Gippsland’s local Federal Member of Parliament “Darren Chester”, the Minister of Veteran Affairs, recently secured a $267,000 grant for the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail to fund improvements to this iconic rail trail.
The Gippsland Plains Rail Trail today runs from the regional town Traralgon to the amazing town of Stratford in Central Gippsland, Victoria and is some 67 kilometres long. This prized rail trail follows the previously existing railway line that was built in 1883 that operated between Traralgon and Stratford which also had stops at the towns Heyfield and Maffra.
In its day the rail line was an important cargo and passenger service that connected Far East Gippsland and Central Gippsland with Melbourne and it was primarily used to transport processed timber and sugar beet to support Melbourne’s growth as a booming economy. As the Victorian economy changed along with the decline in freight being transported, in 1986 the rail service between Traralgon and Cowarr was closed, soon to be followed by the closure of the line to Maffra in 1994.
In 2004 passionate local community groups commenced construction on the first section of the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail and was officially opened in 2005 and they have continued to maintain the trail through the East Gippsland Rail Trail committee of management.
The recent federal funding that was provided has contributed to a brand new 25-metre bridge over Eaglehawk Creek between Glengarry and Toongabbie, which was constructed and installed in May 2020 by a local Gippsland welding and fabrication business. Also, more recently, seven kilometres of the trail between Traralgon and Glengarry have been sealed which has been managed by the passionate and local community spirited Gippsland Plains Rail Trail Committee chaired by Helen Hoppner.
Minister Chester made the following statements in his media release:
“The Gippsland Plains Rail Trail is a fantastic asset and these works to improve local infrastructure supports local jobs with the construction and installation of the Eaglehawk bridge undertaken by Gippsland business T & S Welding and Fabrication. My Active Gippsland plan is all about providing more opportunities for locals and visitors to get outdoors and visit our region. Our extensive network of rail trails is just one element to maintain and financially support as we recover from the impact of the bushfires but also coronavirus restrictions”.
For further information, please see:
The e-bike is a great way to get more people and families using the rail trails in Australia! Bicycle Network believes e...
This week, we received the tragic news that the Mullumbimby railway station on the old Northern Rivers Railway was destr...
If you would like to be able to wheel your bike onto new NSW country trains to get to rail trails please contact the NSW...
The Feasibility Study for the Boorowa to Galong Rail Trail (BGRT) in south west NSW was completed in November 2022. The ...
The iconic Northern Rivers Rail Trail keeps rolling on! On the occasion of the opening of the Casino to Bentley stag...
As part of its ongoing advocacy work and community engagement, the Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail Inc. Group recentl...
The Adelaide to Port Dock railway line was constructed in 1856 to service the passenger and freight movement between the...
Early bird registrations are open until April 12 for Lake High – ‘Walk for Autism’ on April 26, 2024 for teams of ...
The official opening of the Casino to Bentley stage of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail was held at the Old Casino Station...
While most of the work extending the Great Southern Rail Trail from Welshpool to Alberton had been completed by the end ...
The long-awaited New England Rail Trail (NERT) stage 1 from Glen Innes to Ben Lomond in northern NSW is now a very big s...
An extension to the Amy Gillett Rail Trail will go ahead after a funding agreement was reached. Stage Four of the Amy Gi...
Riders and walkers will soon have another escape from the very popular Warburton Rail Trail courtesy of a program to cle...
On the 24 February the Atherton district and beyond saw members of the running and outdoor fraternity enjoying an inform...
Sunday, March 3 saw over 100 cyclists of various ages and abilities enjoy a bike ride under a clear blue sky and perfect...
After detailed historical and site investigations, Heritage Victoria have placed the former Rushworth Railway Station on...
Stay up to date with the latest news about Rail Trails with our free email news.
Register for news updatesThe e-bike is a great way to get more people and families using the rail trails in Australia! Bicycle Network believes e...
This week, we received the tragic news that the Mullumbimby railway station on the old Northern Rivers Railway was destr...
If you would like to be able to wheel your bike onto new NSW country trains to get to rail trails please contact the NSW...
The Feasibility Study for the Boorowa to Galong Rail Trail (BGRT) in south west NSW was completed in November 2022. The ...
The iconic Northern Rivers Rail Trail keeps rolling on! On the occasion of the opening of the Casino to Bentley stag...
As part of its ongoing advocacy work and community engagement, the Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail Inc. Group recentl...
The Adelaide to Port Dock railway line was constructed in 1856 to service the passenger and freight movement between the...
Early bird registrations are open until April 12 for Lake High – ‘Walk for Autism’ on April 26, 2024 for teams of ...
The official opening of the Casino to Bentley stage of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail was held at the Old Casino Station...
While most of the work extending the Great Southern Rail Trail from Welshpool to Alberton had been completed by the end ...
The long-awaited New England Rail Trail (NERT) stage 1 from Glen Innes to Ben Lomond in northern NSW is now a very big s...
An extension to the Amy Gillett Rail Trail will go ahead after a funding agreement was reached. Stage Four of the Amy Gi...
Riders and walkers will soon have another escape from the very popular Warburton Rail Trail courtesy of a program to cle...
On the 24 February the Atherton district and beyond saw members of the running and outdoor fraternity enjoying an inform...
Sunday, March 3 saw over 100 cyclists of various ages and abilities enjoy a bike ride under a clear blue sky and perfect...
After detailed historical and site investigations, Heritage Victoria have placed the former Rushworth Railway Station on...