Down the High Country Rail Trail from Shelley to Tallangatta

With beautiful scenery, many amazing trestle bridges and interesting history, the High Country Rail Trail between Shelley and Tallangatta is an absolute winner.

While the full trail from Wodonga to Shelley is 85 kilometres long, this post focuses on the more remote section between Shelley and Tallangatta (48 kilometres).

Why start at Shelley?

Derek and I were returning to Adelaide after riding the Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail in New South Wales. On our way, we were passing Shelley Station, which is the most easterly and highest station on the High Country Rail Trail. As the weather for most of our trip had been wet, it seemed like good sense to make the most of a beautiful day.

Although the distance from Shelley via the rail trail to the Tallangatta Caravan Park is a good 47 kilometres, this section of the trail is almost entirely downhill. That’s why it seemed safe to give it a go, even though it was already afternoon. Derek would continue on with the caravan and set up in Tallangatta, where hopefully I would arrive before dark.

Shelley to Koetong (11 kms)

After unloading my bike from the caravan, I said goodbye to Derek and Kenji the dog and made my way to Shelley Station to start my ride.

Shelley Railway Station - eastern end of the High Country Rail Trail — The start of the High Country Rail Trail at Shelley Station

Shelley Station was a tranquil forest oasis. Beginning my ride, I was mesmerised by the beauty of this lovely forest and the sounds of running water and bellbirds.

Forest scenery near Shelley on the High Country Rail Trail — The rail trail winds through beautiful forest

After rolling for eight kilometres, I came across the first of the trestle bridges that the High Country Rail Trail is famous for.

Trestle bridge near Shelley on the High Country Rail Trail — First Trestle Bridge

Some faster cyclists overtook me. They were riding Tallangatta to Shelley return (around 92 kilometres), detouring on the down leg to the Koetong Hotel for lunch!

Koetong to Darbyshire Siding (7 kms)

The Koetong Station site was really just a marker. Still rolling, I came across the Boggy Creek Trestle Bridge a little further down the track.

The Boggy Creek Trestle Bridge is significant because it is one of the few on this railway line which remains as it was built in 1915. Many of the other bridges were replaced or updated later with modern materials.

From Boggy Creek, there is a 300 metre diversion to the Murray Valley Highway. Alternatively, you can choose to use a rough track on the northern side of the highway barrier.

About four kilometres on, you come to the Darbyshire Siding. In the 1870’s alluvial tin and some gold was found in the area. Fossickers would dismount at Darbyshire Siding to try their luck at the nearby creek.

Darbyshire to Bullioh (13 kms)

With three stunning trestle bridges and gorgeous scenery, the section between Darbyshire and Bullioh may be my favourite part of the High Country Rail Trail.

At the Waterfall Trestle Bridge, you can just see and hear the waterfall far below while the sounds of bellbirds echo across the mountainside.

Waterfall Trestle Bridge on the High Country Rail Trail — Waterfall Trestle Bridge returning to nature

Only a few more kilometres further and you come to the highest trestle bridge in Victoria.

High Country Rail Trail - Highest trestle bridge in Victoria — *Highest Trestle Bridge in Victoria*

Nearby is the first of three beautiful chairs created by local High Country Rail Trail volunteer Max Laubli. Using materials salvaged from the Dry Forest Creek bridge restoration, these chairs are works of art as well as a place to rest.

Max Laubli chair near the highest trestle bridge in Victoria — Chair Sculpture at Highest Trestle Bridge

In autumn, the second beautiful artwork at Tuckerbox Creek Trestle bridge is particularly stunning.

Autumn leaves adorn the Max Laubli chair sculpture at Tuckerbox Creek Trestle Bridge

As I continued my descent, I came across this cheery group of riders. Apparently, they were enjoying their climb on the High Country Trail.

Climbing on the gentle gradient of the High Country Rail Trail — Gentle rail trail gradient climb rarely more than 3%

As I rolled closer to Bullioh, the scenery opened up into farmland.

High Country Rail Trail - the trail follows Dry Forest Creek as it descends from the last major trestle bridge. — The trail follows Dry Forest Creek as it descends from the last major trestle bridge

Nearing the bottom of the long descent, I arrived at the Dry Forest Creek Bridge and the third of the Max Laubli chairs.

Max Laubli sculpture chair at the Dry Forest Creek Bridge on the High Country Rail Trail. — The third Max Laubli art chair at Dry Forest Creek Bridge

After only one more kilometre, I arrived at the Bullioh siding. While the siding is visible from the trail, it’s not currently accessible to rail trailers.

Bullioh to Old Tallangatta (8 kms)

After Bullioh, the trail is almost flat.

On the High Country Trail between Bullioh and Tallangatta, bicycle resting against a gate — Gate between Bullioh and Tallangatta

While we’re here, it’s worth mentioning the gates on the trail. I counted nine between Shelley and just after Bullioh that required opening and a few others which were already open.

Opening gates is not really a problem when you are with a group. However, when cycling on your own, the whole process becomes very tedious. Each time you come to a gate, you have to park your bike, open the gate, wheel your bike through and then close the gate. Hopefully over time, some of these can be replaced with more grids.

Old Tallangatta to Tallangatta (8 kms)

The highlight of this section is the Mitta Bridge.

Mitta Bridge on the High Country Rail Trail — The Mitta Bridge runs parallel to the Murray Valley Highway

After the Mitta Bridge, the trail surface becomes bitumen. Therefore this section would be an easy ride for all the family.

Summary of the High Country Rail Trail between Shelley and Tallangatta

Length: 47 kilometres
Difficulty: riding from Shelley to Tallangatta, the trail is easy for most of the way, with a few rough sections. If you are cycling from the Tallangatta end, you need to take into account the climb: 500 metres over 15 kilometres after Bullioh. However, the gradient rarely exceeds 3%.
Surface: good gravel with a few rough sections.
Suitable for gravel or mountain bikes. The six kilometre section between the Mitta Bridge and Tallangatta is bitumen and therefore suitable for road bikes.
Signage: Excellent with regular markers. However, I still managed to take a wrong turn in the forest near Shelley. Therefore I would recommend downloading the gpx file from the map below as backup.
Best Times: Suitable for most times of the year, taking care of course on hot or wet days.
Water and toilets. There is no drinking water or public toilets between Shelley and Tallangatta. At the Shelley end, you can continue 1.5 kilometres along Avondale Road to the public toilets at Tom Mitchell Reserve. Tallangatta has all the facilities of a small country town.
Coffee and Food: At Tallangatta: the Green Galah, the Tallangatta Bakery and Sixty Four Degrees. You can also detour to the Koetong Hotel near Koetong siding for lunch, but booking is recommended.

Map of the High Country Rail Trail – Shelley to Tallangatta

Below you will find an up-to-date map of this section of the trail.

While many people will not have the luxury of being dropped at Shelley, I also tried the trail in the other direction over the next few days. With rail trail gradients rarely exceeding three percent, it’s an achievable climb for the moderately fit rider.

I would also recommend starting near the Bullioh siding and riding east as far as you comfortably can. Afterwards, you can be confident that the way back is all downhill!

My next post is about the second half of the High Country Rail Trail from Tallangatta to Wodonga.

Top picture: Boggy Creek Trestle Bridge seen from the eastern side