It’s always so exciting to head out on your first ride on a new rail trail. Today Derek dropped me in Heyfield, which is the half-way mark of the 63 kilometre Gippsland Plains Rail Trail. I was to cycle back to our caravan park at Stratford.
Heyfield to Tinamba
The first four kilometres heading east from Heyfield follow alongside the Traralgon-Maffra road. Then, after crossing the road, the track cuts across farmland for six kilometres. This section is particularly beautiful.
The Macalister Irrigation system provides water to this district, which is characterized by rich dairy pasture.
As I stopped on a bridge to take a photo, these cows seemed to think I was providing something worth having and converged towards me.
Tinamba to Maffra
After ten kilometres, I arrived at the small settlement of Tinamba. There is a General Store and the Tinamba Hotel has a reputation for excellent food.
From Tinamba, the trail begins to follow the Traralgon-Maffra Road again. However, there is always a good verge between the road and the trail, and traffic on the road is only moderate.
During my ride I crossed five of these gravity-fed irrigation channels.
Maffra to Stratford
The town of Maffra has a lot to offer with several good coffee shops. My favorite was Cafe L’Attitude, but I did not try them all! The Gippsland Vehicle Collection is located in an old sugar beet factory in the town and provides a very interesting outing.
The only downside of Maffra was that I got lost trying to find my way out to the next section of the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail . After a couple of false starts, I realised that all I had to do was go straight down the main street. I had missed the signs, which were placed quite high up some of the street lamps.
After Maffra, the trail runs parallel to Stratford Road. This huge irrigator was at least nine arches wide.
As I approached Stratford, a maintenance vehicle came along the trail to check the weed situation. It was great to see a rail trail so well cared for.
I had really enjoyed my first day on the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail and had cycled 31 kilometres and climbed only 76 metres. The flatness of the trail was a welcome respite after some of the climbs of the East Gippsland Rail Trail.
My next two rides on the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail were out and back rides between Heyfield and Toongabbie and Toongabbie and Traralgon. Another great rail trail in Gippsland is the Great Southern Rail Trail.
