To access the rail trail and other rides starting on the Melbourne ( west ) side of the Snowy River, the trail head for the new link trail is on Marlo Rd just past the Orbost Camp Park and Forest Park. It is opposite the Snowy River and can be accessed either from the bike trail beside The Snowy or from Marlo Rd. From the roundabout in Nicholson St proceed through town. Nicholson St becomes Marlo Rd.
The Nowa Nowa to Orbost Section of the East Gippsland Rail Trail opened to the public on 28 January 2006. This creates the opportunity for a number of bike rides of varying lengths starting and finishing at Orbost. The trail is 34 kilometres from Orbost to Nowa Nowa and starts at a trail head on Burn Rd 3 kilometres from the centre of Orbost. There is a car park at the start or you can ride from town. The trail head is best accessed from Orbost using the pedestrian crossing on the Snowy River Bridge. To reach the bridge crossing go through (the Footy ) Lochiel Park and through the BMX area at the back.
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Leave the link trail at the intersectionto Buchan Orbost Rd which is signposted, These rides turn right at this intersection and return by the rail trail. |
Turn right from Burn Rd towards Buchan Caves. At Bete Bolong Road you leave the Buchan Road and ride up hill until you reach the intersection of Simpson Creek Road and Reeves Rd. Follow Simpson Creek Road.About 20 kilometres from Orbost on Simpson Creek Road you will see where the rail trail crosses the road. There is a pedestrian warning sign . The entry bollards to the trail are clear.
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This is where Bete Bolong Rd moves off the Buchan Rd. The Simpsons Creek ride continues straight ahead. The other rides turn right and follow Buchan Rd alongside the Snowy River. |
At the intersection with Bete Bolong Rd do not continue straight ahead but turn right on the Buchan Rd. Follow along side the Snowy River, ascend the hill and you will see 300 metres after the top of the hill a dirt road off to the left . This is Reeves Rd and is shown on the rough map as green. Follow this to the intersection with Simpsons Creek Rd and then follow Simpsons Creek Rd to the rail trail .
As per ride 2 but instead of turning into Reeves Rd continue on Buchan Rd for about 3 more kilometres. Ostlers Gap Rd is on your left and clearly signposted. The dirt road meanders through Waygara State forest. There are two places where other roads merge from the right. Stay left and continue on Ostlers Gap Rd until you reach the rail trail. Again the entry bollards make it clear when you reach the trail.
All three rides then follow the rail trail back to the car park at Burn Rd Orbost. Retrace your route back to the town centre.
The trail to Nowa Nowa is 34 km from the car park. This can be ridden easily in two hours. A return ride with a lunch break at Nowa Nowa is a good days exercise. For details of the trail past Nowa Nowa see East Gippsland Rail Trail website
