The Rubicon Heritage Trail is a peaceful weekend escape tucked away in Victoria’s Rubicon Valley, about two hours northeast of Melbourne. At just a few hours long, it’s the kind of walk that feels rewarding without requiring too much effort. The trail follows old narrow-gauge tramlines and aqueducts, winding through lush Mountain Ash forests and cool temperate rainforests.
We kicked off our adventure with a stop at the Taggerty General Store, which doubles as the local pub. It’s one of those country establishments where you can grab a loaf of bread, a six-pack, and some unsolicited life stories.
Camping near the Rubicon Heritage Trail makes tackling it even more enjoyable because you can leave your pack behind. We spent the night at Kendall’s Camping Area, a simple but scenic spot surrounded by huge trees, perfect for relaxing before the hike. Two litres of wine seemed like an appropriate amount for hydration, though I’d caution against adopting this pre-hike strategy.
The Rubicon Valley has a fascinating history tied to its timber industry and hydroelectric scheme. In the early 1900s, this area was bustling with sawmills and tramways transporting timber through the dense forest. The Rubicon Hydroelectric Scheme, completed in 1929, was groundbreaking for its time and supplied nearly 20% of Victoria’s electricity at its peak. Walking alongside aqueducts and past Royston Power Station, you can’t help but admire the ingenuity of building such infrastructure in the middle of nowhere.
The trail is mostly flat, so you can spend less time gasping for air and more time pretending to know things about industrial history. Highlights include trestle bridges and views of aqueducts that still channel water to the power stations. The Rubicon Heritage Trail is an easy hike that combines natural beauty with echoes of history.
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