Go Back To Trail Finder
Trail Open

Tyers Junction Rail Trail

Victoria - Gippsland

2.3 based on 4 reviews
Location: Gippsland, 30km north of Moe, 160km from Melbourne
Length: 7 km
Surface: Compacted earth
Start / End: Collins Siding to Telbit Crossing
Public Transport: Bus
Suitable for:
  • Cycling – Mountain BikesCycling – Mountain Bikes
  • Horse RidingHorse Riding
  • WalkingWalking

  • Rail Trail
  • On Road
  • Potential RT
  • Other Trail
  • Former Railway
View Map
  • It’s great for bushwalking and mountain-biking enthusiasts
  • It passes through rainforest, fern gullies, messmate and stringy bark forest
  • Plenty of birds and seasonal wildflowers
  • The Walhalla Goldfields Rail Trail and some rich gold mining history are nearby

Nearby Attractions

  • At Tyers Junction, the eastern and western branches of the Tyers River used to feature timber tramways that are now walking tracks. The more interesting of the two is the Eastern Tyers Walking Trail. Both tracks are not developed and only suitable for walking. Ask at the Caringal Scout Camp office for directions
  • Petersons Lookout in Tyers Park, off Tyers-Walhalla Rd, has picnic facilities plus views of Tyers Gorge and the Latrobe Valley
  • Erica MTB Park’s West Trails area features two intermediate-level downhill runs that include sections of the rail trail
  • Walhalla Goldfields Rail Trail
  • Mushroom Rock
  • Mt Baw Baw

Last updated: 2 December 2023

This is not your standard rail trail as the line was a timber tramway. You can expect mud and fallen trees in winter. Then there’s the snakes and flying mountain bike riders in summer. Road base rock has been used in places, which may cause punctures.

Access points

  • At Collins Siding, the start of the trail is not signposted. Travelling along Moe-Walhalla Rd (C466), watch for Telbit Rd on the left (also signposted to Caringal Scout Camp) 23km from Moe and 2km before Erica. The trail begins 200m past Telbit Rd, just after Collins Siding’s last house. There is space for some off-road parking but it’s not recommended in winter, when you should use Old Government Rd or park at the Erica MTB Park western trail hub 1km closer to Erica
  • If starting from Telbit Crossing, look for a “Tyers Junction Rail Trail” sign where the tramway crossed the road

Section Guides

Collins Siding-Telbit Crossing (7km)

Note: Only 7km of the rail trail, from Collins Siding to Telbit Crossing, is open. What remains of the rest of the railway corridor is not maintained. You can create a loop walk/ride by returning up Telbit Rd to Collins Siding

  • From Collins Siding, follow the trail downhill through mountain ash forest to Telbit Crossing
  • The trail crosses creeks where tramway bridges used to be. The one at John Creek has had major work to handle Forest Fire Management vehicles
  • The trail meanders through forest and tree ferns
  • Common heath is in bloom in late winter and spring
  • Look and listen for lyrebirds, kookaburras and fan-tailed cuckoos
  • You may also see swamp wallabies, koalas and spiny anteaters
  • The trail passes farmland to the east before crossing Middle Creek and passing a Finns Tk branch on the right
  • After climbing to Telbit Crossing, where there was a sweeping curve at Telbit Rd, the rail reserve enters private land

EXPLORER ROUTE (3km)

  • You can ride down the gravel road to Tyers Junction. The surface is well maintained but that’s for the logging trucks so keep an eye out for warning signs
  • There are sections of the rail alignment below the road and then an extended section above the road on the right which is being maintained by trailbikes
  • On the way, look for the remains of Christies Bridge
  • Enjoy one of the walking tracks or a picnic by the river before returning to Collins Siding via Telbit Rd or ride back up the trail
  • There is camping available to the public at Caringal Scout Camp

Do you know of a bike hire or transportation service on this rail trail that should appear here? If so, let us know at admin@railtrails.org.au.

Advertise your business here

Leave a Review

You must be logged in to post a review.

4 reviews of “Tyers Junction Rail Trail”

I rode this trail (end-to end and return) yesterday. Even though it is mid-summer there are still some small mud patches and a few potholes full of water. Definitely a summer only ride. Forget about doing it in winter. Other than that, it is a good ride through lovely forest. Only problem is a couple of small sections with loose scoria where you can easily have a spill if you are not careful or going to fast.

In March, 2021, I led a group of nine bushwalkers on the rail trail (7km) from Collins Siding (corner of Telbit Rd and Moe-Walhalla Rd) through to Telbit Crossing (just south of Finns Tk). The walkers were very impressed with the natural beauty and good condition of the trail. There was currently no signage on the Moe-Walhalla Rd to promote the existence of the trail so you need to look for the trailhead to the right of a small group of houses on the main road.

I rode this trail on 3rd of December 3014, along with the Walhalla goldfields trail. This trail is only possible between Collins siding and Telbit Road – and only when its dry. Don’t attempt during or after heavy rain. Along Telbit road the trail is too overgrown, almost impossible to find, and even with a bit of bush bashing, I had to turn back. To make it a loop, I road back along Telbit Rd. The best part is around Collins siding and just before Telbit road where you are essentially riding along fire access tracks.

