Colac-Ballarat railway line

The Colac to Ballarat line was a line that left just after Irrewarra on the Warrnambool Line and joined the Ballarat - Skipton Line at Newtown then heading into Ballarat Station. It was 112 km long curving around the mountains and many lakes. The track has been removed completely and the last bit of the Skipton to Ballarat line has been turned into a rail trail.

History

The line was constructed in the early 20th century with the purpose of transferring produce from the Victoria's south west to the industrial centre of Ballarat. The line was first built between in sections from Irrewarra in the south to Beeac and from Ballarat in the north to Newtown as part of the Skipton Line. The link between Beeac and Newtown was eventually constructed, however it passed through very few major towns.

The railway has a relatively short life closing in the 1950s, with much of the former right of way now located on private property.

Line

Colac - Ballarat railway line
Legend To Melbourne Ballarat Station Wendoree Station Linton Junction Cardigan Haddon Nintingbool Symthesdale Scarsdale Newtown Skipton Line Berringa Illbrook Rokewood Werneth < To Maroona - Cressy - To Geelong > Barpiba Beeac Ondit To Geelong Irrewarra Colac To Warrnambool

Illbrook Rail Reserve

The site that used to have the station and goods shed as well as the rail bed heading to Ballarat is now used as Grassy Woodland.

Cressy Station

Once a major station which included a large station building with a signal box and refreshment rooms. This station was once the junction of the cross country line between Ballarat and Colac. Today almost no trace remains.