East Gippsland Rail Trail – Orbost to Nowa Nowa

The East Gippsland Rail Trail follows the railway line that was built between 1912 and 1916 to connect Orbost and Bairnsdale with the line to Melbourne. Covering a total distance of 94 kilometres, it is one of the longer rail trails in Victoria.

For logistic reasons, Derek was dropping me in Orbost and continuing to Nowa Nowa where he would set up camp. At 11:30 am, I was starting later in the day than usual, but there would still be plenty of time to complete the 40 kilometres to Nowa Nowa.

There is a short (3.6 kilometres) trail that connects Orbost to the start of the East Gippsland Rail Trail on the other side of the river.

The railway had never crossed the Snowy River, but did make its way across the floodplain. The connecting trail from Orbost is well worth doing because it follows the remains of Victoria’s longest trestle bridge (903 metres).

Here’s what the trestle bridge looked like from a lookout above a few days later on a rainy day.

I was surprised and delighted with the single track that started the actual Rail Trail.

Enjoying the gentle gradient, I climbed to views across the Snowy River floodplain.

After four kilometres, I began to notice that I was being eaten by midges. I hurriedly searched my bike bag, hoping that the insect repellent had been left in there from last summer. Fortunately it had, so I quickly smothered myself in the gooey gel and continued on.

I found a charming lunch spot between Joiners Road and Simpsons Creek Road at around eleven kilometres.

While eating, I listened to the sound of the Eastern Whipbird and watched the Crimson Rosellas in the surrounding trees.

I pedalled on for another twelve kilometres to Partellis Crossing, where there were public toilets and another picnic table.

Drinking water had been provided in an interesting container by Snowy River Cycling.

At around the 27 kilometre mark, there was a sharp descent to the level crossing where the Hospital Creek trestle bridge had been. I was sad to read that a bushfire had destroyed it as recently as 2011. Today only the Princes Highway bridge remains.

I climbed out of the gully and continued on. There were charming views between the trees bordering the trail.

The Trail gets Tougher

A few kilometres later I found some trees down across the track. They seemed to have been there for a while. Noting that it was getting towards three o’clock, I hoped I would not have to lift my bike over too many more tree trunks.

The next point of interest, at around 30 kilometres, was O’Grady’s historic curved trestle bridge.

While it was well worth the effort, this necessitated another steep descent and ascent.

A few kilometres further on, three boulders were blocking the path.

Further investigation showed that a deep rail cutting had been cordoned off and the track went over the top of the hill. No rail trail easy gradient for me here. Feeling a bit tired and grumpy, I climbed the hill, looking down into the cutting below.

Three more kilometres revealed another burnt trestle bridge

and another low level crossing.

At last I approached Nowa Nowa. The gravel of the path became concrete. As I cycled over a purpose-built rail trail crossing, there was a view across Boggy Creek towards another former railway bridge.

I pedalled under the Princes Highway

and into camp, to find Derek safely arrived and settled in.

All together I had cycled 39.4 kilometres and climbed 313 metres. The steep gradients in the gullies of the second half of the trail had made it a challenging ride. I knew I would need a rest day before I tackled the next section of the trail between Bruthen and Nowa Nowa.

Recommendation

This section of the East Gippsland Rail Trail is beautiful and rewarding, but quite a tough ride for an intermediate rider.

A ride out from Forest Park in Orbost to the first picnic table between Joiners Road and Simpsons Creek would be approximately 22 kilometres in total (return) and would take in some of the best aspects of the trail while avoiding some of the steep ascents and descents.

During the following week, I also rode the East Gippsland Rail Trail between Bruthen and Nowa Nowa and Bruthen and Bairnsdale.