In 2022, the Victorian State Government announced $8.5 million in funding to support the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail Enhancements project. To support the delivery of the project, Tourism North East is the lead agency, working closely with the Rural City of Wangaratta, Indigo and Alpine Shires.
Project Complete: Experience the Enhanced Murray to Mountains Rail Trail
We are thrilled to announce that the Murray to Mountains (M2M) Rail Trail Enhancements Project is now complete.
This milestone marks the culmination of a vision first sparked in 2016 to transform our regional trail into an iconic, world-class tourism destination. We want to extend a huge thank you to all the community members who engaged with us throughout this journey; your feedback and support have been vital in bringing this project to life.
Now, it’s time to see the results for yourself. We encourage everyone to get out and explore the brand-new upgrades along the trail.
What’s New on the Trail?
The project has introduced a series of "must-see" moments designed to make the trail more engaging, accessible, and shareable than ever before.
Key improvements include:
- Public Art Installations: A curated journey featuring world-class installations that celebrate local stories interpreted by Victorian artists
- Improved Amenities: Enhanced landscaping, infrastructure and signage designed to create a seamless and comfortable visitor experience.
The Murray to Mountains Rail Trail Enhancements Project was supported by $8.5 million from the Victorian State Government and was delivered by Tourism North East in close partnership with the Rural City of Wangaratta, Indigo Shire, and Alpine Shire.
PREVIOUS UPDATES
ALPINE SHIRE UPDATE | MAY 2025
Installation of the new enhancements project has officially commenced along the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail.
The additions, including large scale artworks, new amenities and improved wayfinding are designed to enhance the trail experience for our local communities and visitors alike, adding a splash of colour, inspiration and upgraded facilities.
Keep an eye out as things come to life over the coming weeks at Eurobin Station and the Roberts Creek Bridge.
BRIGHT TO POREPUNKAH
The Colour Bridge
We appreciate the community’s patience and understanding as Tourism North East, in collaboration with Alpine Shire Council, work to complete the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail Enhancement project, including the much anticipated new bridge installation at Roberts Creek in Porepunkah.
While the project has experienced some unexpected delays in the design phase, we are pleased to announce the bridge will be installed in June of this year, with the enhancement artwork to follow in July 2025.
We look forward to sharing more updates as each of the enhancement sites come to life.
Until then, below are some concept drawings from the artist.
EUROBIN STATION | FEBRUARY 2025
CREATIVE CONCEPT
True Horizons
We're pleased to introduce the final design for the Eurobin Station site by Kent Morris, titled True Horizons.
True Horizons, a Truth Telling Reflection Point, is a First-Nations-led experience that invites visitors to pause and reflect on what the horizon might look like today if First Nations peoples had not been denied the opportunity to thrive as they had done here for thousands of years.
The area is famous for its expansive, sweeping horizons however First Nations voices are tragically missing from the view following colonisation. The work poses a fundamental question, “what’s missing?"
From the artist:
"My proposed design for the Eurobin site of the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail represents a cultural marker for reflection, connection and knowledge; the often-unrecognised deep time First Peoples knowledge embedded in Country throughout the area, and across the state and country. I would hope the design engages and inspires the community on their daily travels and visits, encouraging them to open their hearts and minds, to look and listen deeply on their journey through the site and to embrace the knowledge embedded in Country.
The source of cultural inspiration for the design is the bogong moth and the sites proximity to an over 2000-year connection to this extraordinary creature for the community. The moth speaks to the history of First Nations people gathering for at least 65 generations and to the importance of caring for Country and maintaining a healthy ecosystem for all connected to the Alpine region.
The annual migration of bogong moths represents the second largest energy input into the Alpine region, after the sun. An estimated 4.4 billion moths normally arrive in the south-eastern Australian alpine regions each year, to escape the hotter weather in lowland south-east Australia. Since 2017 very low numbers of bogong moths have been migrating to the alps.
The overall sculptural form acknowledges and pays respect to the significance of the bogong moth for many First Nations language groups including the Dhudhuroa, Gunai-Kurnai, Taungurung, Waywurru and Jaithmathang peoples of the Alpine region to the present day. The moth larvae develop along vast plains of the Darling River, the Barka, the ancestral and spiritual home of my people, Barkindji people, before making their journey to the Alpine region which creates a strong connection to the work and area for me."
