Trail Map & Attractions



Where is the Gippsland Plains Rail Trail?




The Gippsland Plains Rail Trail is located in Gippsland, Victoria, Australia.

The trail runs from Stratford (near Sale) in the East to Traralgon in the West and covers a distance of approx 67km.  The trail can be reached within 1.5 hours from Melbourne (Traralgon) or 2.5 hours (Stratford).  VLine rail services connect to both Stratford and Traralgon daily. Bicycle transport is free however must be booked in advance..


Trail Map





(Click Here for interactive map showing highlights and with downloadable ride notes)

The trail is essentially flat with gentle and gradual rises in only a few spots.   An original railway grade map is shown below. 

The prevailing wind direction is normally from the South West.

The C105 "Gippsland Plains Country Drive" touring route runs along approx the same route as the trail making it easy for vehicle support.

There is full 3G mobile phone coverage on the route.


What is the trail surface like?

The trail extends 67km and has several different types of surface at this time. (12/2010)

         
Stratford - Maffra 10km (above) has a good fine gravel surface and is suitable for all types of bikes.  There are pleasant views to the mountain ranges in the North across rich dairying farmland.


                                                                          
Maffra -Tinamba (9km) (above) is an excellent new fine gravel surface with a delightful forest and wetlands section immediately after leaving Maffra. The trail crosses the C105 and "Riversdale Rd" and crosses a number of creeks and billabongs en route to Tinamba.


                            
Tinamba - Heyfield 11km (above) has an excellent new fine gravel surface for 3km exiting Tinamba to McKinnons Rd and then becomes a traditional gravel surface suitable for hybrid and mountain bikes. The surface is generally the same as most rural gravel roads. The trail passes through some fine wooded country typical of the Gippsland Plains.  Heyfield township has an excellent section of new trail through a park located at the top of the towns main street.


               
Heyfield - Cowwarr  12km (above) section of the trail is not finished however can be ridden by mountain bike. The surface is firm gravel with some large stones and one railway bridge with ballast still remaining.  This section of the trail is popular with horse riders who can often be encountered on the trail. The trail section ends at the Dawson Native Flora reserve and a road section along country back roads continues 4km to the Cowwarr township where the trail recommences.


                       
Cowwarr - Glengarry  (19km) section of the trail (above) is not finished however can be ridden by mountain bike.  The surface is gravel but has some large stones.  Work in the Toongabbie area has developed a wetland, a new trail bridge and park with visitor facilities.





Glengarry - Traralgon 11km (above) is currently a road section on the C105.




Grade Map (Victorian Railways)

The trail has only 55 feet of variation over its 67km distance!

Township Attractions & Services

Stratford



Attractions:

Apex Park - trailhead (pictured)
Mollys Lollies
Stratford Bakery
Model Train Sho
Antique Shops
Red River Designs - Gallery
Raggedy Jacks - craft
Wa-delock Cellar Door - local food & wine
Memorial Park
Avon River
Fresh produce avail at supermarket

Accommodation:

Stratford Caravan Park
Tranquil B&B
Stratford Motel

Maffra



Attractions:

Gippsland Vehicle Collection (trailhead)
Macalister Park
Macalister Wetlands
Pino Deriu Mineral Collection
Pino's Cave
Johnson St (pictured)
Fresh produce avail at supermarket

Accommodation:

Maffra Motel
Maffra Caravan Park
Maffra Golf Club RV Park
Cambrai Backpackers

Tinamba



Attractions:

Tinamba Tavern
Glenmaggie Weir (nearby)
Glenmaggie Winery (nearby)
Fresh produce available at store

Accommodation:

Happy Days B&B (Tinamba Tavern)

Heyfield



Attractions:

Heyfield Wetlands Centre
Timber mills (ride past only)
Temple St
Fresh produce avail at supermarket

Accommodation:

Heyfield Motel
Commercial Hotel
Blores Hill Caravan Park (nearby)
Glenmaggie Caravan Parks (nearby)
Wallaby Rise Camping Park (nearby)

Cowwarr



Attractions:

Cowwarr Art Space  - Clive Murray-White sculpture studio
Cricketers Arms Hotel
Cowwarr Weir (nearby)
Fresh produce available at store

Accommodation:

Cricketers Arms Hotel
Abington Farm B&B (nearby)

Toongabbie



Attractions:

Ned Stringer Memorial
Heritage Listed Mechanics Institute
Village Green
Federation Grandstand
Cemetary
Toongabbie Rail Trail General Store

Accommodation:

Nil

Glengarry



Attractions:

Historic Railway Station
Narkoojee Winery (nearby)
Fresh produce avail at store

Accommodation:

Refer Latrobe Visitor Information Centre - Traralgon

Traralgon