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Register for news updatesThe Great Southern Rail Trail is growing in length apace in both directions. As the North-West extension to Nyora has its completion imminent, in the last month tenders for work on the eastern section to Alberton (22 km) are closing this week.
This will provide not only an additional “spur line” access from Alberton to Port Albert to the south (6 Kms), but alternatively gives direct connection to the Tarra trail north to Yarram, resulting in a stunning total length of 135 km, and making it the longest rail trail in Victoria (just) and the second longest in Australia, behind the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.
The Welshpool/Alberton section of the trail is funded to the tune of $6m by the Victorian government and will be delivered by the South Gippsland and Wellington Shire Councils. It was originally dur for completion in January 2023 and once we have some timing confirmation, we will update this highly valuable development.

The Barossa Marathon on Sunday 23 August was a great success with perfect weather, light winds and a record 3,500 compet...
Heavy rain and subsequent flooding have cut the Southern Flinders Rail Trail in South Australia, 1km north of Stone Hut....
Bass Coast Shire Council (BCSC) has closed a section of Victoria’s Bass Coast Rail Trail due to erosion concerns. ...
Great news for rail trail enthusiasts! A construction tender has been awarded to kick off the next phase of the Wadandi ...
One of Australia’s best known cycling regions has introduced a program designed to help visitors in the area ident...
South Australia’s Barossa Council has received an additional $100,000 grant through the Government of South Austra...
Northern Rivers Rail Trail (NRRT) has done it again – winning gold at the 2026 North Coast Regional Tourism Awards...
Rail Trail Australia’s (RTA) Community Grants program 2026-2027 is open and taking applications now. The scope and fun...
Grand Ridge Rail Trail Committee of Management (CoM) has installed brand new information signs along the 13km rail trail...
Brisbane Valley Rail Trail (BVRT) trail manager Qld Department of Transport and Main Roads has just completed a 10km sur...
Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC) is asking for public support to reopen Lapstone Tunnel in the lower Blue Mountains. R...
Show your support for Rail Trails Australia by purchasing from our range of branded Rail Trails Australia clothing inclu...
Rail Trails Australia (RTA) has opened early-bird registration for the 2026 Rail Trails Conference to be held in Canberr...
The Barossa Council in South Australia has installed 2 new bench seats along the Barossa Trail near Angaston. An inclusi...
Rail Trails Australia’s (RTA) Eastern Victoria representative John Birrell attended the July launch of the Great S...
The clearing of part of the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail (BBIRT), from Barrimoon to Barrimoon Rd, towards Kalpowar, h...
Stay up to date with the latest news about Rail Trails with our free email news.
Register for news updatesThe Barossa Marathon on Sunday 23 August was a great success with perfect weather, light winds and a record 3,500 compet...
Heavy rain and subsequent flooding have cut the Southern Flinders Rail Trail in South Australia, 1km north of Stone Hut....
Bass Coast Shire Council (BCSC) has closed a section of Victoria’s Bass Coast Rail Trail due to erosion concerns. ...
Great news for rail trail enthusiasts! A construction tender has been awarded to kick off the next phase of the Wadandi ...
One of Australia’s best known cycling regions has introduced a program designed to help visitors in the area ident...
South Australia’s Barossa Council has received an additional $100,000 grant through the Government of South Austra...
Northern Rivers Rail Trail (NRRT) has done it again – winning gold at the 2026 North Coast Regional Tourism Awards...
Rail Trail Australia’s (RTA) Community Grants program 2026-2027 is open and taking applications now. The scope and fun...
Grand Ridge Rail Trail Committee of Management (CoM) has installed brand new information signs along the 13km rail trail...
Brisbane Valley Rail Trail (BVRT) trail manager Qld Department of Transport and Main Roads has just completed a 10km sur...
Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC) is asking for public support to reopen Lapstone Tunnel in the lower Blue Mountains. R...
Show your support for Rail Trails Australia by purchasing from our range of branded Rail Trails Australia clothing inclu...
Rail Trails Australia (RTA) has opened early-bird registration for the 2026 Rail Trails Conference to be held in Canberr...
The Barossa Council in South Australia has installed 2 new bench seats along the Barossa Trail near Angaston. An inclusi...
Rail Trails Australia’s (RTA) Eastern Victoria representative John Birrell attended the July launch of the Great S...
The clearing of part of the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail (BBIRT), from Barrimoon to Barrimoon Rd, towards Kalpowar, h...
8 comments on “Further Sections of Great Southern Rail Trail Closer to Reality”
And an extension from Nyora to Cranbourne would make the whole thing easily accessible by public transport – bring it on – please
Rode the section from Leongatha to Loch last weekend and enjoyed it immensely, I can't wait until it connects all the way back to the suburban rail network so we can get to it without having to drive out there
One thing it does need is signage on the new sections, there's no indication of how far to each town and preferably, a cross section to show the climbs
Hi Adrian, thank you for your feedback. I will follow up to see what the plans are for signage. I believe grade maps on rail trails are a great idea, especially for old people like me! Keith
Great news. Planning to walk the current length in late November. Is it expected that the Nyora/loch section be completed by then?
Hi Louise, the design engineer advises us "We are expecting the final bridge to be finishing up late Oct-2022, with some final trail works to follow. We expect the trail to be fully open by Late Nov – Early December 2022 with an official opening in the New Year".
I will visit the site regularly and update our website with any changes. Thank you for contacting us. Keith West Gippsland Rep.
This is great.
Is there any news about extending the western end and possible connection to the Bass Coast Rail Trail? (i.e from Nyora to Woolamai.)
Hi Marcel, that would be fantastic. Unfortunately, we have no news of that happening the near future. I guess it all comes down to funding. If we hear anything we will post it our website. regards Keith
Hi Marcel – In great news, funding for a Rail Trail extension from Woolamai to Nyora will be sought by the South Gippsland and Bass Coast Shires, to connect the Bass Coast Rail Trail and Phillip Island to the Great Southern Rail Trail – see the news posted on 4/10/2022.