Gippsland Plains Rail Trail - Trail Description

Features

• This trail passes through generally flat dairy farm country with mountain views
• The trail is under development with a potential total of 67km
• Two sections are currently open Stratford to Heyfield and Cowwarr to Glengarry
• Most bridges have been removed, and require low level crossings
• You can access the trail by train from Melbourne at Stratford or Traralgon (currently on road) so for those willing to ride on road it is possible to ride one way and return by train

Description

Access Points

• Stratford - 2km south of town at junction of Maffra Rd & Princess Hwy
• Maffra - Behind the Dept of Sustainability & Environment office on Maffra Rd
• Tinamba
• Heyfield - Heyfield wetlands centre on western edge of town
• Cowwarr - 50m south on the Traralgon to Maffra Rd
• Toongabbie - Corner of Stringer Rd and Traralgon-Maffra Rd
• Glengarry - At the station building opposite the hotel

Stratford to Maffra (7.5km)

•  To gain access to the rail trail from Stratford, use the cycle path south of the township just over the Avon River, next to the Princess Hwy.
• This trail runs alongside the Princess Hwy until it reaches the main Railway line.
• The trail then continues alongside the working rail line until you reach the old branch line.
• On the outskirts of Stratford, the rail bridge on the old branch line over the Stratford - Maffra Rd has been removed.  Access to the trail is via a ramp on the south side of the road.
• The trail head at Maffra is at the "Gippsland Vehicle Collection"
• Continue onto the main St and through the CBD

Stratford is a small town with basic visitors facilities

Maffra is a regional centre with numerous facilities for visitors.

Maffra to Tinamba (8km)

• Leaving Maffra the trail rejoins Johnson St at the Macalister River Bridge
• The trail passes through a delightful wetland and forest on route to Tinamba
• the trail has an excellent surface and crosses a number of restored creek crossings

Tinamba is a small town with minimal facilities

Tinamba to Heyfield ( 9.5km)

• From Tinamba the trail extends on an excellent gravel surface for 3km to McKinnons Rd
• The next 6.5km to Heyfield is on a rougher surface but suitable for hybrid bikes

Cowwarr to Toongabbie (10km)

• This section is well developed, and features peaceful car-free riding through dairy country.
• At Cowwarr, the station platform can be seen 150m along the trail
• Several original bridges remain in place.
• As the trail continues south west towards Toongabbie, you will need to dismount to get through some steel gates
• About 6km from Cowwarr the path crosses a deep gorge with stone walls and steel barricades.  These barriers were installed in the 1950's to slow down the erosive effects of the Fells Creek
• The trail surface remains good into Toongabbie, after being upgraded in March 2013. Cross the Traralgon-Maffra Rd to continue.

Toongabbie to Glengarry (7km)

• The trail finishes at the old Glengarry Railway Station, which is now a craft shop.

Toongabbie is a small town with only one store, refer Sponsored Links below.

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

Background Information

The line from Traralgon to Stratford via Maffra was built in 1883, and served as an alternative route to East Gippsland.   It was very busy until the 1950's carrying sugar beet from Maffra, and timber from Heyfield. In its later years, the main purpose of the line was servicing the dairy industry in the Maffra area.  The line closed in stages, the first stage being Traralgon to Cowwarr in 1986, and then Cowwarr to Maffra in 1994.  The rails were pulled up shortly after.

The first section of the rail trail opened in 2005.

VLine run passenger train services from Melbourne to Bairnsdale via Traralgon, Sale and Stratford.

Links

To report any issues on the rail trail or for further information contact

Gippsland Plains Rail Trail Committee of Management - 7 Park Av, Cowwarr.  Ph: 03 5148 9214

www.gippslandplainsrailtrail.com.au

Traralgon Visitor Information Ph: 1800 621 409

Support Services and Attractions

Rail Trail Inn - Toongabbie

Toongabbie's general store and cafe

Accomodation

Happy Days accomodation

Happy Days Accommodation

Budget and short term cabin accomdation in Tinambra

March 2013