The last, closed, section of the Trail was physically opened to riders between the Knowsley Forest and Derrinal Station Lane on May 16, with many infrastructure components still to be provided. It is now possible to ride all the way from Bendigo to Heathcote.
The O'Keefe Rail Trail was officially opened from Bendigo to Heathcote on December 21, 2015 with a ceremony at the Lions Club Pavilion at the Herriott Street Crossing, Heathcote. Attending representatives were: City of Greater Bendigo Mayor, Rod Fyffe, CEO Craig Niemann, Minister of Transport and State Member for Bendigo, Jacinta Allan, ?? (Trail), Garry Long, Convenor Friends of the Bendigo-Kilmore Rail Trail, Lisa Chesters, Federal Member for Bendigo, and many others.
The town of Axedale participated in the 2016 Heathcote Games, conducting a treasure hunt around the Axedale Walk. This included the Axedale Racecourse Platform, and for the first time in many, many years, a Stationmaster was in attendance - Yours truly, Kevin Crockett, ably assisted by Brian Coleman wearing a replica 1927 Guard's uniform.