Loch: Great Southern Rail Trail and Local History

Loch offers several specific reasons to stay: the Great Southern Rail Trail, the main street with historic buildings and cottages, parks and a local cellar door. The Loch Food and Wine Festival is also a regular event highlight. When looking for a hotel in Loch, you can plan your trip around whether trail activities, a stroll through the village or a tasting or festival visit is your priority.

The Great Southern Rail Trail in Loch

The 130-kilometre Great Southern Rail Trail passes through Loch and is suitable for walking, cycling and horse riding. Its connection to the town runs through a tunnel beneath the South Gippsland Highway; this tunnel connection is part of the open section of the trail. A suspension bridge also connects the trail with the Loch Recreation Reserve. The tunnel and bridge therefore represent two different connections: one to the town and the other to the reserve.

Walks and parks

The Loch Village Walk starts at Sunnyside Park on Victoria Road, the main street of Loch Village. The park has play equipment, barbecue facilities and a skate park. As park facilities may change, check the current amenities before your visit.

A suspension bridge crosses a wooded ravine in Loch Memorial Reserve. It is distinct from the suspension bridge that connects the Great Southern Rail Trail with Loch Recreation Reserve: the bridges are in different places and connect or span different areas.

Main street and local history

Loch’s main street is lined with charming historic buildings and cottages. Victoria Road is also the main street of Loch Village and the location of Sunnyside Park, where the Loch Village Walk begins. This makes it possible to combine the starting point of the walk with getting your bearings on the historic main street, without specifying the route beyond that.

Loch Railway Station’s station building also offers a connection to the past: it was formerly at Welshpool Railway Station. The building’s history and the preserved streetscape are different aspects of the town’s character; one describes the building’s former location, while the other refers to the buildings along the main street.

Tastings and events

Loch Brewery & Distillery brews ales and distils spirits in Loch. Tastings are offered at its cellar door in Loch Village from 11 am to 4 pm, Friday to Sunday. Opening hours may change; check the latest information before visiting if you plan to stop by.

The Loch Food and Wine Festival is one of the regular highlights of Loch’s special events. Dates and programmes vary. If the festival is relevant to your trip, check the dates for your planned travel period rather than assuming a particular event date.

Planning your trip and choosing a hotel

V/Line coach services are available for travel on the Yarram Line. Check the timetable and the appropriate departure point before travelling. When choosing a hotel in Loch, you can also consider whether your travel dates coincide with tasting hours or a festival date. This keeps your plans focused on the activities you actually intend to do, without assuming any particular hotel amenities or availability.

Discover more destinations: Beaconsfield, Lindenow South, Omeo, Hawkesdale, Glengarry West, Leongatha, Cape Schanck, Katunga

For the broader travel guide: Victoria.