Combining the forms associated with a traditional monument, the migration lines of the moth, a star map and the moth itself, the design represents a merging of the past and the present and provides a shared place for discussion and reflection through a First Nations lens. It also reinforces the multiple uses of the area over time as a place of travel, cultural activity and social engagements.
The overall form celebrates the annual migration journey of the bogong moth but also reflects on its concerning endangered conservation status. The single moth featured in the work expresses its integral beauty but also the decline in numbers being witnessed since the 1980’s and severe declines more recently. The work asks will the sculpture become a remembrance of a unique species now vanished or will it celebrate its ongoing survival, and its cultural and ecological significance into the future.
I-Spy Elements - Animals
Artwork locations - Eurobin Station
Main sculpture - Bogong Moth
I-Spy Elements - Coolamons
Main sculpture - Bogong Moth
Main sculpture - Bogong Moth on granite plinth with fire feature
BRIGHT TO POREPUNKAH | FEBRUARY 2025
CREATIVE CONCEPT
The Colour Bridge
We're pleased to introduce the design for the Robert's Creek Bridge in Porepunkah, titled The Colour Bridge, by Skunk Control.
The Colour Bridge involves stunningly stylised, colourful wildflower-like pieces that hug the path in a repeating pattern, evoking the changing seasons. By day, transparent panels cast colours on the path, and by night, lighting creates a magical glow.
The creative theme for this site is 'Ever New', which captures the restorative feeling of the Alpine Shire region, and celebrates the cyclical, seasonal rhythms that continuously renew people and landscapes.
The Colour Bridge speaks to the unique, interconnected ecosystem of the region, shining a light on the rare and often unseen species that all this place home.
Below are some concept drawings from the artist.
EUROBIN STATION
ARTIST PROFILE
Introducing Kent Morris
We're pleased to introduce Melbourne-based Kent Morris as the artist selected for the Eurobin Station site as part of the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail Enhancements Project in the Alpine Shire.
By reconstructing the environment through a First Nations lens, Kent Morris reveals the continuing presence and patterns of Aboriginal history, culture and knowledge in the contemporary Australian landscape. Morris manipulates structures and nature into new forms that reflect elements of Aboriginal tangible and intangible cultural heritage and reinforce cultural continuity since time immemorial.
The theme for the Eurobin Station site is 'True Horizons', which captures the sweeping mountain vistas of the area, and plays with the notions of scale and openness. Importantly, it encourages reflection on what the horizon might look like today if First Nations people had not been denied their opportunity to thrive as they had done here for thousands of years.
Visit Morris' website to learn more: kentmorris.com.au
Photo credit James Henry
BRIGHT TO POREPUNKAH | NOVEMBER 2024
ARTIST PROFILE
Introducing Skunk Control
We're pleased to introduce Melbourne-based Skunk Control as the artist selected for the Bright to Porepunkah site as part of the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail Enhancements Project in the Alpine Shire.
Skunk Control create visually engaging works and immersive experiences that provide audiences with a sense of wonderment and opportunities to make discoveries. Drawing on technology; design and art and their training in engineering, science and education, Skunk Control's works are interactive and impactful.
Skunk Control's concept 'The Colour Bridge' involves stylised, colourful wildflower-like pieces that hug the path in a repeating pattern, evoking the changing seasons. The theme for this site is 'Ever New', which captures the restorative feeling of the Alpine Shire region, and celebrates the cyclical, seasonal rhythms that continuously renew people and landscapes.
Visit Skunk Control's website to learn more: skunkcontrol.com.au/about
Photo by James Henry
ALPINE SHIRE UPDATE | SEPTEMBER 2024
EUROBIN SITE
ARTIST SELECTION
The artist selected for the Eurobin site is Kent Morris: https://kentmorris.com.au/
CREATIVE THEME
The theme for this site is 'True Horizons'. Based on the symposium inspired concept 'infinite horizons', 'True Horizons' captures the sweeping mountain vistas of the area, and plays with the notions of scale and openness. Importantly, it encourages reflection on what the horizon might look like today if First Nations people had not been denied their opportunity to thrive as they had done here for thousands of years.
BRIGHT TO POREPUNKAH SITE
ARTIST SELECTION
The artist selected for the Bright to Porepunkah site is Skunk Control: www.skunkcontrol.com.au/about
CREATIVE THEME
The theme for this site is 'Ever New', which captures the restorative feeling of the Alpine Shire region, and celebrates the cyclical, seasonal rhythms that continuously renew people and landscapes. It speaks to the unique, interconnected ecosystem of the region, shining a light on the rare and often unseen species that all this place home.
