Overall description

The Riesling and Rattler Rail Trail consists of three sections that are quite different in terms of scenery and topography:

The 19.5 km Rattler Trail section from Riverton to Auburn crosses open farming country.

The 25 km Riesling Trail section from Auburn to Clare travels along the Clare Valley, through the wine region and many of the historic towns.

The 8 km Riesling Trail (north) from Clare to Barinia terminates at the old Barinia Railway siding. This essentially flat section is an enjoyable ride through open farmland and vineyards.

Riverton to Rhynie Siding (6.2km)

The trail starts from the northern end of the Riverton Oval near the scoreboard (enter off Oxford Tce).

Riverton’s magnificent intact railway station is now a private residence but limited views can be had from public roads. There are some railcars and rolling stock in the railyards. There are toilets, BBQ and picnic facilities near the caravan park on the western side of the oval.

The first section of trail is gated at either end to contain stock grazing. Please ensure the gates are closed after use.

After passing through the Riverton golf course the trail enters a thick grove of Swamp Oaks, cool and shady on a hot day. The trail gently climbs through to Rhynie.

At the Rhynie railway station site shelter you will find information boards with historic photos. A 650m gravel track from the station leads to the edge of town.

There are no shops in Rhynie and even the historic hotel is now closed. There are toilets and picnic facilities in the park near the hotel.

There are no steep or dangerous sections, but take care at road crossings.

Rhynie Siding to Auburn (13.3km)

From Rhynie to Auburn the trail undulates through farming country with several steel bridges over creeks.

There is little evidence of Undalya siding but an information board marks the location.

The entrance to Auburn is over a long steel bridge over Rice Creek, through a shady corridor of pines, then past the oval/caravan park and on to the site of Auburn station, now a wine cellar.

Auburn town centre, with a number of food and beverage outlets, is to the west of the trail, easily accessed via paths and quiet streets.

There are no steep or dangerous sections, but take care at road crossings.

Auburn to Penwortham (15km)

The Riesling Trail starts at the old Auburn station and is maintained to a very high standard. There are interpretive signs and wineries along the way.

Depart north from Auburn station and cross the long bridge over the Wakefield River that opened in 2019 to enable the rail trail to be entirely on the old railway corridor, 25 years after the Riesling Trail began.

Cross the highway with care and enjoy the gentle climb to Penwortham, passing Leasingham and Watervale. There are several wine cellars and food options along the way.

At Penwortham the trail crosses beneath the Horrocks Hwy and loosely follows it to Clare. Visit historic St Mark’s church (visible from the trail and accessible from Pawelski Rd) where district pioneer John Horrocks was buried in 1846. John Horrocks’ cottage can also be viewed on the corner of Surrey Lane and Horrocks Highway.

There are no steep or dangerous sections, but take care at road crossings.

Penwortham to Clare (10km)

Penwortham is the highest point of the trail and it is downhill all the way to Clare.

Sevenhill is 4km further on, with St Aloysius’ Church and Sevenhill Cellars a short distance up College Rd.

The Clare Showgrounds siding has some artworks and is the start point of local Parkruns. Passing along the eastern side of Clare, there is little evidence remaining of the old railway station and yards. There are a number of artworks and some relics in the old station precinct and the old stationmaster’s house is now privately owned (also the childhood home of internationally renowned author Monica McInerney).

There is a carpark and shelter at the old station site. A sculpture depicting Monica McInerney as a child reading books in the solitude of the roof top of the Station Master’s house, was erected on the reserve adjacent to the old station site in 2022.

Follow the Clare town centre signs for numerous food and beverage options, toilets and shops.

There are several options for cycle hire in Clare.

There are no steep or dangerous sections, but take care at road crossings.

Side Trail – Melrose Park (0.5km) and Gleeson Wetlands (1.0km)

At the Drover and sheep sculpture (600m north of the old Clare station precinct) take York Rd on the left and follow 500m to Melrose Park.

There are numerous trails within Melrose Park and an extensive model railway network, along with a lake, playground, toilets and picnic facilities.

A further 500m to the west are the Gleeson Wetlands with pathways around an extensive

planting of native shrubs and three water areas with a variety of bird species.

Clare to Barinia (8km)

This section extends north from the Clare railway station site. It features a quality surface through shady cuttings and over bridges before coming out to beautiful farmland and vineyard areas.

There are several artworks to view on the way.

Take care crossing White Hut Rd as the gap in the pine log barrier is narrow and can be awkward to negotiate.

The trail terminates at Barinia Rd, White Hut, the site of the old Barinia siding.