RIDE THE GREAT SOUTHERN RAIL TRAIL
MEENIYAN
- Meeniyan Gallery: showcases art by local artists and boasts fabulous handmade jewellery.
- Pandesal Bakery: a must-visit for fresh, delicious baked goods.
- Meeniyan Square: home to Truli’s wood-fired pizza, bar & deli.
- Mahob at Moo’s: a modern Cambodian cuisine.
- Meeniyan Hotel & Motel.
- Home of Great Southern Ride!
KOONWARRA
- Stop for coffee and lunch at Milly & Romeo’s Cafe.
- While you’re there, don’t forget to check out the incredible art of Bob Hickman.
- Make sure to schedule your calendar for the first Saturday of every month and ride to Koonwarra Farmers Market for a day of fun.
LEONGATHA
- Park your E Bikes and take a stroll through the bustling retail shops.
- Visit Harvest Laneway Nursery for all of your gardening needs.
- Enjoy a delicious dining Pub experience at McCartin’s or Bairs.
- Grab a cup of coffee and a bite to eat at the trendy Lyon & Bair Cafe or In The Arcade.
FISH CREEK
- Take your family to the Alison Lester Book Shop.
- Dine at the Fish Creek Pub, an art deco hotel.
- Savor a tasty lunch and caffeine fix at Gibson’s, Oberon Cafe or Long Johns Pickle Cafe.
- Visit the Handmakers Store for some wool, kid’s clothing, and plants.
FOSTER
- Hoddle Mountain Range picnic table, which provides a stunning view of the Wilson’s Prom
- Gurneys Cidery, with access gate on the rail trail.
- Exchange Hotel.
- Atticus Bookshop and Gallery.
- The Kitchen Table.
TOORA
- The Panton Store, a beautiful store filled with books, giftware, and curated homewares.
- Toora Woodfired Pizza and Toora Hotel for dining experience.
- Tooradeli, where you can get a great cup of coffee or a delicious bite to eat.
WELSHPOOL
- Discover charming locations, including a quaint stop with tree-lined streets, indulge in a delicious meal at The Olive Branch Café, and unwind at the Welshpool Hotel.
PORT WELSHPOOL
- Catch a mesmerizing sunset and take a leisurely stroll at the Long Jetty.
- Satisfy your cravings with the scrumptious fish and chips from Port Welshpool General Store. It’s a must-try!
Bena
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Picture a charming village situated between Jeetho and Korumburra, featuring a convenient new toilet block for a quick refresh.
Loch
- Picture a cosy village brimming with artsy cafes and galleries.
- Tuck into some scrumptious cakes at Olive at Loch Cafe and local goods at the Lock Village Foodstore.
- Sip on some of the finest brews and spirits at Loch Distillery & Brewery.
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Stunning clothes and home goods available at Kin.
Korumburra
- Discover a quaint old coal mining town, nestled at the hill’s peak, that boasts good food and retail options, including vintage and retro clothing and furniture. While you’re there, be sure to check out:
- Kelly’s Bakery
- Burra Brewing
- The Coterie Korumburra
- Rainbow Palace Chinese Restaurant.
Nyora
The GSRT Launch Point: Melbourne Side
Tucked away in a delightful small town, this location marks the beginning of the GSRT.
Although it’s modest in size, it boasts a variety of essential amenities and shops, making it a perfect place to kick off your journey.
Explore the Great Southern Rail Trail – GSRT
Discover the Beauty of the Great Southern Rail Trail in Victoria
The Great Southern Rail Trail (GSRT) is one of Victoria’s most beautiful rail trails, spanning 104 KM from Nyora to Port Welshpool in the south-east. It’s an excellent introduction to rail trail riding in Australia and passes through several towns including Nyora, Loch, Korumburra, Leongatha, Koonwarra, Meeniyan, Fish Creek, and Foster. The conversion of old railway corridors to rail trails is a magnificent way to repurpose land for public use, and the GSRT offers something for everyone. You can ride at your own pace and enjoy the great outdoors and warm hospitality that South Gippsland has to offer. It’s no wonder why cycling the GSRT is becoming increasingly popular. Whether you’re young or old, a beginner or an expert, the GSRT is perfect for a day journey or an extended overnight stay.
Ride One - Meeniyan - Fish Creek (return) - 4hrs / 37kms
Meeniyan
Start your ride from beautiful town of Meeniyan, the heart of the GSRT.
Travel up the track past cattle farms & lowland forests.
Stony Creek
The track winds its way through flat paddocks to open cuttings. Tree lined sides & beautiful rain forests. Be awed by the lush fern gullies and the rolling valleys.
Fish Creek
A lovely community spirited town. Good coffee and food offerings, interesting shops, Fish Creek Galleries is supported by local artists and interesting handmade jewelry.
Enjoy lunch one of the many gourmet cafes or The Fish Creek Hotel.
A great suggestion is to buy some fresh rolls and cakes and find a secret place along the GSRT with an amazing vista to enjoy your picnic.
Return trip to Meeniyan.
Ride 2 - Meeniyan - Leongatha (Return) - 3.5hrs / 32km
Meeniyan
A lovely community spirited town. Good coffee and food offerings, interesting shops, Meeniyan Gallery is supported by local artists and interesting handmade jewellery.
The track winds its way through Black Spur and over historic railway bridges. Be awed by the lush fern gullies.
Koonwarra
Cafes for your first coffee stop. Rupert’s Giftware Store to look through a fabulously curated selection of homewares, kids’ clothes, and something special for yourself or loved ones.
The track winds its way through Black Spur and over historic railway bridges. Be awed by the lush fern gullies.
Leongatha
The track opens up on the outskirts of Leongatha. Passing open fields with grazing cattle, hay sheds & dams.
