We'll catch a train to Castlemaine and arrive for a 10:30 am start. It's not the usual rail trail formed from the remnants of a torn up line but one that follows maintenance track. It tacks close to the Victorian Goldfield Tourist Train line so we should expect to see hands waving from old steam trains plying the route. The scenery is mostly open dry forest and some unforested hills and farms, and we'll pass through the historic railway yards at Muckleford. From Castlemaine to Maldon is 18 km, so it's a rail trail we can comfortably do in a day as a 36 km round trip.