East Gippsland Rail Trail – Bruthen to Bairnsdale

It was my last day on the East Gippsland Rail Trail. I had already completed the sections from Orbost to Nowa Nowa (39 kilometres) and Bruthen to Nowa Nowa (33 kilometres) and today I was tackling Bruthen to Bairnsdale.

Derek kindly took me to Bruthen. We were to meet later in Bairnsdale for lunch. Bruthen is a charming town on the Tambo River. Heading south out of town, I came to this remnant timber bridge.

East Gippsland Rail Trail Bruthen to Bairnsdale_Cover - remnant timber bridge south of Bruthen

It was fun to ride through and look up at the detail of the structure.

East Gippsland Rail Trail Bruthen to Bairnsdale - looking up from below at the reemnant timber bridge

From here, the trail began to climb gradually, passing a few pleasant resting spots such as this unusual picnic table.

East Gippsland Rail Trail Bruthen to Bairnsdale - interesting picnic table made from carriage wheels

The Tambo River floodplains spread out on my right.

East Gippsland Rail Trail Bruthen to Bairnsdale - looking back at the Tambo flats

There were some interesting remnants of the area’s agricultural history. Maize was the main crop grown in this region from 1910 to 1970. These maize cribs near Wiseleigh were built for storage of the corn.

East Gippsland Rail Trail Bruthen to Bairnsdale - disused corn cribs

Just after Mossiface, I passed these disused hop kilns, built in 1881 and used until 1910.

East Gippsland Rail Trail Bruthen to Bairnsdale - disused hop kilns at Mossiface

The trail was now running alongside Swan Reach Road. There were three underpasses.

East Gippsland Rail Trail Bruthen to Bairnsdale - tunnel under Swan Reach Road

Just before I came to Bumberrah an echidna ambled across the track ahead of me. Overcoming my surprise, I reached for my phone, but was too late to take a photo.

I was ready for my morning tea and this shelter near Bumberrah provided a welcome break from the cool westerly breeze.

East Gippsland Rail Trail Bruthen to Bairnsdale - a shelter from the westerly breeze near Bumberrah

A blueberry farm was nearby. Unfortunately I was too early for the season (mid-December to mid-February).

At Harmans Road, there was another pleasant resting place with a strategically placed bench. From there I could see all the way to Lake King.

East Gippsland Rail Trail Bruthen to Bairnsdale - view towards Lake King from Harmans Road

Six more kilometres and I came to the Nicholson River. The rail trail bridge was built on top of the former railway bridge.

East Gippsland Rail Trail Bruthen to Bairnsdale - the rail trail bridge at Nicholson

The views of the Nicholson river from the bridge were stunning – downstream

East Gippsland Rail Trail Bruthen to Bairnsdale - view of the Nicholson River towards the ocean

and upstream.

East Gippsland Rail Trail Bruthen to Bairnsdale - the view of the Nicholson River upstream

If you looked at the bridge from the side, you could see that it was made of both timber and riveted steel sections.

East Gippsland Rail Trail Bruthen to Bairnsdale - the bridge viewed from the other side

Only nine kilometres to go!

East Gippsland Rail Trail Bruthen to Bairnsdale - only nine kilometres to go

I texted Derek to let him know my location and before long we were lunching at the Stables Cafe in Bairnsdale.

I had cycled 33 kilometres and climbed 209 metres.

East Gippsland Rail Trail Bruthen to Bairnsdale Map and elevation chart
East Gippsland Rail Trail – Bruthen to Bainsdale – Map and Elevation Chart
Recommendation

If you need to do an out and back ride on the East Gippsland Rail Trail, I would recommend starting in Nicholson and cycling to Bruthen and back – 20 kilometres each way, 40 kilometres in total. Bruthen has a few cafes as well as the Bullant Brewery, giving lots of options for lunch or a morning tea snack.

Other wonderful sections on the East Gippsland Rail Trail are between Bruthen and Nowa Nowa and Orbost and Nowa Nowa, while another excellent rail trail in Gippsland is the Great Southern Rail Trail.