Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail FS0051 DSE - Bairnsdale ISSN 1440-2262

November 2003 Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail FS0051 DSE - Bairnsdale ISSN 1440-2262

Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail Mossiface to Bruthen (4.5kms) The Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail (GLDT) is a bicycle Bruthen is the last town before Lakes Entrance and a good track through the Colquhoun State forest, linking the East spot to stop for lunch. Bruthen is accessed by a short detour Gippsland Rail Trail to Lakes Entrance. The GLDT from the trail. provides visitors with the opportunity to ride from Bruthen to Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail (11kms) Bairnsdale to Lakes Entrance (65km, full day one-way). The Rail Trail crosses the historic railway bridge over the The route passes through quiet farmland and enchanting Tambo River then climbs gradually into the open eucalyptus forest, retracing the route of an historic light rail tramway to forest. The Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail begins 11kms arrive at Lakes Entrance and the beautiful 90-mile beach. from Bruthen at Seaton Track. The ride can also be undertaken in shorter sections (Bruthen Rail Trail to Mississippi Creek Quarry (4kms) to Lakes Entrance 36km, 4hrs one-way or Forestech to The Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail meanders for 2kms Lakes Entrance 13km, 1.5hrs minutes one-way) or over a through open forest with a few manuka gullies before leisurely two days with an overnight stay in Bruthen. descending a small escarpment. Just south of the escarpment the trail crosses the first of 10 bridges over the Mississippi Getting there Creek and its’ tributaries. The track leads another 2kms The Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail runs through the through undulating terrain before descending on the Colquhoun forest, which is situated approximately 10 Mississippi Creek where it passes by the Mississipi Creek kilometres north-west of Lakes Entrance. Points to access Quarry carpark and a short (100metre) detour to the historic the trail are via the East Gippsland Rail Trail from Quarry. Bairnsdale, Bruthen or Nowa Nowa. Other points of access From this point, the Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail follows are via Log Crossing picnic area and Forestech TAFE. the route of an old light rail tramway constructed in the early Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance are located on the Princes 1900s to move granite from a quarry deep within the forest to Highway approximately 270 and 310 kilometres east of Lakes Entrance. The granite was used to build the permanent Melbourne respectively. ocean entrance to the Gippsland Lakes as well being used in the construction of buildings in Melbourne. It is well worth a Cycling look to appreciate the historical importance of the area. Bairnsdale to Lakes Entrance 1 Mississipi Creek Quarry to Log Crossing picnic area (7.5kms) Skill level : Moderate From the Quarry the track follows the Mississippi Creek for Fitness Level: Average several kilometres, winding through lush bush. Several Distance: 65km one-way bridges cross the creek, which ranges from a series of ponds Duration: 8 hours one-way (including breaks) to a flowing course. Native flora and fauna abound this Bairnsdale to Nicholson (9kms) section of rich forest. Also visible along the trail are remnants Follow the East Gippsland Rail Trail east from the township of the historical tramway. of Bairnsdale along the route of the old railway line. This section is very easy pedaling on sealed trail and travels If you look carefully you will see sections of narrow cuttings through farmland paddocks. just wide enough for a tram, old bridges, light rail and sleepers on or beside the track and blocks of granite which Nicholson to Bumberrah (9kms) didn’t make the distance. These relics are protected by law - Over the Nicholson River the trail becomes smooth gravel please do not disturb them and leave them for other people to and continues through undulating farmland for 9kms until enjoy. reaching a grassy woodland area, which was the old Bumberrah Railway Station. Log Crossing picnic area is 50metres to your left after crossing Uncles Road. Log Crossing is a good rest spot Bumberrah to Mossiface (8kms) complete with toilets and picnic facilities. The trail leads 8kms through tunnels, cuttings and over fills before reaching Mossiface, another old station site. Log Crossing to Scrivener Road (1.7kms) Past Log Crossing, the track continues for another 1.7km to 1 Scrivner Road, where the track leaves Mississipi Creek. To assist visitors in choosing riding tracks, the tracks are classified by skill level and fitness level. For a description of these classifications, refer to the Forests Note ‘FS0005 - Mountain Bike Riding in State Forest’

