Distance: 15 Km | Duration: Hrs | Grade: TBA | Rating: | Style: Circuit | Map
About the Walk
Overview
This walk follows an old rail trail, visits the site of the Merricks Rail Station and the original station site. There is an old overgrown railway turntable alongside the track, and good views over vineyards and possibly Western Port Bay.
The Walk in Detail
Starting at the car park cross Point Leo Road and follow the walking track past Red Hill Centrepoint (1) to Arthurs Seat Road. Cross Red Hill Road and follow the walking track beside Arthurs Seat Road until you reach Mechanics Road.
Cross the road and follow Mechanics Road passing the Red Hill CFA (2) to Station Road. Turn left into Station road and follow to the bend at Donaldsons Road (3). Go straight ahead beside the house following the property line and then follow Red Hill Road past The Vines vineyard to Stanleys Road (Tar Barrel Corner) (4). Walk beside Stanleys Road on the northern side past vineyards and apple orchards till you reach the Conservation Reserve at Tonkins Road (5). You may be able to do a small circuit in this reserve.
Go south on Tonkins Road to the end and the Old Rail Trail (Merricks-Red Hill Trail) (6). This rail line opened in 1912 as a branch from Bittern on the Stony Point line and mainly carried fruit such as apples, pears and strawberries to market in Melbourne. Continue through a stile and follow the trail past some good views (7) to the site of the Merricks Rail Station (8).
Retrace your walk back to Tonkins road but turn left onto the Old Rail Trail and follow again past good views (9) of vineyards and a deer farm. Near the end of the walk you may see the remnants of the railway turntable (10) on the right side of the track that has become overgrown. Continue further to a large open area behind Red Hill Centrepoint and you can see evidence of the original Rail Station site (11). Follow the walking track past Red Hill Centrepoint through the reserve to the Point Leo Road car park.
Getting There
This walk starts and ends at the car park on Point Leo Road (Melways 191 A7) Drive along Point Nepean Road to Dromana. Turn right (south) on McCulloch street and go under the freeway. Turn right (west) beside the freeway, follow Arthurs Seat Road to the top of the mountain and continue along Arthurs Seat road about 8 kms to the T-intersection with Red Hill Road. Turn right and drive about 300 metres to Point Leo road. The car park is behind the Supermarket.Walk Precautions
Watch for traffic when walking on roads