Walking and Cycling

East Gippsland boasts an exciting range of cycling and walking activities, with routes that pass through quiet farmland, towering forests and stunning coastal landscapes.

The East Gippsland Rail Trail, at almost 100 kilometres, is a recreational and conservation reserve constructed on the alignment of the railway that once ran from Bairnsdale to Orbost. The trail starts at Howitt Park, in East Bairnsdale, and travels east through Nicholson, Bruthen, Nowa Nowa and Newmerella to Orbost.

A track connects the East Gippsland Rail Trail with the 65-kilometre Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail, which retraces the route of an historic rail tramway between Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance.

There are dozens of other walks and trails ranging from the easy to the more challenging in coastal, forest and High Country areas.

The East Gippsland Great Walks (PDF 1.64Mb) and Inspiring Gippsland Walks (PDF 4.49Mb) brochures have more details.

To the east of the shire, the Wilderness Coast Walk is 100 kilometres long and includes a magnificent section of trail along an isolated stretch of Croajingolong National Park. For those seeking an easier amble, there are walks of less than 10 kilometres starting from Lakes Entrance, taking in Ninety Mile Beach and following the edge of the lake.

For more information on walking, visit Discover East Gippsland. 

More information for Cycling and Rail Trail.