Bushfires Devastate Two Victorian Rail Trails

Posted on 17/01/26

The 2026 Victorian bushfires caused widespread damage to many communities and also severely damaged 2 rail trails in northeast Victoria.

Great Victorian Rail Trail

(Jan 18 update) The central section section of the 134km Great Victorian Rail Trail is closed between Yea and Bonnie Doon and Alexandra until councils can assess the damage and carry out clearance operations. The full situation is still not known but one (confirmed) – and possibly 2 – bridges have collapsed and many trees are down along the trail. The situation of signs, toilets etc. is unknown. The Tallarook to Yea and Bonnie Doon to Mansfield sections did not suffer any fire damage and are still open subject to emergency services warnings.

High Country Rail Trail

The 81km High Country Rail Trail has suffered devastating damage in the mountainous section east of Tallangatta up to Shelley.

Again the situation is unknown as it is too hazardous to inspect the damage. The rail trail is managed by Parklands Albury-Wodonga with assistance from volunteer community groups along the trail. Parklands coordinator Ant Packer, who has been involved nearly the entire life of the rail trail stated: “We are grieving the likely loss of 15 out of 16 historic trestle bridges and have nearly 50km of fences to replace, with most going through the middle of properties. Twenty-five years of collective efforts establishing the rail trail and restoring trestle bridges, all burnt in 24 hours.” Unfortunately it is likely there will be many hazardous trees to be removed.

The foundations of one of the famous twin ‘high bridges’ at Darbyshire following the 2026 bushfire (photo: Tallangatta Advisory Group).

The other twin high bridge at Darbyshire prior to its destruction by the 2026 bushfire. They were obviously popular spots to take in the scenery and get a snap shot with an iconic structure

Ant Packer also noted: “The positive news is that most neighbours did not lose their homes but have a tough road ahead to rebuild as it’s all steep, difficult-access fences to replace.

“As Blaze Aid will likely set up camp with volunteers helping farmers, we are thinking of sourcing volunteers independently [for the rail trails] as we do not want impacted farmers to miss out on this vital help and mental support from Blaze Aid.

We ask rail trailers to keep an eye on our website https://www.parklands-alburywodonga.org.au/events/ for workings bees to help with fence repairs and re-establishment of the rail trail. These weekday and weekend working bees are likely to commence after Easter once conditions are conducive to this work.”

If there is a positive side for the rail trail, only 2 essential bridges were lost (most of the tall bridges had bypasses around them)! The groups are planning to establish low level crossings at these sites to enable the rail trail to be opened whilst funding for replacement bridges is sought.

Parklands is also seeking people happy to share drone footage of any of the trestle bridges so a virtual storyboard can be created at the bridge sites so that visitors can imagine the scale of the trestle bridges that once were there before this bushfire. If you can help please contact Ant Packer at https://www.parklands-alburywodonga.org.au/

The picturesque section from Wodonga to Tallangatta with the iconic Sandy Creek Bridge is still open and unaffected by the fires, and well worth a visit. Always check for up-to-date fire conditions.

The Boggy Creek Bridge was another likely destroyed, shown here during its prime with an excursion train (ARHS Archives)

This bridge over Koetong Creek was one of those restored by volunteers for rail trail users, and now likely burnt

Rail Trails Australia hopes that government funding will be provided to rectify the damage, particularly for the essential bridges on both rail trails, given the enormous contribution these rail trails make to the regions. It’s devastating that the other 13 bridges on the High Country Rail Trail are probably lost for good.

RTA will update our trail descriptions as more becomes known.

4 comments on “Bushfires Devastate Two Victorian Rail Trails”

This makes me so sad. We just rode this trail dec 29. I'd wanted to do it for a few years and finally made it happen. My husband and I stopped at every bridge to admire it and read the history. We had a wonderful day. It's a lesson in not waiting to see these things and make it happen if you can.
Thanks to RTA for your hard work and preservation efforts.

What a dreadful loss. Those historic bridges were key features of riding along rail trails in Victoria. How can they ever be replaced? It seems that all wooden bridges, particularly those in bushland areas, are vulnerable.

It is a shame those bridges were burnt but not surprised, there should have been better protection for those bridges like fire retardant sprayed on them at the beginning of the fire season, for more and better protection, the lower halves should be incased in concrete and metal coverings to reduce the effects of the fires, the ones on the Orbost Bairnsdale trail should be done asap, either we protect them better or expect more total destruction.

When the line was in use the trees near the line would have been cut down and the rest of the line kept clear. Today we like to ride though the trees and take in the scenery – bush. No wonder when a fire goes through these areas the damage is high. The build up of dry undergrowth also doesn’t help the situation.
How to manage this is left to the various government bodies who are task with this. But always it comes down to
Funds and man power.
As painting the bridges with fire proofing, a small 4 Lt tin costs $138.00.’