page_title: East Gippsland Rail Trail
section_title: Nicholson to Bruthen (22km)
hierarchical_section_title: East Gippsland Rail Trail / Route description / Nicholson to Bruthen (22km)
caption_attribution_description: Looking north (towards Bruthen) on the East Gippsland Rail Trail at the site of the former Bumberrah Railway Station, Victoria, Australia.
context_page_description: 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 Orbost railway line. The Bairnsdale-Orbost railway 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. The shared trail is also available for walkers and recreational horseriding, however motorised vehicles are prohibited.
  The trail is 96 kilometres long and passes through a variety of forest and farmland landscapes with occasional views of the Gippsland Lakes. Parts of the trail are accessible to any bicycle, but significant sections are suitable only for mountain bikes or sturdy hybrid bikes.
context_section_description: The rail trail crosses the Nicholson River on the former railway bridge. The bridge surface has been sealed with concrete and affords excellent views. Beyond the bridge the track surface becomes smooth gravel and heads inland away from the Princes Highway. The trail passes through undulating farmland, veering from its easterly route to northerly direction on a gradually rougher track surface, and after 9 km reaches the old Bumberrah railway station where there is a rest stop with a shelter and information board in a remnant grassy woodland reserve.
  From Bumberrah the trail travels 8.5 km on to Mossiface, passing through various cuttings, fills and tunnels from the old rail route. The surface is rough gravel and of poor standard through much of this section, including occasional wombat holes, but there is significant flora and fauna, as well as some good views of adjacent farmland and hills. Mossiface, a tiny locality of only a few houses and facilities, was the site of the former Mossiface railway station and offers views of the Tambo River flats and historic hop kilns of the region.
  Following Mossiface the trail continues north for about 2.5 km on a smooth gravel surface and crosses the Great Alpine Road at the site of a former railway trestle bridge which used to take the railway over the highway. Just past the trestle bridge, 2 km out of Bruthen, the track diverges, with one route (the Bruthen-Wiseleigh path) travelling alongside the Great Alpine Road directly into Bruthen, while the rail trail proper continues to follow the route of the old railway about 100m north of the road.
  About half a kilometre before the town the remains of the former Bruthen railway station can clearly be seen on the rail trail. Shortly past the station site a minor detour from the trail can be taken in order to enter Bruthen itself, the largest town en route, where major facilities such as food, drink, toilets and accommodation are available.
caption: Looking north from the former Bumberrah Station between Nicholson and Bruthen
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