Port Welshpool Jetty
Our intrepid CMRT member Kate Couttie recently explored the Great Southern Rail Trail, and reports on a few attractions along the way.
Port Welshpool lies on Corner Inlet and is an ideal base for exploring the eastern end of the Great Southern Rail Trail. The treed and grassy Caravan Park is only a short walk to the 800-metre furbished wooden jetty which curves around to run along the deep-water channel between the mainland and off shore islands. Originally built to accommodate ships transporting produce from south Gippsland to Melbourne, it was reconstructed prior to World War II to facilitate the berthing of naval vessels. It was refurbished in 2019–2020 and is now open for tourism, with a small open-sided museum in the old boat winch-house on the jetty. An evening walk along the jetty is the perfect way to watch the sunset while stretching the legs after a day of cycling.
Port Albert
A 6km branch Trail from Port Welshpool takes you back to the main Trail at Welshpool.
Agnes Falls
Turning right, it is a 21 km ride to the charming fishing town of Port Albert. This is a beautiful ride through flat very green farmland, crossing small creeks with the foothills of the Strzelecki Ranges on the left and the mountains of Wilson’s Prom far away on the right. The vegetation bordering the trail provides shade and varies from pine tree, to gums, tea trees and other shrubs.
There is a great Fish and Chip café on the wharf if you are feeling peckish after the ride or need sustenance for the return trip.
If you are feeling particularly energetic there is a 10 km steep cycle from Welshpool to Agnes Falls Scenic Reserve (or 10 minutes by car), where the Agnes River cascades 59m over rocks into a deep sheltered gorge. The reserve protects a small remnant of the forests that once covered the Strzelecki Ranges, and the tall eucalypt canopy and diverse understorey of shrubs, ferns and trees are home to a range of birdlife, such as honeyeaters, Grey Fantails, Currawongs, Crimson Rosellas and Kookaburras. Furry locals include wallabies and possums.