The Ballarat – Skipton Rail Trail, sunburnt meadows, and tree-shadowed tunnels
Horse drawn cart, and Nimons trestle bridge
The Devils Kitchen is an impressive geological reserve in Piggoreet, 15 minutes from, Smythesdale. The Woady Yaloak River winds its way through a thickly vegetated valley, surrounded by cliffs of spectacular basalt columns.
A Country Trail
How scenarios change over time-
The old unused rural railway line.
From Ballarat to Skipton and back
is now an unspoiled community track.
Gently meandering over sunburnt meadows,
Then dipping through tree-shadowed tunnels aglow.
Along the trails, valleys, and rocky ridges,
Travelers will see horse drawn carts and trestle bridges.
And on the way to Snake Valley and Linton,
Be wary of the gold miners “Devil’s Kitchen.”
A song to wander with along the trail…
Ivor Steven (c) December 2025
Ivor.Plumber/Poet 