Scrivener Road. to Lakes Colquhoun Road (4kms) Flora and fauna The Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail heads uphill for Some of the plants and animals found in the area: 400metres then runs parallel to Scrivener Road for 3.5 kms until it reaches Lakes Colquhoun Road. Trees: Silver Wattle Acacia dealbata, Black Wattle Acacia mearnsii, Blackwood Acacia melanoxylon, Red Wattle Lakes Colquhoun Road to Lakes Entrance (8kms) Acacia silvestris, Blue Box Eucalyptus baueriana, River This relaxing downhill section follows the Lakes Colquhoun Peppermint Eucalyptus elata, Messmate Stringybark Rodd for an easy 8km into Lakes Entrance. Affording Eucalyptus obliqua, Manna Gum Eucalyptus viminalis. wonderful ocean views, this section is a steep downhill run Birds/Animals: Superb Lyrebird Menura novaehollandiae, into Lakes Entrance township (please be ready on the Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae, Swamp Wallaby Wallabia breaks). bicolor, Wombat Vombatus ursinus, Echidna Tachyglossus Log Crossing circuit aculeatus, Brushtail Possum Trichosurus vulpecula, Tree Goanna Varanus varius. Skill level: Moderate Fitness level: Average Looking after our forests Distance: 20km return • Don’t disturb native plants and animals Duration: 2 hours return • There is no rubbish collection service, so please take This one way cycling tour is a pleasant partially signed your rubbish home. If you have the misfortune to come circuit, which you can follow using this map. Starting from across other people’s rubbish, do the bush a favour and Log Crossing picnic area, head up Uncles Road to the north take it out with you too east for 8.5 kms until reaching the sealed Lakes Colquhoun • Dogs must be under direct control and on a leash at all Road. Turn left (head north) along Lakes Colquhoun Road times for 700 metres until reaching the East Gippsland Rail Trail. • Take care with fire - observe all fire regulations and Turn left (head west) along the Rail Trail towards Bruthen Total Fire Ban days. Use existing fireplaces and ensure for 2 kms where the Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail can fires are safe and that they are completely extinguished be followed back to Log Crossing picnic area. when you leave • Walks Make sure you tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return, and don't forget to let them 1. Tramway walk know when you are back 2 Skill Level :: Basic Fitness Level: Low • Motor vehicles including motorcycles must not be driven 2kms; 1 hour return off formed roads. They are not permitted on the GLDT. Walk upstream (north) from Log Crossing picnic area for All vehicles must be registered and drivers licensed approximately 1 km until reaching a newly constructed bridge. You will see remains of an original 'bedlog' bridge Horse riding constructed in the early 1900’s for the tramway. Return to Riders are welcome to use most areas of the State Forest. The Log Crossing via the same route. majority of riding opportunities are along existing State 2. Forestech - Log Crossing walk Forest roads. Horses are not permitted on the Gippsland Skill Level: Basic Fitness Level: Average Lakes Discovery Trail. 5kms; 2 hours return From the Log Crossing picnic area cross the pedestrian Forestech bridge and head in a south westerly direction, crossing the Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail. The track climbs gently Forestech is a TAFE college based around the forest industry crossing a few small gullies until reaching open forest and & resources, with displays of innovative work done by Forestech TAFE, which is on the Princes Highway. Return students and craftsperson local to the region. to Log Crossing via the same route. Car parking is available and canteen and toilet facilities are 3. Discovery trail walk open during school hours. Skill Level: Basic Fitness Level: Average 15kms; 5 hours return For more information Walk upstream from Log Crossing picnic area for 7km until The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) is reaching Quarry Road. Just north of Quarry Road before the responsible for managing Victoria's State Forest. For further track heads up away from the creek is a 100 metre detour to information contact DSE’s Bairnsdale office ( 5152 0400) the historic granite quarry. Return to Log Crossing via the or DSE's Customer Service Centre on 136 186. same route. Visit DSE’s website Picnic sites The Colquhoun State Forest is managed for a wide range of Picnic facilities are available at Log Crossing picnic area, uses including catchment protection, timber production, which is on Mississippi Creek, 2km off the Princes recreation and conservation. If you are interested in how Highway down Log Crossing Road. State Forests are managed, the current Tambo Forest Management Plan can be viewed on the Department's website 2 on the Internet at http://www.dse.vic.gov.au To assist visitors in choosing walks, the walks are classified by skill level and fitness level. For a description of these classifications, refer to then select “Forests”, then select “Publications”. the Forests Note ‘Bushwalking in State forest – FS0020’

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