Hi we just spent Easter 2013 at The Scout Camp. Great spot pity that the Rail trail is very overgrown. We did want to link through to the MTB tracks from camp! After 2 ks and a lot of clearing we headed back on the road.
Needs clearing to keep access!!

Background Information

Traditional Owners

We acknowledge the Kurnai people, the traditional custodians of the land and waterways on which the rail trail is built.

Rail Line History

The Tyers Valley Tramway was a narrow-gauge line built by the Forestry Commission of Victoria to exploit the timber resources on the slopes of Mt Baw Baw. The tramway met with the Victorian Railways’ narrow-gauge line from Moe to Walhalla at Collins Siding, and was built to the same 2 ft 6 in (762mm) gauge.  The tramways serving the Tyers Valley were largely destroyed by bushfires in 1926. Rather than rebuild them, the Forestry Commission decided to construct a higher standard tramway to serve all the private sawmills in the district.

The tramway used secondhand, 40lb rails from Tasmania. It had a maximum grade of 1 in 30 (3.33%) and the curves had a minimum radius of 80ft (24.38m). No ballast was used but there were more  sleepers than normal … timber availability not being an issue

The tramway extended 9.8km from Collins Siding to Tyers Junction, where the line divided to follow the two branches of the Tyers River.

It closed in 1949, and its Climax locomotive moved to the government sawmill at Erica. That engine has since been restored for the Puffing Billy Railway, along with one of the TALC tractors.

New 2011 Article by Trail Manager

Posted: 16/04/11

New article created by a Trail manager in Archive 2011.

Linville Station Turns 100! (QLD)

Posted: 23/10/10

Linville Station Building. Photo credit: Alexander McCooke The ...

More...

Curdies Trestle Bridge Official Opening (VIC)

Posted: 23/10/10

Riders enjoying the newly restored bridge. Matthew Graham ...

More...

Daylesford to Woodend Trail is another step closer (VIC)

Posted: 18/10/10

Domino Trail between Trentham and Lyonville. Photo credit: Andy ...

More...

Railtrails Australia 2010 AGM

Posted: 12/10/10

Railtrails Australia will be holding the 2010 Annual General Meeting at the usual location, Carlton North ...

More...

New Summer Bus link From Colac to Beech Forest and Lavers Hill (VIC)

Posted: 08/10/10

The Victorian Government is funding a bus service from Colac to Lavers Hill in the ...

More...

Great Southern Rail Trail (Gippsland, Victoria) Heritage Day

Posted: 02/01/07

On Sunday 14th January 2007 the South Gippsland Tourist Railway is celebrating the reopening of their ...

More...
Trail descriptions are maintained by volunteers. Please consider a donation to help improve this website. Rail Trails Australia gets no government funding.
Share

Nearby Trails

Walhalla Goldfields Rail Trail

Walhalla Goldfields Rail Trail

165km east of Melbourne

7 km
Moe – Yallourn Rail Trail

Moe – Yallourn Rail Trail

Latrobe Valley 130km east of Melbourne

7 km
Noojee Trestle Bridge Rail Trail

Noojee Trestle Bridge Rail Trail

100km east of Melbourne

3 km
Rokeby to Crossover Rail Trail

Rokeby to Crossover Rail Trail

North of Warragul, 103km from Melbourne

5 km
Gippsland Plains Rail Trail

Gippsland Plains Rail Trail

Near Traralgon, Gippsland, 190km east of Melbourne

62 km
Grand Ridge Rail Trail

Grand Ridge Rail Trail

Strzelecki Ranges, South Gippsland, Victoria, 160km from Melbourne

13 km
Powelltown Tramways

Powelltown Tramways

Yarra Ranges, 80 km east of Melbourne

31 km
Great Southern Rail Trail & Tarra Trail

Great Southern Rail Trail & Tarra Trail

South Gippsland, 130 km southeast of Melbourne

109 km
Eastern Dandenong Ranges Trail

Eastern Dandenong Ranges Trail

Dandenongs, 50 km southeast of CBD

15 km
Warburton Rail Trail/Yarra Valley Trail

Warburton Rail Trail/Yarra Valley Trail

Yarra Valley, 50 km east of Melbourne CBD

48 km
Bass Coast Rail Trail

Bass Coast Rail Trail

130km south-east of Melbourne

23 km
Heathmont to Belgrave Trail

Heathmont to Belgrave Trail

Eastern suburbs, 40 km from the CBD

16 km
Mornington Railside Trail

Mornington Railside Trail

Mornington Peninsula, 60 km south of CBD

4 km
Outer Circle Rail Trail

Outer Circle Rail Trail

Eastern suburbs, 6 km from Melbourne CBD

17 km
Rosstown Rail Trail

Rosstown Rail Trail

Southern suburbs, 9 km from the CBD

8.8 km
Hawthorn to Kew Rail Trail

Hawthorn to Kew Rail Trail

Inner suburbs, 9 km east Melbourne CBD

1 km
Great Victorian Rail Trail

Great Victorian Rail Trail

90 km north of Melbourne

134 km

Nearby Trails