FKT: Jason Richard - East Gippsland Rail Trail - 2023-12-29

Hard to know exactly where this trail starts and finishes, so I followed the rail trail brochure which has the start at Howitt Park in Bairnsdale and Forestry Park in Orbost. I had planned an unsupported effort but there is virtually NO water on this route. Nowa Nowa to Orbost has no bubblers or taps, over 40km. This is a well kept trail and easy to follow, with some very nice scenery and great old rail bridges. It’s just under 100km if you go into Bruthen for water, which I did. Be warned, only 800m climb but 70% of route is uphill west to east, and it’s a hot one, limited shade in many places. All in all though a very nice route, probably best in cooler months!