CREATIVE CONCEPT PROPOSAL
Skunk Control's proposed concept 'The Colour Bridge' involves stylised, colourful wildflower-like pieces that hug the path in a repeating pattern, evoking the changing seasons. By day, transparent panels cast colours on the path, and by night, lighting creates a magical glow.
Artist Impression
Below is an initial concept drawing from the artist while detailed design continues.
ALPINE SHIRE UPDATE | JULY 2024
ARTIST SELECTION
The artist selected for the Bright to Porepunkah site is Skunk Control: www.skunkcontrol.com.au/about
SITES SELECTED FOR ENHANCEMENTS
These sites have been specifically selected to support the strategic objectives of the project which include increasing visitation and making the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail the best trail in the southern hemisphere. The sites nominated help support the overall experience of the Murray to Mountains experience for all visitors.
BRIGHT TO POREPUNKAH
Theme: Ever New
'Ever New' captures the restorative feeling of the Alpine Shire region, and celebrates the cyclical, seasonal rhythms that continuously renew people and landscapes. It speaks to the unique, interconnected ecosystem of the region, shining a light on the rare and often unseen species that all this place home.
EUROBIN STATION
Theme: True Horizons
Based on the symposium inspired concept 'infinite horizons', 'True Horizons' captures the sweeping mountain vistas of the area, and plays with the notions of scale and openness. Importantly, it encourages reflection on what the horizon might look like today if First Nations people had not been denied their opportunity to thrive as they had done here for thousands of years.
ALPINE SHIRE UPDATE | JUNE 2024
ARTIST SELECTION
The artist selected for the Bright to Porepunkah site is Skunk Control: www.skunkcontrol.com.au/about
SITES SELECTED FOR ENHANCEMENTS
These sites have been specifically selected to support the strategic objectives of the project which include increasing visitation and making the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail the best trail in the southern hemisphere. The sites nominated help support the overall experience of the Murray to Mountains experience for all visitors.
BRIGHT TO POREPUNKAH
Theme: Ever New
'Ever New' captures the restorative feeling of the Alpine Shire region, and celebrates the cyclical, seasonal rhythms that continuously renew people and landscapes. It speaks to the unique, interconnected ecosystem of the region, shining a light on the rare and often unseen species that all this place home.
EUROBIN STATION
Theme: True Horizons
Based on the symposium inspired concept 'infinite horizons', 'True Horizons' captures the sweeping mountain vistas of the area, and plays with the notions of scale and openness. Importantly, it encourages reflection on what the horizon might look like today if First Nations people had not been denied their opportunity to thrive as they had done here for thousands of years.
ALPINE SHIRE UPDATE | MAY 2024
SITES SELECTED FOR ENHANCEMENTS
These sites have been specifically selected to support the strategic objectives of the project which include increasing visitation and making the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail the best trail in the southern hemisphere. The sites nominated help support the overall experience of the Murray to Mountains experience for all visitors.
BRIGHT TO POREPUNKAH
Theme: Ever New
'Ever New' captures the restorative feeling of the Alpine Shire region, and celebrates the cyclical, seasonal rhythms that continuously renew people and landscapes. It speaks to the unique, interconnected ecosystem of the region, shining a light on the rare and often unseen species that all this place home.
EUROBIN STATION
Theme: True Horizons
Based on the symposium inspired concept 'infinite horizons', 'True Horizons' captures the sweeping mountain vistas of the area, and plays with the notions of scale and openness. Importantly, it encourages reflection on what the horizon might look like today if First Nations people had not been denied their opportunity to thrive as they had done here for thousands of years.
The creative themes will form the basis of an artistic brief that will be sent to selected artists who will be chosen from the EOI process.
Artist appointments will be announced by the end of June 2024.
ALPINE SHIRE UPDATE | APRIL 2024
Sites selected for enhancements
These sites have been specifically selected to support the strategic objectives of the project which include increasing visitation and making the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail the best trail in the southern hemisphere. The sites nominated help support the overall experience of the Murray to Mountains experience for all visitors.
- The Eurobin Railway station
- The Bright to Porepunkah section of the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail
- Includes footpath widening and Roberts Creek bridge upgrade
Civil works
Tendering has recently been completed for the path widening and bridge construction contracts through Alpine Shire Council’s normal procurement process. These will be awarded in the coming months with works to commence in the second half of 2024.
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