The East Gippsland Rail Trail is a rail trail located in East Gippsland in Victoria, Australia. The trail is a popular cycling route, beginning in Bairnsdale and extending to Orbost, following the route of the former Gippsland railway line. The Gippsland railway line was opened in 1916 to serve the agricultural and timber industry, and required numerous substantial bridges because of the nature of the terrain. Due to the decline in traffic and heavy operating costs, the line was finally closed in August 1987 and the track infrastructure removed in 1994. The shared trail is also available for walkers and recreational horseriding, however motorised vehicles are prohibited.
The trail is long and passes through a variety of forest and farmland landscapes with occasional views of the Gippsland Lakes. Parts of the trail are accessible to any bicycle, but significant sections are suitable only for mountain bikes or sturdy hybrid bikes.
Route description
The East Gippsland Rail Trail travels from just east of the current Bairnsdale railway station along the old Gippsland railway line easement, past or through the small towns of Nicholson, Bruthen, Nowa Nowa, and Newmerella, with a short connecting path taking it into Orbost. Water and most facilities are only available in these towns, so trail users are required to be self-sufficient. The trail follows the long gradual inclines and sweeping curves of the former railway line, reaching a maximum altitude of 129m at Colquhoun.
Along its route it passes the former railway stations and/or sidings at Nicholson, Bumberrah, Mossiface, Bruthen, Colquhoun, Nowa Nowa, Tostaree, Waygara and Orbost. It passes across or past a number of former railway bridges including some large trestle bridges, and starts alongside the Mitchell River and crosses the Nicholson River, Tambo River and Snowy River, as well as several minor watercourses on its way to Orbost.
Bairnsdale to Nicholson (9km) The East Gippsland Rail Trail does not officially begin at the Bairnsdale railway station itself due to the poor condition of the old rail bridge over the Mitchell River. The trail begins on the south side of the Princes Highway opposite the Howitt Park sports grounds at McEacharn Street.
The rail trail is accessible from the town via the road or footpath on the Princes Highway road bridge across the river. Toilets and good car parking facilities are available in the main section of Howitt Park on the north side of Princes Highway. Safe access to the south side of the highway and the rail trail can be obtained by following the path alongside the Mitchell River under the road bridge and up to road level, then along between the highway and the Howitt Park sports grounds.
The trail travels east from Bairnsdale following the route of the old railway line and roughly follows the line of the Princes Highway. The trail initially passes between industrial and retail properties leading out of Bairnsdale, then travels mainly through open farmland, predominantly for cattle and horse grazing, to the town of Nicholson.
There are distant views of the Gippsland Lakes in some sections, and a number of crossings of minor roads are required, as well an unsigned crossing of the Princes Highway. The surface is sealed with asphalt and is in fair to good condition as far as the Nicholson River bridge in Nicholson, 9 km from the start of the route. The bridge is the former railway bridge across the river, now sealed with concrete, while just before the bridge is a station name board marking the site of the former Nicholson railway station.
The trail passes just to the north of the Nicholson township. Access to the town itself can be gained either by turning south at the Nicholson-Sarsfield Road, or by following a minor track along the west side of the Nicholson River. Toilets, water and barbecue facilities are available at the Nicholson boat ramp on the west bank of the river to the south of the Princes Highway.
Nicholson to Bruthen (22km) The rail trail crosses the Nicholson River on the former railway bridge. The bridge surface has been sealed with concrete and affords excellent views. Beyond the bridge the track heads inland away from the Princes Highway, and remains asphalt until Stephensons Road, and the surface then becomes a smooth compacted gravel. The trail passes through undulating farmland, veering from its easterly route to northerly direction on a gradually rougher track surface, and after 9 km reaches the old Bumberrah railway station where there is a rest stop with a shelter and information board in a remnant grassy woodland reserve.