| East Gippsland Rail Trail | |
|---|---|
 Trail signage and the trail near Bruthen | |
| Length | 96 kilometres (60 mi) |
| Location | East Gippsland, Victoria, Australia |
| Use | Hiking, biking, walking |
| Highest point | 129 metres (423 ft) (Colquhoun railway station) |
| Grade | Sealed, smooth gravel, stony gravel, and dirt |
| Difficulty | Easy to medium |
| Hazards | Uncontrolled crossings of major highways, isolated locations |
| Surface | Sealed, smooth gravel, stony gravel, and dirt |
| Website | www |
| Trail map | |
 East Gippsland Trail Map | |
The East Gippsland Rail Trail is a rail trail located in East Gippsland in Victoria, Australia. The trail is a popular cycling route, beginning in Bairnsdale and extending to Orbost, following the route of the former Gippsland railway line. The Gippsland railway line was opened in 1916 to serve the agricultural and timber industry, and required numerous substantial bridges because of the nature of the terrain. Due to the decline in traffic and heavy operating costs, the line was finally closed in August 1987 and the track infrastructure removed in 1994.[1] The shared trail is also available for walkers and recreational horseriding, however motorised vehicles are prohibited.[2]
The trail is 96 kilometres (60 mi) long and passes through a variety of forest and farmland landscapes with occasional views of the Gippsland Lakes.[1] Parts of the trail are accessible to any bicycle, but significant sections are suitable only for mountain bikes or sturdy hybrid bikes.[3]
- ^ a b "East Gippsland Rail Trail - Trail Description". Railtrails Australia Website. Railtrails Australia, Inc. Retrieved 14 March 2009.
- ^ East Gippsland Shire Council (2007). "East Gippsland Rail Trail". James Yeates Printing & Design.
- ^ "East Gippsland Rail Trail". Bicycle Victoria Website. Bicycle Victoria. Archived from the original on 25 September 2009. Retrieved 29 April 2009.