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.
Noojee Heritage Centre
The Noojee Heritage Centre celebrates the region’s rich timber and railway history and sits just a short distance from the centre of Noojee in Victoria’s Baw Baw region, about 100 kilometres east of Melbourne. The precinct features a replica of the original Noojee railway station and provides a glimpse into the town’s past, when the railway played an important role in supporting the local timber industry.
One of the highlights is a beautifully restored 1950s J class steam locomotive, a striking reminder of the era when trains regularly passed through the valley. The centre was established in 2005 by the Noojee and District Historical Society, whose volunteers continue to preserve and share the stories of the people who built and worked in the district.
Visitors can explore a range of displays spread across the precinct, including exhibits in the Lamp Room, the Platform and Goods Shed, and a restored 1960s Louvre Van carriage. The Noojee Heritage Gifts and Coffee Café offers a comfortable place to pause for a tea or coffee while browsing for books, souvenirs, or small gifts connected to the area’s history.
Grade 1 (All-abilities) -Â Perfect for Families and Beginners: Grade 1 on the
AWTGS represents the easiest walking tracks, perfect for families with young children or those new to bushwalking. No prior experience is required. These gentle walks feature a flat, even surface with no steps or steep sections. They are suitable for wheelchair users with assistance due to the even terrain. The total distance of a Grade 1 walk is typically no greater than 5 kilometers, making them a comfortable and manageable option for all ages and fitness levels.
- Access to the top of the bridge requires climbing a steep set of stairs. If you prefer to avoid the climb, the bridge can still be clearly viewed from the gravel car park at its base.
- Take time to explore the base of the bridge using the short paths that lead beneath it. The structure looks even more impressive when viewed from below.
- The open area near the base of the bridge is a pleasant place to stop for a picnic before heading back along the trail.
Total distance: 6077 m
Max elevation: 315 m
Min elevation: 236 m
Total climbing: 103 m
Total descent: -103 m
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Getting to the trailhead: Noojee Bushland Reserve.
From Melbourne, the drive to the Noojee Trestle Bridge Rail Trail takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes and covers roughly 100 kilometres. Travel east along the Monash Freeway (M1), which continues as the Princes Freeway, passing through Melbourne’s eastern suburbs toward Pakenham and Warragul. From this area, follow the C102 toward Noojee, a scenic route that passes through the rolling farmland of West Gippsland before entering forested hills as you approach the township.
The trailhead is located at the Noojee Heritage Centre within the historic railway precinct on School Road in Noojee. Here you will find a replica railway station, a preserved J class steam locomotive, and gravel parking close to the start of the Noojee Trestle Bridge Rail Trail. The location provides easy access to the walking track and is a convenient place to begin the hike.
Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.
Find accommodation close to the trailhead including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. Use the interactive map to explore available options in nearby towns.
Nearby towns: Emerald, Gladysdale, Healesville, Heathcote, Launching Place, Marysville, Millgrove, Monbulk, Mount Dandenong, Mount Evelyn, Olinda, Toolangi, Warburton, Woori Yallock, Yarra Glen, Yarra Junction
Noojee Bushland Reserve is a forest reserve in West Gippsland, Victoria, near the small town of Noojee, about 120 kilometres east of Melbourne. The area is popular for short walks, bushwalks, and relaxed hikes that combine forest scenery with the region’s timber and railway history. It is also a well known stop for visitors exploring the network of all trails throughout the Central Highlands.
The reserve is best known for the Noojee Trestle Bridge, the tallest surviving timber trestle railway bridge in Victoria. Standing about 21 metres high and stretching 102 metres long, the bridge was first built in 1919 as part of the railway line linking Noojee with Warragul. After being destroyed in the 1939 bushfires it was rebuilt later that year and has since been carefully restored, becoming one of the most recognisable landmarks in West Gippsland.
Tall mountain ash and dense tree ferns surround the reserve, reflecting the region’s strong connection with the timber industry. In the early twentieth century more than 300 timber mills operated across the district, and the township of Noojee itself was rebuilt after major fires in 1926 and 1939. The town still maintains a strong link to its timber heritage today.
Several trails pass through the reserve. The Noojee Trestle Bridge Rail Trail is a popular 3 kilometre one way walk that follows the old railway formation from the Noojee Heritage Centre to the bridge. The gentle gradient makes it suitable for walkers, cyclists, and families. The nearby Loch Valley Tramway Walk provides a shorter option and includes a pedestrian swing bridge crossing the Loch River.
Facilities are available at the Noojee Heritage Centre, where visitors will find parking, toilets, picnic tables, and displays about the district’s railway and timber history. The surrounding forest is also home to a range of wildlife, with lyrebirds, wombats, echidnas, and wallabies often seen or heard along the trails.
Looking for more walks in or near Noojee Bushland Reserve? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
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Photos: Darren Edwards and Matthew Aitken
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2 Reviews on “Noojee Trestle Bridge Rail Trail (6km)”
Made the drive out to Noojee for this trail walk, who knew it was so popular! I suggest parking off the main streets are they’re a bit quiet and isolated, other than that we enjoyed a day out and admiring the historic bridge.
Really glad to hear you enjoyed it, and thank you for sharing your photos.
Love this walk 🙂