The way points of this bicycle route:
Stratford Trailhead is located adjacent to the Avon River bridge at the entry to the town. The trailhead has toilets, bbq, water, parking, playground facilities. No camping at trailhead as a caravan park is located immediately adjacent to the trailhead.
The trail continues under the Avon River Bridge
The Trail does a sharp hook turn and travels south across the Avon River bridge on the pedestrian footpath.
After coming off the bridge, the gravel Stratford Connection Trail begins. This 3km trail connects to the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail proper.
Road Crossing across Inverbroom Road, the original Princes Hwy
Turning right along the trail follows the operational Bairnsdale Rail Line. The trail leaves the Princes Highway at the "viaduct", a narrow overhead railway bridge that was always a major hazard for cyclists until the new trail was built in 2008
Please shut the gates as you are travelling through an operational dairy farm
The Stratford Connection Trail ends here and the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail begins. Road Crossing please take care.
Site of original Nuntin (Powerscourt) siding. Used for loading of sugar beet 1890-1920s
Exit via Fulton Rd to visit or stay at the Maffra Golf Club. Approx 1.9k from the trail.
Cross the road to the Gippsland Vehicle Collection
The Maffra Trail Head is located in the grounds of the Gippsland Vehicle Collection. This museum of motoring is a major visitor attraction in the region and can provide toilets, tea & coffee, parking. Located at the top of Maffra's main street it is a convenient location to cycle a section of the trail.
Leafy, tree lined Johnson St has historic verandahs and many interesting shops.
Gippsland's speciality backpacker hostel, Cambrai offers quality group accommodation in modern surrounds and with full facilities. Great for cycling clubs to use as a base whilst exploring the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail.
Main Street Rotunda.
The Maffra Visitors Information Centre provides local information, coffee, local food and wine as well as hosting "Pino's Cave", a fascinating collection of luminous minerals. Free admission
Maffra's main street ends and becomes C105 - Traralgon-Maffra Rd. Continue West along C105
Cross the Thompson River bridge and continue straight ahead for approx 2km until the off road rail trail re-commences
The Rail Trail re-commences slightly to the West of the Riversdale Road intersection. Follow the signs to the trail.
The Serpentine Creek is crossed via a newly constructed crossing. Thanks DSE.
Crossing this country road remains of the original Traralgon- Maffra railway line are evident
Crossing Wickham Creek is easy on newly constructed crossing...thanks DSE
The Tinamba township offers hotel, b&b accommodation and a general store. Historic railway crossing gates mark the route continuation to Heyfield
The highest point on the trail provides panoramic views to the mountain ranges to the north.
Historic Three Mile Crossing. Historic plaque located at this site.
The trail ends at Gordon St and becomes part of a pleasant park in the middle of town. Access to Temple St with many shops is located mid way through the park. Toilets, bbq, shade, playground & water all available.
The gravel Railtrail path ends at this spot and recommences outside Heyfield township, approx 3km. To access rail trail continue West from the Railway Park along Racecourse Rd (shared pathway) until the trail network of the Heyfield Wetlands comes into view on the south side of the street.
The trail network of the Heyfield Wetlands Reserve is used to re-connect with the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail west of Heyfield. From Racecourse Rd, veer left onto the wetlands trails with your destination (500m) the sealed road to the south - Commercial Rd.
The Heyfield Wetlands trails provides a cross wetland linkage to Racecourse Rd and reconnection to the rail trail. The Heyfield Wetlands Centre located to the east of the trail network provides toilets, visitor information, parking and is the Heyfield Trailhead.
The trail is rejoined near the former railway trestle bridge (demolished) site. Signage shows the 100 metre bush track that connects the Heyfield-Seaton Rd to the trail through bush and scrub. The track is rough but clearly evident. It may be necessary to walk bicycles up this 100 metre section due to its steep grade.
The Dawson Flora Reserve is the current end of the gravel trail between Heyfield and Cowwarr. The reserve provides information regarding the species of plants indigenous to the Gippsland Plains. The location is the site of a former rail siding. A road ride along country back roads is required to re connect with the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail within the Cowwarr township.
Turn south to proceed to Cowwarr via the Cowwarr -Seaton Rd.
Follow the Cowwarr-Seaton Rd route to Cowwarr.
Crossing the Thomson River and the landcare reserve proceed straight ahead (south) to Cowwarr.
Turn East to Cowwarr township, approx 1km. Trail rejoins and continues to Toongabbie, Glengarry and Traralgon near the general store.
General Store and Hotel provide food and beverage. Cowwarr Art Space great coffee and regular exhibitions.
Climbing from Cowwarr road crossing at Traralgon Maffra Rd provides spectacular views of nearby mountains.
Toongabbie township has recently upgraded wetlands incorporating trail and new bridge. Toongabbie Oasis General Store.
The current end (or beginning) of the gravel Gippsland Plains Rail Trail. Historic Railway Station is the trailhead.
Continue south on the C105 to Traralgon.
Crossing the Latrobe River on the C105 en route to Traralgon
The beginning of the C105 at the Eastern end of Traralgon is the commencement of the ride between Traralgon and Stratford.
Victory Park is a pleasant park located in the middle of town with toilets, bbq, sound shell, sculpture and is adjacent to McDonalds !
The Traralgon Station is located at the head of the main street and adjacent to the Latrobe Visitor Information Centre - open 7 days.
Welcome to Bikely, take a step by step tour of this path:
Press Start Tour - then use the navigation buttons below to move along the path.
The Gippsland Plains Rail Trail extends almost 70km from Traralgon to Stratford in Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. The trail is currently (2008) a combination of good quality fine gravel and well compacted hard gravel surfaces. Some road riding sections are required. The trail proper begins at Glengarry and continues to Cowwarr where a short road section along country backroads reconnects to the trail and to Heyfield and then on to Stratford. Images on the www.gippslandplainsrailtrail.com.au show the current surface conditions.
Tagged with: Recreational, Onroad, MTB, Smooth, Basic, Offroad, Low traffic, Rough, Urban, Rural, Scenic, Touring
