Two trails offer specific starting points for outings from Bairnsdale, alongside Howitt Park, a place with its own distinctive landscape. The Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail can begin in Bairnsdale and ends in Lakes Entrance. The East Gippsland Rail Trail starts at Howitt Park on McEacharn Street and runs 96 km to Newmerella. The same park is home to a shady reserve on the Mitchell River, a notable canoe tree and a playground for children. This puts both the choice of a trail and a closer look at Howitt Park at the centre of your plans.
Two trails with different points of reference
For the Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail, Bairnsdale as a possible starting point and Lakes Entrance as the destination are important location details. The trail is also suitable for walkers. When making your choice, consider two practical questions: Does Lakes Entrance suit your outing plans, and are you looking for a trail that is also suitable for walkers? Check the trail access conditions before setting out. The start and destination give your plans a clear direction; suitability for walkers is an additional consideration.
The East Gippsland Rail Trail begins at Howitt Park on McEacharn Street in Bairnsdale and runs 96 km to Newmerella. Along with the destination, the distance is a specific point of reference here. Compare the trails by their respective endpoints and, for the Rail Trail, by its stated length as well. This puts the possible start in Bairnsdale and the end in Lakes Entrance in focus for the Discovery Trail, and the starting point at Howitt Park and the route to Newmerella for the Rail Trail. Check trail conditions before your trip, too.
Howitt Park on the Mitchell River
Howitt Park is a scenic, shady reserve on the Mitchell River. It is therefore not only the starting point for the Rail Trail, but also a destination in its own right during a stay in Bairnsdale. A canoe tree stands there, notable for the size of its scar. The scar is a distinctive feature of the tree and a special point of interest in the park. The river setting, shade and tree describe different aspects of this place.
The park also has a playground for children. If you are travelling with children, you can take this into account when planning a visit to the park. The play area adds another specific detail about the park alongside its landscape and canoe tree. This means you can include Howitt Park in your outing plans both as the starting point of the Rail Trail and for its own features.
Tours in the Gippsland Lakes region
For planning other outings, the Bairnsdale Visitor Information Centre offers a free booking service for tours in the Gippsland Lakes region; the service’s availability and scope may change. The tours include options on land, on water and in the air. These categories offer a different way to choose than the two trails: here, you can consider tours by type, while the trails are defined by their start, destination and distance. Before travelling, check whether the booking service and its scope are available for your plans.
You can start by organising your options around the point of reference that matters to you: a trail with a named destination, the Rail Trail with its start at Howitt Park and stated length, or a tour from the Visitor Information Centre’s booking service. The locations and features described provide specific points of reference to help you choose outings that suit your stay in Bairnsdale.
For the broader travel overview: Victoria.
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