East Gippsland Rail Trail

Orbost to Bairnsdale, Distance: 101km, 3 days
Region: South Eastern Victoria
Written up by: U3A Yarra City OYB
Last ridden: 26th-28th November 2019

Overview

This is a great three-day ride that can start at Orbost and end in Bairnsdale or vice-versa. We started at Orbost.

The best time to ride the trail is probably in spring, when the East Gippsland forests and farming country are at their best and the risk of bushfire is generally low. The first and second days of the ride are mostly through lovely open forest and past some spectacular and historic timber railway trestle bridges. The third day is through gently rolling farming country.

If you have not previously organised an overnight ride, you may like to visit our page Hints and Tips for Overnight Rides.

Food and Accommodation

There is accommodation available at Orbost, Nowa Nowa, Bruthen and Bairnsdale.

In Orbost there are a couple of motels. Accommodation is limited in Nowa Nowa and Bruthen and early booking is recommended. Options include the Nowa Nowa Tavern and, in Bruthen cottages such as Pandella Place Guest House and Bruthen Cottage.

There are bakeries and/or cafes in Orbost, Nowa Nowa, Bruthen, and Bairnsdale and a general store in Nowa Nowa. There is a general store in Nicholson.

The main dining options were pubs. We chose the Orbost Club Hotel, Nowa Nowa Tavern and Bruthen Inn Hotel, all of which were good. .

There is a water supply provided by Snowy River Cycling on the right of the trail and just before the toilets and shelter at Partellis Crossing Road.

Terrain

The trail has a number of gentle but sustained climbs in the first 2 days. These are compensated for lovely long and gentle downhill sections. The third day is gently undulating.

The condition of the trail surface generally improves the closer you get to Bairnsdale.

Getting There and Back

There is a train to Bairnsdale. Cars may be parked in Howitt Park for the duration of the ride.

To get to Orbost, one either needs to have a car shuffle, or use the services of Liz from Snowy River Cycling.

Ride Details

The trail is very well marked and signposted the whole way. Navigation is never a problem. It is strongly recommended you use the East Gippsland Rail Trail brochure and map available from Visitor Information Centres in Gippsland. The brochure and map give more than adequate information about the trail, navigation, the terrain and highlights.

Day 1: Orbost to Nowa Nowa, around 40km

The ride starts at the Orbost Visitors Information Centre in Nicholson St.
Ride about 3km to get to the official start of the trail at Burn Road, following the well marked and signposted trail from the visitors’ centre.
From the start the trail is well marked and signposted and navigation is not a problem.

Day 2: Nowa Nowa to Bruthen, 27km

Day 3 Bruthen to Bairnsdale, 31km

Variations

There is a side trip, the Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail, that leaves the main trail between Nowa Nowa and Bruthen and ends in Lakes Entrance.

Maps

A very good hard copy map of the Trail is available the Bairnsdale Visitor Information Centre 1800 637 060 240 Main Street, Bairnsdale and other Information Centres.

For more information about the trail see East Gippsland Rail Trail.

For information about the Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail side trip Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail.