Gippsland › Latest news › Wellington Local News
Community invited to celebrate official opening of the Great Southern Rail Trail
Celebrate the 21km extension of the Great Southern Rail Trail on August 16, 2024, at 2pm in Alberton. Enjoy a community bike ride from Yarram, with a chance to win a Jamis bike.
Community members are invited to celebrate the official opening of the 21km extension of the Great Southern Rail Trail, connecting Welshpool to Alberton. The long-awaited extension completes the trail's impressive 129km stretch between Yarram and Nyora. The official opening will take place on Friday 16 August 2024 at 2pm at the first bridge crossing on Gellion Street in Alberton.
Celebrate the 21km Great Southern Rail Trail extension on 16 August 2024, at 2pm in Alberton. Ribbon cutting by local officials and MP Tom McIntosh
Community bike ride
The official ribbon cutting ceremony will be attended by mayors and councillors from both Wellington and South Gippsland Shire Councils. Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh MP, key industry stakeholders and the community will also be in attendance.
Before the event's opening, the community is invited to join a bike ride from Yarram to Alberton and enter the draw to win a Jamis bike. The ride will start at the Goods Shed at Yarram Tarra Trail Reserve from 1pm and conclude at Gellion Street in Alberton, where the official opening will take place. The bike ride is expected to take between 30 and 40 minutes and is open to all members of the public.
Trail enhances tourism
In anticipation of the event, Wellington Shire Council Mayor Cr Ian Bye highlighted that the Great Southern Rail Trail offers the perfect opportunity to get outdoors in The Middle of Everywhere and enjoy the beautiful scenery of South Gippsland.
"With the trail now open, it will enhance visitor numbers to our region, attracting people of all ages and abilities from across the country. Both councils have done a magnificent job bringing this project to life, and I can't wait to use the trail myself" Cr Bye said.
Final interpretive and wayfinding signage will be installed by the end of 2024, along with a dedicated website for the Great Southern Rail Trail. The extension for completion involved eighteen months of dedicated construction work across both shires and was made possible through $6 million in Regional Infrastructure Grant funding from the Victorian Government, via the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions. For more information, visit The Middle of Everywhere website or Visit South Gippsland website.
Pictures from Rail Trails Australia website.
Source: www.gippsland.com
Published by: news@gippsland.com
Gippsland Water offers face-to-face bill help at pop-up sessions across Latrobe, Baw Baw and Wellington
Martin Cameron slams Allan government's ongoing neglect of Hazelwood North CFA volunteers and urgent station upgrades
Southern Rural Water announces safer bridge boosting Clydebank access and safety with modern standards by November
'Amp It Up' youth conference empowers East Gippsland students with inspiration and resilience on 23 July 2025
Baw Baw Shire Council seeks community feedback on five key strategic plans to guide council's next four years by 3 August 2025
Darren Chester warns Labor's new car tax will hit Gippsland families, hikes cost of utes, SUVs, four-wheel-drives, vehicles
Darren Chester, RSL unite to support Gippsland Veterans, challenge negative myths, highlight service strengths and opportunities
Forge Theatre ignites East Gippsland with comedy, music, storytelling and bold performances this winter season
Gippsland Water summer internship is now open, offering students practical experience from November 2025 to February 2026
