Mitchell River Track
This stunning and varied trail, being a return trip of some 7 km in length, enjoys water views of the Mitchell River, all the way . . .
Commencing in the park lands of Howitt Park, just off the Princes Highway, the well maintained trail traverses bush, farm and park lands. Crossing the Princes Highway bridge to the southern river bank of the Mitchell River, the picturesque trail traverses the boardwalk to the Port of Bairnsdale, then on to the Lind Bridge, crossing the Mitchell River at Riverine Street, and returns along the northern river bank, crossing the Mitchell River Backwater via a Swing Bridge – returning to Howitt Park.
At the Lind Bridge, another trail continues along the southern river bank of the Mitchell River to Picnic Point Reserve.
Picnic tables, interesting information signage, seats for observation and contemplation are placed at various intervals along the way.
This trail is an easy gradient, varying between bitumen, concrete and gravel surfaces.
Bairnsdale to Paynesville via Eagle Point
Another suggestion to extend your bike riding experience could be to travel to the Old Paynesville Road and continue along the southern river bank of the Mitchell River to Eagle Point (approximately 8 km) and then, should you wish to travel even further, to Paynesville – an additional 8.5 km . . . The sceneries along the way are beautiful – a quick detour to the Eagle Point Bluff Lookout bestows magnificent views across rivers, lakes, river flats, silt jetties and mountains in the distance.
East Gippsland Rail Trail
The East Gippsland Rail Trail also commences at Howitt Park, Bairnsdale. The trail utilises sections of the disused railway line running between Bairnsdale and Orbost via (distances are approximate):
Bairnsdale to Nicholson Leg (9 km)
– Detour to Nicholson: Refreshments, Amenities & Facilities can be found a short 550 m detour from the Trail
Nicholson to Bruthen Leg (22 km)
Bruthen to Stony Creek Trestle Bridge Leg (22 km)
Stony Creek Trestle Bridge to Nowa Nowa Leg (4 km)
Suggested Route through Nowa Nowa (780 m)
Nowa Nowa to Orbost Leg (36 km)
Suggested Route from Trail End to Orbost Tourist Information Car Park (4 km)
– at total distance of some 98 km.
About Victoria’s Rail Trails . . .
Rail Trails have become the new function for the abandoned railway corridors of yesteryear . . .
The heavy locomotives, together with the loads of coal & timber required to fire the steam engines, the carriages and cargoes meant that the early trains had to carve their way through the countryside, via the flatest, staightest, and easiest possible route (which remains the case for the railways of today). In an ideal world, a railway line should be as straight and as level as possible – as it requires, for example, five times more energy to pull a train up a gradient of 1 in 100 than for a level course. On top of that, the energy consumption also increases some 25 % for each degree of curve encountered – and then there is the significant issue of maintaining control of a long, heavy train as it traverses a downhill gradient . . .
Hence, the railway corridors were constructed as level, and as straight, as was possible – cutting through hills, under roads, over embankments and across gullies, rivers and creeks. This makes the disused railway corridors of yesteryear ideal for walking, cycling and horse riding. With the rails removed, the Rail Trails are generally resurfaced with gravel providing the user the perfect conditions to enjoy the surrounding environment.
Helpful Hints:
– To obtain a List of Points of Interest along the ‘East Gippsland Rail Trail’ – click here
– The Mitchell River Track in Bairnsdale features:
– Walking & Cycling
– Difficulty = Easy
– Gradient = Minimal
– Unsealed Gravel, Sealed
– Car Parking is available in Howitt Park as well as various other locations along the Trail
Discover Bairnsdale:
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– Facilities available at Bairnsdale include:
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