Do you have to do it all in one go?
No, it can be walked in sections over weekends or holiday periods.

Where would I stay/sleep?
You can use existing accommodation in towns.  Whenever the distance between towns is greater than about 25 kms, we are planning to provide low-cost overnight accommodation in especially constructed roofed shelters.

How much will it cost?
The Golden Trail is designed for low-budget walkers, but there are often more elaborate eating and accommodation options in the towns.  Costs will vary from person to person.  You are responsible for all your own food and accommodation expenses.  The network of shelters that is being planned is designed to provide the accommodation support necessary to make such a long journey possible at reasonable cost.

What do I have to take?
As little as possible!  A good backpack and boots, sleeping bag, water bottle, change of clothing, toiletries, towel, map (and eventually the guide-book) and Golden Trail ‘passport’ to be stamped along the way.

Is the Trail one way?
It will be signposted to run west to east from Robe to Bendigo.

Do you walk alone or in groups?
We hope people will experiment with the opportunity to walk alone and experience the silence and solitude that is not often found in our busy world.  Many people will choose to walk with family and friends.  Although community groups may organise to walk or cycle it together, it is not a guided tour operation.

How do I get to Robe to start?
Everyone is responsible for their own transport to the starting point.  There are three buses a day, seven days a week from Adelaide to Robe.

How do I get home from Bendigo?
Bendigo is well-served by trains and buses to Melbourne and there are several daily buses every day of the week to Melbourne International Airport.

What will I do if I find I am carrying too much gear?
You can mail excess items back to your home address from the Post Office in any town.

Will I need to book ahead for my accommodation?
This will be advisable for commercial operations such as motels and B&Bs.  The shelters will be on a first-in-best-dressed basis.  In towns it is also hoped to utilise disused halls, schools etc as trail shelters, especially if budget accommodation is not available.

When will The Golden Trail be operational?
The Trail already exists in that several groups of both cyclists and walkers have already done it, using their own resources.  The provision of a complete infrastructure of shelters and signage is a huge work in progress and will develop as more and more local communities join up to become a link in this path through part of Australia’s history.