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 65km.  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.  Full adult fare is currently $22.10 to Stratford and $11.20 concession.  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 65km and has several different types of surface at this time. (2008)           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 (10km) (above) has a short section of road ride (2km) west  to "Riversdale Rd" and the recommencement of the rail trail which has a surface of earth and fine gravel sections, best suited to hybrid and mountain bikes. A number of creeks and billabongs are passed on this section.                                                 Tinamba - Heyfield 11km (above) has a gravel surface suitable for hybrid and mountain bikes. The surface is generally the same as most rural gravel roads.  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  (17km) 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 65km 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 Cricket ground grandstand Cemetary Toongabbie Oasis Fresh produce avail at store Accommodation: Nil Glengarry Attractions: Historic Railway Station Narkoojeee Winery (nearby) Fresh produce avail at store Accommodation: Refer Latrobe Visitor Information Centre - Traralgon Traralgon Attractions: Historic Post Office Latrobe Visitor Information Centre Fresh produce avail at supermarkets Accommodation: Refer Latrobe Visitor Information Centre - Traralgon or www.visitlatrobevalley.com last updated Dec 08

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