LEONGATHA • KOONWARRA • MEENIYAN • STONY CREEK • BUFFALO • FISH CREEK • FOSTER • TOORA • WELSHPOOL • PORT WELSHPOOL
Explore the Great Southern Rail Trail – GSRT
Great Southern Rail Trail GSRT is one finest rail trails in Victoria.
The 72KM route leaves Leongatha and leads south to Port Welshpool. We believe it possibly the best introduction to rail trail riding in Australia.
The trail leads through the towns of Koonwarra, Meeniyan, Fish Creek, and Foster, down to Port Welshpool.
Victoria has many networks of rail trails, originally mapped out as railway corridors. The conversion from train tracks to rail trails is a magnificent repurposing for the public to use.
The GSRT offers something for everyone. You can ride as slowly or quickly as you please. Paired with the great outdoor access and the warm hospitality that South Gippsland offers, it easy to understand riding the GSRT is becoming so popular.
GSRT is perfect for a day journey for different ages and abilities.
Your ride can be extended for an overnight stay if required.
The GSRT Ride Experiences
The GSRT is 72KM, the trail starts at Leongatha and progresses through to Port Welshpool. The bike trail is well maintained with gravel surfaces, safe and easy to use. The GSRT is undulated, easy to navigate, signed, and passes through country towns. There are picnic tables, viewing areas, and toilets along the trail.
Great Southern Ride has suggestions for day trip rides, with time and distance. The suggestions are to assist in planning your day ride.
Ride One - Leongatha - Koonwarra - Meeniyan (Return) - 2hrs / 33kms
Ride One
Leongatha – Koonwarra – Meeniyan.
(Return Trip)
Time: 2.0 hours plus stops
Distance: 33 kms
Leongatha
Start your ride from beautiful Horticultural Park, the beginning of the GSRT.
Descent down the track past dairy farms & lowland forests.
Koonwarra
Café options for your first coffee stop. Rupert’s Giftware Store to look through a fabulously curated selection of homewares, kids’ clothes, and something special for you or your loved ones.
The track winds its way through Black Spur Creek, cross Tarwin River over historic railway bridges. It is fun riding over the bridges. Be awed by the lush fern gullies and the rolling valleys.
Meeniyan
A lovely community spirited town. Good coffee and food offerings, interesting shops, Meeniyan Gallery is supported by local artists and interesting handmade jewelry.
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.
Return trip to Leongatha.
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Ride 2 - Leongatha - Koonwarra - Meeniyan - Fish Creek (Return) - 4.5hrs / 82km
Ride Two
Leongatha – Koonwarra – Meeniyan – Fish Creek.
(Return Trip)
Time: 4.5 hours plus stops
Distance: 82 kms
Leongatha
Start your ride from beautiful Horticultural Park, the beginning of the GSRT.
Descent down the track past dairy farms & lowland forests
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.
Meeniyan
A lovely community spirited town. Good coffee and food offerings, interesting shops, Meeniyan Gallery is supported by local artists and interesting handmade jewelry.
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 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.
Return to Leongatha
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Ride 3 - Leongatha - Koonwarra - Meeniyan - Fish Creek - Hoddle Range lookout - 5.3hrs / 96km
Leongatha – Koonwarra – Meeniyan – Fish Creek – Hoddle Range lookout.
(Return)
Time: 5.3 hours plus stops
Distance: 96 kms
Leongatha
Start your ride from beautiful Horticultural Park, the beginning of the GSRT.
Descent down the track past dairy farms & lowland forests
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.
Meeniyan
A lovely community spirited town. Good coffee and food offerings, interesting shops, Meeniyan Gallery is supported by local artists and interesting handmade jewelry.
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.
Return to Leongatha
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Ride 4 - Leongatha - Koonwarra - Meeniyan - Fish Creek - Hoddle Range lookout - Gurneys - 5.5hrs / 102kms
Ride 4
Leongatha – Koonwarra – Meeniyan – Fish Creek – Hoddle Range lookout – Gurneys. (Return)
Time: 5.5 hours plus stops
Distance: 102 kms
Leongatha
Start your ride from beautiful Horticultural Park, the beginning of the GSRT.
Descent down the track past dairy farms & lowland forests
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.
Meeniyan
A lovely community spirited town. Good coffee and food offerings, interesting shops, Meeniyan Gallery is supported by local artists and interesting handmade jewelry.
Enjoy lunch at 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 enjoy conversations with their adventures.
Gurneys
Head down the trail approx. 3kms. And arrive at the gate of Gurneys Cidery.
Enjoy a local sourced cheese platter and sample the cider tasting paddles.
Return to Leongatha
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Ride 5 - Leongatha - Koonwarra - Meeniyan - Fish Creek - Hoddle Range lookout - Gurneys - Foster. (Return) 6hrs / 110kms
Ride Five
Leongatha – Koonwarra – Meeniyan – Fish Creek – Hoddle Range lookout – Gurneys – Foster. (Return)
Time: 6.0 hours plus stops
Distance: 110 kms
Leongatha
Start your journey from beautiful Horticultural Park, and on to the GSRT.
Descent down the track past dairy farms & lowland forests
Koonwarra – Cafes & giftware store.
The track winds its way through Black Spur and over historic railway bridges. And through lush fern gullies.
Meeniyan – Cafes, bakeries, giftware stores.
Enjoy a lunch in the cafes or in the surrounding parklands.
Continue the ride passing through small towns of Stony Creek & Buffalo.
Enjoy the rural views, while peddling along the GSRT
Fish Creek – Cafes, Hotel, galleries, giftware shops.
Stroll around this Artisan town enjoy the food, and visual treats.
Continue the journey up a gentle incline, passing lush farms, fern gullies & railway cuttings.
To arrive at a spectacular view of Wilsons Prom.
Hoddle Range lookout
Relax at the picnic table and enjoy the sights.
Head down the trail approx. 3kms. And arrive at the gate of Gurneys Cidery.
Gurneys Cidery – Enjoy the best tasting platters and cider tasting paddles.
Continue the GSRT down past farms under a gumtree canopy.
Foster
Quaint country town, vista of the wind farms and hills in the distance.
Return to Leongatha
Download Printable Version