The Gippsland railway line was opened in 1916 to serve the agricultural and timber industry, and required numerous substantial bridges because of the nature of the terrain.

Due to the decline in traffic and heavy operating costs, the line was finally closed in August 1987 and the track infrastructure removed in 1994.

[2] The trail is 96 kilometres (60 mi) long and passes through a variety of forest and farmland landscapes with occasional views of the Gippsland Lakes.

The trail follows the long gradual inclines and sweeping curves of the former railway line, reaching a maximum altitude of 129m at Colquhoun.

The trail begins on the south side of the Princes Highway opposite the Howitt Park sports grounds at McEacharn Street.

The trail initially passes between industrial and retail properties leading out of Bairnsdale, then travels mainly through open farmland, predominantly for cattle and horse grazing, to the town of Nicholson.

Access to the town itself can be gained either by turning south at the Nicholson-Sarsfield Road, or by following a minor track along the west side of the Nicholson River.

Beyond the bridge the track heads inland away from the Princes Highway, and remains asphalt until Stephensons Road, and the surface then becomes a smooth compacted gravel.

The trail passes through undulating farmland, veering from its easterly route to northerly direction on a gradually rougher track surface, and after 9 km reaches the old Bumberrah railway station where there is a rest stop with a shelter and information board in a remnant grassy woodland reserve.

Shortly past the station site a minor detour from the trail can be taken in order to enter Bruthen itself, the largest town en route, where major facilities such as food, drink, toilets and accommodation are available.

Due to its poor condition the bridge itself is fenced off, and trail users must travel down and up the steep slopes of the Stony Creek valley to reach the far side.

[8] The original rail line crossed this spot on a spectacular curved timber trestle bridge, the largest of the three on this part of the route.

The track climbs again and soon diverges from the highway, then travels through light forest and occasional farmland on a quite wide but rough surface, before reaching Partellis Crossing Road at about the midpoint of this section of the trail.

There is however a low level causeway over the river flats consisting of a series of timber and steel bridges called the Orbost Viaduct, which shows the original route of the railway, however there are no plans to reopen this as part of the rail trail.