Kid Friendly Activities

The Great Southern Rail Trail offers short loops perfect for little legs, picnic spots, and nearby playgrounds.⁠

This short flat section, makes for very easy riding. After several highway crossings, the wide gravel path cuts through a patchwork of fields, where the landscape opens up to reveal wide horizons and big skies. As you reach Yarram, you’ll pass tranquil wetlands, a pump track and the scenic landscaped gardens of the Tarra Trail Reserve.

Suggested activities:

• Have a drink or lunch at the historic Alberton Hotel.
• Discover the murals scattered throughout Yarram, by world-renowned street artist, Heesco.
• Learn more about the Yarram wetlands through their interpretive signs.
• Take a break, or have a picnic in Memorial Park.

This short and flat section along a wide gravel path makes for easy riding. A shared concrete path passes through Alberton’s town centre, with a highway crossing at the southern end of town.

You pass paddocks of cows on your left, with a think wedge of shrubbery to your right. A large anchor statue and Norfolk Pines in the middle of the roundabout marks your arrival in Port Albert. A shared concrete footpath takes you to the town centre and waterfront.

Suggested activities:

• History buffs will be fascinated by the Alberton Cemetery, located 2kms south of Alberton. Tours available https://www.facebook.com/albertoncemeterywalkingtours
• Stroll along the esplanade and enjoy fish & chips by the waterfront.
• Visit the Port Albert Maritime Museum.

This short and very flat section follows quiet country roads part of the way. After departing Welshpool, take Mates Road and head south. The residential area soon gives way to farm land and the road becomes a dedicated off-road path, passing by fields of care-free cows.

Join Turnbull Road and swing through a banksia woodland, filled with bracken and fragrant native botanicals. The land soon opens up into a spacious coastal landscape, ending at the Port Welshpool Foreshore Reserve that overlooks the shimmering ocean.

Suggested activities:

• Breathe in the maritime air, as you cycle along the esplanade towards the Port Welshpool Long Jetty.
• Take a walk along the historic Port Welshpool Long Jetty, it stretches 800 metres through Corner Inlet.
• Grab a snack or lunch in Port Welshpool.
• Pack a picnic and enjoy it along the foreshore.
• Dip your toes or have a swim in the shallow protected waters.

Set out from the grassy reserve on this short downhill ride, this section of the Rail Trail marks the starting point of the Strzelecki Ranges, you notice as you travel along the landscape becomes more dramatic with infinite layers of hills in the distance.

As you draw closer to Loch you’ll be surrounded by bushland, before arriving at Loch Railway Station.

Suggested activities:

• Stroll over the Loch suspension bridge
• Wander through Loch village
• The kids having a play at Sunnyside Park
• Stock up on local produce

It is a gentle climb to Hilda Falls, alongside the beautiful countryside.

Leaving Foster, the rail trail offers a leisurely journey with an ever-changing view towards Toora.  Dairy farms, gumtree glades, rivers and rolling hills are just some of the natural wonders to be seen along the way.

Suggested activities:

• Check out the Foster Flora Reserve before hitting the Rail Trail
• Have a play at Sagasser Park
• Take in the streetscape on the Toora Heritage Walk or just browse the shops.

Enjoy a journey of mix of bridge crossings, scenic gullies and open farmlands. Check out the interpretative signs and learn about local flora & fauna and also the Koonwarra Fossil bed.