Noojee Trestle Bridge Rail Trail (6km)

The Noojee Trestle Bridge Rail Trail is a 6 kilometre, grade 1 return hike in Noojee Bushland Reserve, Victoria. Beginning in the township of Noojee, the track follows the alignment of a former railway line through tall forest and quiet bushland before reaching the impressive Noojee Trestle Bridge. The walk is straightforward and suitable for most fitness levels, and typically takes around two hours to complete at a relaxed pace.

This is a simple hike, but it is one that leaves a lasting impression. The path traces the gentle grade once used by trains that serviced the local timber industry, creating a comfortable walking surface that is easy to follow. As you move away from town, the sounds of everyday life fade and are replaced by the rustle of wind through the trees and the calls of birds in the forest canopy.

The trail passes through classic Gippsland forest dominated by mountain ash and dense undergrowth. Ferns line sections of the track, and filtered light moves across the path as the forest shifts throughout the day. The gradual incline reflects the engineering of the old railway line, allowing walkers to enjoy the surroundings without the effort of steep climbs.

The highlight of the walk is the Noojee Trestle Bridge, a striking timber structure that rises about 21 metres above the valley floor and stretches 102 metres in length. Built in 1919 and rebuilt after the 1939 bushfires, the bridge is one of the few surviving historic timber trestle bridges in Victoria. Standing beneath it gives a real sense of the scale and craftsmanship involved in building railway infrastructure through remote forest during the early twentieth century.

Reaching the bridge offers a chance to pause and take in both the forest setting and the history tied to the region’s timber industry. It is a place where the quiet beauty of the landscape meets the ingenuity of the people who worked these hills more than a century ago. Even though the walk is short, it provides a rewarding combination of nature, local history, and an iconic landmark that has become a symbol of Noojee and the surrounding forests.

After spending some time around the bridge, return to the trailhead by retracing the same railway line track back to Noojee.