The Linking Skipton project was aimed at improving the experience of rail trail users by connecting the Ballarat-Skipton Rail Trail to the town centre, with its public amenities and retail services.
The trail is approximately 4km and a combination of gravel, sealed concrete and granite sand surface.
Follow the track from the Rail Trail terminus north along Anderson Street to Lismore-Skipton Road and past the Skipton Mechanics Institute Community Hall and Skipton War Memorial. At the intersection with Montgomery Street/Glenelg Highway you will find a large-scale mural on the wall of the corner of Montgomery and Anderson Streets (previously the Emu Café) by artist Mike Makatron, which includes eucalyptus leaves and florals that are found in the Skipton region, as well as the iconic platypus.
Cross the bridge to your left to Stewart Park and the Skipton Historical Precinct. Enjoy the Platypus Viewing Platform. Those who are patient to wait quietly at dawn or at dusk, may be rewarded with sighting a platypus. These shy little creatures can be seen at other times if you are patient, and lucky.
Admire the historical buildings such as the Bluestone and Timber residence, the Courthouse, the Police residence and stables and the footbridge. Also within the precinct is ‘Platypus Rising’, a four-metre-high sculpture by artist Mike Makatron. It was installed at Stewart Park in 2022 and represents four patinated aluminium platypuses that appear to swim upwards around reeds made of Corten steel.
Cross the road to the northern side of Montgomery Street and call in to Bluestone Bubbles and Banter for lunch or a sweet treat then continue east along Montgomery Street/Glenelg Highway.
Bills Water Trough will be on your left, donated to Skipton by Annis & George Bills. It’s one of 700 watering troughs that were manufactured and distributed in Australia and installed to provide relief for working horses in the first half of the twentieth century. The troughs were financed by a trust fund established through the will of George Bills. Adjacent is the the town’s newest artwork – Blade Shearer; a monument to local and internationally recognised blade shearer Ben Wilkie.
Veer off the the main road at Skipton Kindergarten and explore Jubilee Park and Lake, cross the Highway at the school crossing and head towards School Street and Montgomery Street Service Road. Admire the Anglican Church on your way towards the Rokewood-Skipton Road to connect with the trail. Continue along the trail that will reconnect with the Ballarat-Skipton Rail Trail. Turn right and cross the Rokewood-Skipton Road then continue alongside the Skipton Golf Club to the Rail Trail terminus.
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Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Great Ocean Road region the Wadawurrung, Eastern Maar & Gunditjmara. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We recognise and respect their unique cultural heritage and the connection to their traditional lands. We commit to building genuine and lasting partnerships that recognise, embrace and support the spirit of reconciliation, working towards self-determination, equity of outcomes and an equal voice for Australia’s first people.
