Bruthen town and river circuit

Bruthen town and river circuit created by Victoria Walks

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Summary

This walk has plenty of historical shopfronts to admire, plus food stores and a gallery to tempt you indoors. The track takes you past rolling green hills on the edge of town, and through a tunnel!

Description

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Bruthen is one of East Gippsland's loveliest little towns, so it's great this walk trail was created in recent years to show off its assets - both natural and built.

Located on Brabralung land, European settlers began arriving in the Tambo Valley area in the mid 1800s as it proved suited to timber and agriculture. A railway came to Bruthen in 1916 linked to Melbourne and operated until 1987 when the line was closed (it now forms part of the East Gippsland rail trail). These days you can catch the route #14 bus to Bruthen as it runs between Bairnsdale and Omeo.

You can begin this walk at any point, but the easiest place to start is probably in Lions Park, opposite the General Store on the Great Alpine Road. Firstly stop by the great information hut in the park, which gives a nice introduction to the area and this walk.

You'll see the start of the walk trail opposite the General Store. You can follow the green signs as suggested, but we found them a little confusing where they crossed over with the Rail Trail (so refer back to our digital map if you need!)

This walk has plenty of gorgeous historical shopfronts and houses to admire, and there are food stores, a brewery and other businesses (plus a little gallery) to tempt you indoors. But we also loved the rolling green hills to admire on the edges of town as you take this walk.

Here is a link to some other maps of the area including a PDF map with historical marker information.

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Points of Interest

1. Walk trail start point

In Lions Park in the middle of the main street you will find a great information board about the local area, and the signed start point for this lovely walk trail (follow the green signs!)

2. Views of rolling foothills

You can see why this valley was attractive to both the Gunaikurnai people and to later European pastoralists.

3. Old rail bridge

Now for those on bikes on those in trains - the bridge across the Tambo River forms part of the East Gippsland Rail Trail. It now bears an environmental stamp.

4. So much potential!

A local Landcare group has fought a battle with weeds just around the bend, parallel to the highway embankment. Looks like a new round of grant money and more willing helpers are required!

5. Bruthen Art and Information Centre

This gorgeous, volunteer run outfit is usually open 10am-4pm. So stick your head in and say hello, and school-up on local knowledge.

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6. RAAF wreckage

This is a great little remnant of (and tribute to) a story that could have ended so much worse in 1958. Check it out.

7. Public Toilets

Find them located back in Lion's Park. They're the only public loos on this walk.

8. Historic shopfronts

There is plenty of window shopping to do in Bruthen. Hopefully the proprietors are on site to open up!

9. Mechanics Hall

10. Turn right

We followed these signs to take the track between the blue house and the fig tree (!)

11. Hop across to the Rail Trail

You'll use the Rail Trail to double back beneath the Highway to the southern side of town.

12. Corrugated tunnel

Walk through the nice big tunnel before heading back up to town / street level on the south side of the Great Alpine Road / B500.

13. Police Lockup and Fettlers Hut

Little 'Lockups' were common across Victoria , used mostly for the 'drunk and disorderly'. This was built 1880s and used until the 1960s! You'll also learn about 'Fettlers'. Peek in the window.