Great Southern Rail Trail Projects

The Great Southern Rail Trail Projects include the:

Leongatha to Korumburra link;
Korumburra to Nyora extension and beyond
Welshpool to Alberton link

Since the complete closure of the rail line between Dandenong and Port Albert in 1994 various sections have been developed into a rail trail. At present the Great Southern Rail Trail stretches 71 kilometres from Leongatha to Port Welshpool. The trail is an important contributor to the local and regional economy, attracting a large number of tourists.

Funding Secured

The following funding has been secured:

Leongatha to Korumburra – A Grant of $500,000 approved through State Government's Regional Infrastructure Fund
Korumburra to Nyora – A grant of $800,000 approved through the State Government's Local Sport Infrastructure Fund

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What’s involved?
A. Works are broken up into three contracts:

Rail and sleeper removal, completed in 2020.
Works on four bridges – currently underway. Involves repairs or replacement of bridges and installation of new concrete decks and barriers.
Trail works – currently underway. Involves drainage and fencing works; Preparation of surface and installation of geotextile; Installation of compacted gravel to provide similar surface to existing trail

Q. How can I find out more information about the lease of the railway land from VicTrack?
A. You can find out more here.

Section	Distance (approx.)	Features	Works completed	Works remaining	Current status
Trail through Leongatha	0.6 km	Links with existing trail to Port Welshpool Passes under Bair Street road bridge Leongatha Railway Station building Railway yards with planned redevelopment subject to funding: https://www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/download/meetings/id/1525/attachment_241_leongatha_railway_precinct_landscape_concept_plan Crossing of South Gippsland Highway: https://www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/download/downloads/id/3956/pr2681_-_proposed_great_southern_rail_trail_crossing_in_leongatha.pdf Connections to Leongatha business precinct Parkland adjacent to the trail, including Horticultural Park, Apex Park and Centenary Park Lennie Gwyther statue	Gravel placement Fencing Crossing upgrades Footpath upgrades	Wayfinding and feature signage	Open
Leongatha to Lows Road	3.4 km	From Leongatha to rural country side Runs parallel to South Gippsland Highway	Gravel placement Road crossings Fencing	Wayfinding and feature signage Drainage improvements and repairs at Turner Street	Open
Lows Road to Ruby Arawata Road	1.8 km	Includes two bridges over Coalition Creek and a tributary Runs parallel to Coalition Creek Passes old Ruby Station site (yard currently used to support trail construction)	Gravel placement Road crossings Fencing 2 x bridge decks and railing	Wayfinding and feature signage	Open
Ruby Arawata Road to Kardella Road	5.2 km	Includes one bridge over Coalition Creek Runs parallel to Coalition Creek Passes old Kardella Station site (yard currently used to support trail construction)	Gravel placement Road crossings 1 x bridge deck and railing Fencing Drainage works	Wayfinding and feature signage	Open
Kardella Road to O’Neills Road	2.8 km	Includes one bridge over a private driveway Passes Korumburra Cemetery Stretches through the outskirts of Korumburra	Gravel placement Road crossings 1 x new bridge Fencing	Wayfinding and feature signage	Open
O’Neills Road to Korumburra	1.2 km	Stretches from the business precinct to the outskirts of Korumburra Passes under Bridge Street road bridge	Gravel placement Road crossings Drainage works Fencing	Wayfinding and feature signage	Open
Trail through Korumburra	0.8 km	Railway turntable Pedestrian tunnel under station yards Korumburra Railway Station buildings Railway yards with planned redevelopment subject to funding: https://www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/download/meetings/id/1526/attachment_242_korumburra_railway_precinct_landscape_concept_plan Connections to Korumburra business precinct Heritage protections: A number of planning and heritage protections are in place in the Korumburra Rail Yard. Council is working with specialist consultants and Heritage Victoria to obtain relevant permits and protect the heritage values of the site when developing the rail trail through the yard.	Gravel placement Path connections Road crossing at Korumburra Warragul Road	Rail removal Wayfinding and feature signage	Open
Korumburra to Bena	5.7 km	Includes two bridges, one over a private driveway and one over Main Road Bena Passes under South Gippsland Highway road bridge Passes old station sites at Whitelaw and Bena (yard currently used to support trail construction) Runs parallel to South Gippsland Highway	Gravel placement Road crossings Completion of 1 x new bridge Completion of 1 x bridge deck and railing Fencing	Wayfinding and feature signage	Open
Bena to Loch	9.7 km	Passes under five road bridges Bass Valley Road, Main Road, Bena Kongwak Road, South Gippsland Highway and Loch Poowong Road. Passes old Jeetho Station site Runs parallel to Allsop Creek and crosses at several locations via large culverts Hilda Falls – In consultation with the Loch Nyora Landcare Group, Council is constructing a small viewing platform at Hilda Falls that will enable rail trail users to safely view the falls from the trail Gippsland Giant Earthworm habitat Connection to Loch Recreation Reserve via suspension bridge Connection to Loch township via tunnel under South Gippsland Highway Loch Railway Station and market site	Site preparation works Connections at Bena and Loch Fencing Hilda Falls viewing pad Drainage works	Wayfinding and feature signage	Open
Loch to Berrys Road	2.5 km	Includes two bridges over Allsop Creek and Bass River	Site preparation works Road crossings Gravel placement Completion of 2 x bridge decks and railing	Fencing Wayfinding and feature signage	Open
Berrys Road to Nyora	3.1 km	Speedway Nyora Recreation Reserve Nyora Railway Station buildings Connection to Nyora township Potential future connection to Bass Coast Rail Trail	Gravel placement Road crossings Fencing Drainage works	Wayfinding and feature signage	Open
Beyond Nyora	TBD	Potential future connections through Lang Lang and ultimately to suburban Melbourne at Clyde	Liaison with neighbouring municipalities	Secure funding and land tenure and construct	Not under construction
Total length	36.5 km