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- Rail Trail
- On Road
- Potential Rail Trail
- Other Trail
- former Railway
Experience the tall timber country in the mountains of Noojee. Only 127km scenic drive from Melbourne, offering a feeling of turning back time to the days of sawmills singing and steam trains puffing their freight over huge trestle bridges and up the steep grade.
This rail trail is short on distance but high on experiencing something different, the heritage listed Noojee Trestle bridge. At an impressive 102m long and 21m heigh this curve bridge is something to be seen.
Noojee is hidden in a valley on the Latrobe River with food, beverages and accommodation available.
Nearby Attractions
- The Noojee Heritage Centre – J 550 Steam loco and old freight wagons
- The amazing Noojee Heritage Trestle Bridge
- Natural flora and fauna, Wombats, echidnas and wallabies, birds including Lyrebirds and Kookaburras
- Mountain Grey Gums and Mountain Ash trees standing straight and tall with ferny valleys
- The Latrobe River crystal waters
Last updated: 6 July 2022
This rail trail is part of the branch line from Warragul which opened to Noojee in 1919 to access the timber reserves in the hills around Noojee.
- The rail trail starts at the Noojee Heritage Centre and crosses over the Mt Baw Baw Tourist Road.
- The grade is level for about 600m then changes to a 1 in 45 incline.
- The rail trail overlooks the small town of Noojee as it turns to the left.
- About 1.3km was where the old Goodwoods timber siding was located.
- At 3km arrive at the Noojee trestle bridge.
- There are steep steps each side of the bridge which lead to the carpark below.
- The trail narrows and ends another 300m along, where another trestle bridge once spanned the gully below.
Noojee Trestle bridge from the ground
Riding on the Noojee Trestle Bridge
Running the Warragul-Noojee Railway line
Information and Links
The Noojee Trestle Bridge Rail Trail is managed by the DEWLP and the Baw Baw Shire.
Tourism services may be accessed from Visit Baw Baw at its website or by calling Baw Baw Shire Toll Free: 1300 BAW BAW (1300 229 229). Tel: +61 3 5624 2411.
https://www.visitbawbaw.com.au/discover/explore/rokeby-to-neerim-trail/
Contact Rail Trails Australia
To contact us about this rail trail, email vic@railtrails.org.au
Background Information
Traditional owners
We acknowledge the Kurnai people, the traditional custodians of the land and waterways on which the rail trail is constructed.
Development and future of the rail trail
The Noojee and District Historical Society’s plans to restore the original railway site in Noojee including the station and surrounding tracks, goods shed, turn table and new additions of an underground museum and cultural centre.
The official opening of the ‘Noojee Heritage Project Centre’ occurred in December 2011 comprising of the Society’s five-stage plan to reconstruct the site. The Noojee Heritage Project Centre will begin with stage one, which will see the construction of the goods shed and surrounding decking, a car park and appropriate signage in the township.
Baw Baw Shire is planning to extend the Noojee trestle Bridge rail trail to the rail trail at Neerim, which will include the Rokeby Crossover section.
Railway history
This trail is part of the branch line from Warragul that opened in 1919.
The branch line from Warragul first opened in 1890 to Rokeby, then 1892 to Neerim South. In 1915 the State Government wanted to access the tall timber at Noojee and decided to construct the railway which opened from Neerim South to Nayook in 1917. After building seven trestle bridges the line was then opened to Noojee in 1919. The bridge seen today is bridge No7, a height of 21m and 102m long and was the third largest bridge.
Seven years after opening in 1926 bushfire struck, burning five of the seven bridges including bridge No7. Then only five years later the 1939 Black Friday bush fires, bridge No7 was destroyed and had to be rebuilt again. The cost of keeping the line open was huge compared to the revenue from it. From 1939 to 1945 World War II reduced the demand for timber.
By the1950’s road transport was competing against the railway, and after a fire in 1954 on bridge No2, a 30 meter high bridge, the line was closed from Noojee to Nayook.
It was gradually closed in sections between 1954 and 1958. This area suffers from bushfires and required a lot of expensive repairs on many occasions. The Noojee Trestle was actually destroyed by fire in 1939, and rebuilt again in the same year. It is an impressive structure spanning 102 metres, is 21 metres high, and is supported by 19 sets of piles.
4 reviews of “Noojee Trestle Bridge Rail Trail”
2/27 2nd Jan 2019. 2nd Rail Trail completed in my quest to ride every RT in Victoria this year. This is short and close to home so an esay one to knock off. A really nice area at the start with an old engine on display. The Noojee Trestle Bridge is beautiful and very picturesque. I went as far possible past the Bridge until a tree across path blocked my way, although I think I was only a few hundred metres from the end before turning around and going back to the start. You can follow me on FB Warwick Duncan – The 2nd Chance Man or Insta @warwick_rides
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX-b3RnjRGM
Only called in for a visit on our way back from Warburton but a fantastic walk around and across the bridge. Wedding party there taking photos to add to the magic.
I rode this trail today (26th December 2014). It is a short well maintained trail – with two great tourist sites at either end – the Noojee station and the Trestle bridge. The track is well maintained and hybrid bikes will be fine. Honestly, it is too short for riding – and would be better suited for walking, given I rode the distance in less than 15 mins. Very impressed with the Noojee area.