To any Australian rail trail enthusiast, the Sandy Creek Bridge on the High Country Rail Trail between Tallangatta and Wodonga is easily recognisable. However, the Kiewa Floodplains section between Whytes Road carpark and Bonegilla, is another highlight which should not be overlooked.
We had four days at the Tallangatta Caravan Park, and already I had spent three of those four days riding (and re-riding) the High Country Rail Trail east towards Shelley. With one day left and the weather still holding, I decided to spend my last day cycling from Tallangatta to Wodonga.
Tallangatta to Huon (13 kms)
Before starting my ride, I took some time to get some coffee at Sixty Four Degrees Cafe and take some photos of this artwork which had caught my eye.
This mural depicts moving the town of Tallangatta in 1956 from its former site at Old Tallangatta to where it is now, to make way for Lake Hume. For more information, see Kirrily’s video about the work.
Although I had cycled this part of the High Country Rail Trail before in 2016, I really enjoyed the scenic gravel track.
After an easy ten kilometres, you come to the famous Sandy Creek Bridge.
Sandy Creek Bridge
Here are some interesting facts about the Sandy Creek Bridge:
- Totalling 600 metres in length, the Sandy Creek Bridge cuts out six kilometres that you would have to ride if you went by road.
- The sculptural red pylons are intended to echo the rhythm of a train crossing the bridge.
- The rail trail bridge was completed in 2012 and was funded by Regional Development Victoria and local councils.
After two more kilometres of pleasant lakeside riding, you arrive at the old Huon Station site.
Huon to Bonegilla (12 kms)
After Huon, the trail becomes bitumen
and continues its lakeside meander for another ten kilometres to Ebden station site. Then, saying goodbye to Lake Hume, you turn inland towards Bonegilla.
Bonegilla Station Site
At Bonegilla Station, you see seven metal suitcases lined up on the station platform: The Seven Cases sculpture created by Yvonne George in 2020.
This artwork pays tribute to more than 300,000 migrants who arrived at Bonegilla Station betwen 1947 and 1971 to begin their stay in Australia.
Across the Kiewa River Floodplain (5 kms)
I suppose that I had expected that after Bonegilla I would be following a bitumen path all the way to Wodonga. So I got a really pleasant surprise to encounter the gravel track, bridges and embankments of the Kiewa River Floodplains.
Between 1887 and 1889, building a mile long viaduct across the Kiewa River Floodplains was the first major challenge for the Wodonga Cudegwa line. Eventually 36 bridges would be required to complete the railway line which has now been converted into the High Country Rail Trail.
Today, the Kiewa River crossing is a delightful mixture of quirky bridges, steel boardwalks and embankments.
To Wodonga Railway Station (8 kms)
Once you leave the Kiewa River floodplains behind, it’s a flat and easy seven kilometre bitumen ride to the end of the rail trail at Havelock Street.
From there, I would recommend that you ride the extra one kilometre to the former Wodonga Railway Station, which has now been redeveloped as Junction Square, housing a number of eateries.
Recommended Short Rides
Kiewa Floodplains
This is a fun return ride with lots of interesting bridges to cross. Start at the Whytes Road Carpark shown in the map below and ride east to the Bonegilla Station site. Ten kilometres for the return trip.
Sandy Creek Bridge
Start at Huon Station carpark and ride east to cross Sandy Creek Bridge and on to Tallangatta for coffee/food before returning to the start point. 25 kilometres return or just seven kilometres total if you turn back after crossing the bridge.
Summary of Tallangatta to Wodonga on the High Country Rail Trail
- Length: 38 kilometres one way. Please see “Recommended Short Rides” above for enjoyable shorter sections.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: 60% or 23 kilometres bitumen, 40% or 15 kilometres good quality gravel.
- Suitable for any bikes except road bikes, due to the gravel sections.
- Signage: Excellent with regular markers.
- Best Times: Suitable for most times of the year, taking care of course on hot or wet days.
- Water and toilets: Tallangatta, Huon Reserve, Ludlowes Reserve between Huon and Ebden, Ebden Reserve and Junction Square (former Wodonga Railway Station).
- Coffee and Food: At Tallangatta: the Green Galah, the Tallangatta Bakery and Sixty Four Degrees. Lots of eating places around the Wodonga Railway Station redevelopment precinct.
Map of my ride from Tallangatta to Wodonga
If you have time, be sure to ride the other half of the High Country Rail Trail. Just over the border in New South Wales, the Tumbarumba Rosewood Trail is also well worth visiting.