The last stretch is a long uphill climb, before rolling in to the largest town on the GSRT.
Enjoy lunch one of the many gourmet cafes.
A great suggestion is to buy some fresh rolls and cakes and find a secret place along the GSRT with an amazing vista to enjoy your picnic.
Return to Meeniyan
Ride 3 - Meeniyan - Fish Creek - Hoddle Range lookout (Gurneys Cidery) 6hrs/ 60kms
Meeniyan
Start your ride from beautiful town centre.
A gentle climb up the track past dairy farms & lowland forests
Enjoy lunch one of the many gourmet cafes. Great suggestion is to buy some fresh rolls and cakes and find a secret place along the GSRT with an amazing vista to enjoy your picnic.
Stony Creek and Buffalo
Continue the ride passing through the historic towns of Stony Creek, taking in the wetlands & Buffalo. Buffalo is a great spot for a stop, the remnants of the old station, and Emporium Shop is worth pausing at admire the detail of the shop frontages
Fish Creek
The Fish Creek Art Deco Pub, great to photograph. The wonderful Alison Lester Shop, the illustrations of Alison’s work are beautiful. Our family favorite is the Magic Beach.
Stroll around this Artisan town with a variety of quirky, interesting shops. The Celia Rosser Art Gallery has beautiful botanical artworks.
Hoddle Range Lookout
The view at Hoddle Range is the jewel of the crown. The spectacular view of Wilsons Prom is simply breathtaking.
Relax at the picnic table and soak in the view. You will meet other cyclists and trade conversations about their adventures.
Gurneys Cidery
Just a short roll down the hill, you will find the gate to Gurneys. On the rail trail.
Return to Meeniyan.
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Ride 4 - Meeniyan - Loch 7hrs/ 94kms Return
Ride 4
Meeniyan
Start your ride, heading east along the GSRT
Koonwarra
Cafes for your first coffee stop. Rupert’s Giftware Store to look through a fabulously curated selection of homewares, kids’ clothes, and something special for yourself or loved ones.
Leongatha
A larger rural town with the usual collection of supermarkets, retail stores & food places.
Enjoy lunch at one of the many cafes. Great suggestion is to buy some fresh rolls and cakes and find a secret place along the GSRT with an amazing vista to enjoy your picnic.
Ruby & Kardella
Continue the ride passing through the historic towns of Ruby, taking in the open vegetable growing fields. Passing through Kardella on to Korumburra.
Korumburra
An old coaling mining town, with lots to offer.
Stroll around this town with a variety of quirky, interesting shops. Lots of casual dining available.
Bena & Jeetho
The gentle descent of the trail takes you through these small semi remote towns.
Picturesque rolling hills & valleys to view. Passing a small waterfall before you arrive at Loch.
Loch
Loch has a true village feel. Lots of inviting food and wine places to visit.
Including Loch Distillery & Brewery. The Gippsland Wine Company (just east of the main town).
Return to Meeniyan
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Ride 5 - Nyora - Meeniyan 6hrs/ 54kms One Way
Ride Five
Drop off option available through Great Southern Ride
Nyora
Start your journey from beautiful the railway Park, and on to the GSRT.
Follow the river beside the track past dairy farms & lowland forests
Loch – Cafes & giftware store.
The track winds its way through hidden valleys and over historic railway bridges. Climbing through Jeetho & Bena.
Korumburra – Cafes, bakeries, giftware stores.
Enjoy a lunch in the cafes or bakery.
Continue the ride passing through small towns of Kardella & Ruby.
Enjoy the rural views, while peddling along the GSRT
Leongatha– Cafes, Hotel, galleries, giftware shops.
Stroll around this rural town enjoy the food, and treats.
Continue the journey up a gentle decent, passing lush farms, fern gullies & railway cuttings.
Koonwarra– A small town with a big soul. Cafes, Rupert’s giftware store & The organic grocer.
Continue the GSRT down past farms under a gumtree canopy.
Return to Meeniyan
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Ride 5 - Port Welshpool - Meeniyan 6hrs/ 52kms One Way
Ride Six
Drop off option available through Great Southern Ride
Port Welshpool
Start your journey from jetty, and on to the GSRT.
Follow the track past houses & fields through to the town of Welshpool.
Welshpool – The Olive Cafe offers coffees & light refreshments.
The track winds its way through trough diary farms, on the flat lands.
Toora – Cafes, bakeries, art galleries.
Enjoy a lunch in the cafes or bakery.
Continue the ride passing through small town of Agnes.
Enjoy the rural views, while peddling along the GSRT
Foster– The track skims the edge of the town of Foster.
Ride in to this rural town enjoy the food, and treats.
Continue the journey up a gentle climb, passing lush farms, fern gullies & railway cuttings. Passing the back gate of Gurneys Cidery.
Stop at the Hoddle Range lookout to admire the amazing view of Wilsons Promontory, at the picnic table & shelter.
Fish Creek– A small town with a big soul. Cafes, giftware store & galleries.
Stop at the Fish Creek Hotel, a fantastic deco style building.
Continue down the GSRT through the small towns of Buffalo & Stoney Creek.
Return to Meeniyan
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The GSRT Ride Experiences
Explore the Great Southern Rail Trail (GSRT) on Your Next Adventure!
Stretching 104 kilometres, the GSRT runs from Nyora to Port Welshpool and offers a well-maintained trail for cyclists with gravel surfaces that are both safe and easy to navigate. The undulating terrain is simple to navigate and is marked with signs, passing through an array of charming country towns. Along the trail, you’ll find picnic tables, viewing areas, and toilets to make your trip more enjoyable. If you’re planning a day ride, Great Southern Ride has got you covered! Check out their suggested time and distance options to make the most of your excursion.