranges National Park this trail passes through a scenic landscape following the Yarra River valley.

So in the mornings Arlene and I would get our walking gear on and head out onto the trail for a brisk walk.

Seville Station is a wonderful rest stop that we came upon one day where you can take a break from the trail and sit and enjoy a breakfast and a beverage.

Interestingly the cafe is built around one of the historic train cars.

when you are hot and sweating anything advertising cold is a welcome relief...

Here Arlene and I are enjoying our morning with a breakfast bacon/egg bun and delicious cappuccino!

this had to be the best cappuccino we ever had but we were not alone....

a very bold magpie was eyeballing our breakfast sandwiches.

yikes!

There are 25 Rail Trails in Victoria and South Australia for more information visit

http://www.railtrails.org.au/

inside the train

An interesting discovery....a water filling station nolonger in use.

the original tin roof

the door to exit to connecting coaches

Arlene resting inside the coach, what fun this must have been in it's time.

a quick stop before heading back onto the trail.

the birds overhead confused us many a time thinking that a bike was approaching and ringing it's bell.

The Gears where you can rent a bike to ride the trail.

an enjoyable walk that Arlene and I will cherish.

The trail meanders through scenic bushland, open river flats and some of the many farms in the area.

There are many rare species of plants and animals to be seen by the keen observer along the trail.

Galah or also known as the Red Breasted Cockatoo

ha! fooled ya....no koalas..this one was in a santuary!

 

Last stop....San Francisco

Fisherman's Wharf

carnival atmosphere Pier 39

 looking up onto Telegraph Hill area

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant

marina looking out onto the bay

Alcatraz home to such notable inmates as Al Capone, Robert Franklin Stroud (the Birdman of Alcatraz)

and George 'Machine Gun' Kelly eventually closed in 1963 today it is protected as a National Historic Landmark.

Sea Lions basking in the sun...word of advice... don't stand up wind!

Golden Gate Bridge

Remember Zoltar from the movie 'Big' with Tom Hanks?

Powell and Mason Cable Car

End of the line and the end of a great vacation that we will never forget!

King Canyon Walk

Sunrise over KingsCanyon

Bottlebrush genus Callistemon is named because the flower has a dense cylindrical shape which resembles a brush.

I opted for the 5.5km rim walk at the time I thought to myself...how difficult could this reall by?

They call this part at the beginning of the climb 'Heart Attack Hill'. It is appropriately named as the climb is 1km straight up the rock face. I guess I really wasn't thinking afterall.

Upward and onward.....

The view from the top was really magnificent...in the bottom right corner you can just make out the vistors station.

'the crack' inside joke.....

looking out over the canyon...Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert...

A goanna or monitor lizard crosses the path we were walking on

this one appears to be in no hurry to seek cover.