East Gippsland Rail Trail - Trail Description

One of the large bridges between Nowa Nowa and Orbost. Alexander McCooke

Location: East Gippsland, 280km from Melbourne

Start/end: Bairnsdale to Newmeralla (near Orbost)

Region: Gippsland, Victoria

Length open: 94km

Surface: Sealed from Bairnsdale to Nicholson; fine gravel from Nicholson to Newmeralla

Description

This is a long and varied trail which goes through a variety of forest and farmland landscapes with occasional views of the Gippsland Lakes. The area has many attractions and it is ideal for a weekend trip.

Bairnsdale to Nicholson

The trail surface is sealed as far as the bridge of the Nicholson River.

Nicholson to Nowa Nowa

The trail has a fine gravel surface, although there are a couple of sandy sections. In the Colquhoun Forest, another trail, the Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail provides a connection to Lakes Entrance.

Nowa Nowa to Orbost

The 36km Nowa Nowa to Newmerella (western side of Snowy River near Orbost) section opened in January 2006. The surface is fine hard compacted gravel that is easy riding on a hybrid bike. The trail is wide enough for three bikes except in a few sections where the camber seems a bit excessive. The trail has quite a lot of shade making summer riding quite pleasant.

There are three major wooden trestle bridges in the section which have had to have low level diversions. This gives a good view of the bridges but the approaches are quite steep, particularly at the largest middle bridge.

At Nowa Nowa the new trail connects to the existing section via a path onto the Princes Hwy which crosses Boggy River. There is plenty of parking on the old station site. Visitors should note that the Bruthen to Nowa Nowa Rd has been turned into the Princes Hwy so some major roadworks has occurred at Nowa Nowa. A new pedestrian/cycle bridge is also planned which will eliminate the diversion onto the highway.

At Newmerella the access point is at Burn Rd. Coming from Nowa Nowa, Burn Rd is on the left as the Princes Hwy starts to descend to the river flats. It is about 2km short of the original terminus of the line, which never actually crossed the Snowy river into Orbost. At this stage the committee do not have any plans to reopen this section which is mostly wooden trestle bridges crossing the river flats.

Last updated June 2010.

For more information on this trail see the book Rail Trails of Victoria and South Australia.

Trail Map

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Gallery

Click any of the photos below for a larger image or display all.

The Nicholson River bridge, near sunset. Alexander McCooke

Views from the trail between Nicholson and Bruthen. Alexander McCooke

Bridge over the Tambo River at Bruthen. Alexander McCooke

Cycling between Nowa Nowa and Orbost. Alexander McCooke

Returning from Orbost, T408 crosses over O'Grady Creek. Saturday 28 March 1987. Bryce Leydon/ARHS Archives

19 years later ... a cyclist rides past the O'Grady Creek bridge on the rail trail. Saturday 28 January 2006. Alexander McCooke

The trail between Nowa Nowa and Orbost. Alexander McCooke

Crossing the flood plain approaching Orbost. These bridges will not be restored. Alexander McCooke

Train leaving Orbost DD 578. PBPS Archives

Web Links

• East Gippsland Rail Trail Official Site
• Rail trail users experience

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Related Information

• Discuss this trail in our Victoria Rail Trails Forum
• More trails in this region
• Find other trails with our Rail Trail Finder

Rail Trails of Victoria and South Australia This trail is included in our guide book Rail trails of Victorian and South Australia. The book features 25 rail trails. It includes plenty of photos, detailed descriptions and full colour maps. It is available from book shops and bike shops or order direct.

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