Bicycle Network: Regional Routes

[Updated] Rail Trail shuttle bus service ready to go

25 July 2011. Perry's Bus Service is no longer operating regular shuttle service along the East Gippsland Rail Trail, as described in the posting from 25 May 2010.

Charter buses along the trail are still available for booking - contact Downeys Bus Service in Orbost by phone at 03 5154 2373

Fire destroys Hospital Creek Bridge

21 February 2011. Recent fires near Nowa Nowa have destroyed the historic historic timber bridge at Hospital Creek on the East Gippsland Rail Trail.

But sections of the Trail between Hospital Creek and Partellis Crossing— which had been closed due to burnt-out trees over the track, or threatening to fall—have been re-opened.

The pathway surface will be better than ever following quick action by DSE and volunteers to repair sections damaged due to heavy vehicle movements during fire-fighting.

Trail committee chairperson Michael Oxer said the loss of the bridge was saddening because it was one of the few artefacts from the time of the former railway that was still extent as a tourist attractions on the Nowa Nowa to Orbost section.

Mr Oxer said the fire has also come at a bad time—a period when visitors from outside the region came to ride or walk the trail while also spending other time at nearby coastal and high country attractions.

As well as the timber bridge, a toilet block Partellis Crossing was lost, but a nearby picnic table and seats set escaped the inferno.

A visitor counter instrument was also lost.

Mr Oxer said the ongoing rains in East Gippsland have also brought promise of a rapid greening of those burnt areas. "This is a long and diverse trail and only a part of the forest areas have been affected."

The fire started as a small local grass fire but in 42 degree heat and a gale force NW wind it quickly engulfed a large area.

Rail Trail shuttle bus service ready to go

25 May 2010. The East Gippsland Rail Trail is the latest to get a shuttle bus service.

Perry's Bus Service is now operating a shuttle run along the East Gippsland Rail Trail on the third Sunday of every month.

The bus will depart Orbost on Sunday afternoons at 2:00pm, stopping at Nowa Nowa at 2:30pm, Bruthen at 3:00pm and Bairnsdale at 3:30pm. The bus will turnaround for the return leg to Orbost for anyone who requires it.

If there are any special needs or requests, the bus service should be able to accommodate desired alterations to the service.

Perry's Bus Service can be contacted on: (03) 5154 1207 or through the web at: www.perrysbusservice.com.au

Have you got a ute you can give or lend to the East Gippsland Rail Trail?

30 March 2010. They have a trailer and a mulcher but need a towing vehicle that can carry their trail maintenance equipment.

Typical jobs the volunteer team do include cutting up fallen trees, removing weeds, fencing and fence repairs, installing kilometre posts, planting and watering. The mulcher is busy with young black wattle which is becoming a serious problem on the trail edge. 

Their dreams are of a four wheel drive, four seater ute but I'm sure that if one of you have one out the back, they would be delighted with that as well. Contact Michael Oxer.

If you haven’t got a ute you can contribute $45 and become a Family Friend for three years.

Bridge works

March 08 The Nicholson Bridge timber deck has been resurfaced and the new bridge at Nowa Nowa is ready for you to ride.

Check out updates on the Trail website. See link to right.

Flood repairs well underway

Aug 07 The East Gippsland Rail Trail Committee is currently working hard to repair damage to the trail that was caused by recent flooding. Major earthworks are almost complete on the worst hit section near Bruthen and fallen trees have been removed along the trail.

For a detailed description of the flood damage and subsequent repairs visit the East Gippsland Rail Trail website.

Trail supporters deserve praise for making these repairs happen so quickly. They are great news for riders keen to ride on the trail. The Committee advises that the trail is open for use and they ask that riders take caution where repairs are occurring.

Flood Damage to Trail

Jul 07 The recent heavy rains have been a relief to the Victorian water supplies but unfortunately there has been damage to East Gippsland Rail Trail.

The East Gippsland Rail Trail Committee of Management have advised that parts of their rail trail have been damaged. The Bairnsdale to Bruthen section is fine for riding but the committee haven't ridden the length of the trail so there maybe damage they are unaware of. We are seeking information from riders who have ridden the trail since the floods and found areas in need of repair.

Please send any information via the East Gippsland Rail Trail web form or email Bicycle Network Victoria.

Rail Trail Opening - 28 January 2006

Jan 06 A community Opening Day event to launch the East Gippsland Rail Trail extension Nowa Nowa to Orbost will be held on Saturday 28 January 2006 at Nowa Nowa.

Mr Peter McGauran MP, Member for Gippsland, will cut the ribbon to declare the new section formally open to the public.

Visitors to the Opening Day can walk or ride the Rail Trail from any point west or east of Nowa Nowa to arrive for 12.15 pm ribbon cutting, with a BBQ lunch to follow. The Opening and BBQ will take place east of the Princes Highway Ironstone Creek Road bridge

There will be a bus able to take you and your bicycle to Orbost to ride the trail and take you home – to Orbost, Bruthen or Bairnsdale, after the opening at Nowa Nowa. The transport will be free to Friends of East Gippsland Rail Trail members and $10 for non –members. Bus return to Orbost will be free.

The bus schedule is available at the East Gippsland Rail Trail website. If the weather is suitable there will also be a walk around Nowa Nowa (or swim) after the lunch and before the bus returns to Bairnsdale.

With the addition of the section from Nowa Nowa to Orbost (via Burns Road at Newmerella) the East Gippsland Rail Trail will be one hundred kilometres long, and include also the townships of Nicholson and Bruthen.

Final stage

Jun 05 The final stage of the rail trail between Nowa Nowa and Orbost was officially launched on 7 June 2005 by MHR Peter McGauran.

The federal government will provide the $660,000 need to complete the project and like all the towns along the former railway route between Bairnsdale and Warrnambool.

At the launch Mr McGauran said "I congratulate the many community volunteers who have dedicated their time to those sections fo the Rail Trail which are already developed, and also to those who refused to give in until they had seen this project through to fruition".