Nicholson Between the River and the Rail Trail

If you’re looking for a hotel in Nicholson, you can plan your trip around the local attractions. The East Gippsland Rail Trail runs from Bairnsdale to here and crosses the river over a spectacular bridge. Other highlights include Nicholson River Reserve, a winery with a cellar door, and a fishing event held in July. There are several different options to choose from: walking or cycling along the trail, exploring the river and riverfront, wine tasting, or attending the Twin Rivers Bream Classic.

River Crossing on the East Gippsland Rail Trail

The East Gippsland Rail Trail runs from Bairnsdale to Nicholson on a sealed surface. In town, the trail’s spectacular bridge over the river is dedicated to walkers and cyclists; Nicholson is the trail’s river crossing. For trip planning, this connects a clearly named trail section with a specific river crossing. If walking or cycling is a focus of your trip, this connection is a useful point of reference when choosing your destination.

Reserve and Nicholson Wharf

Nicholson River Reserve has toilets, a shelter, an electric barbecue, a boat ramp, a fishing platform and a jetty. These facilities combine practical amenities with points of interest for boating and fishing. In Nicholson, a riverside path also runs under the road bridge to barbecue facilities in the Nicholson Wharf area. When planning your trip, you can consider the facilities at the reserve and the path to the wharf as two distinct ways to enjoy the river.

Riverside Scenery and Nature

On both sides of Nicholson’s former railway bridge, a project on the western riverbank is restoring a remnant of rainforest. This area has an information board, a picnic table and a memorial bench—three different features to look out for during a visit. Bosses Swamp wetland is also on the approach to Nicholson and is often a habitat for spoonbills, swans and other waterbirds. The landscape highlights therefore range from restoration near the former bridge to a wetland with waterbird habitat on the way into town.

Wine Tastings and Fishing Event

Nicholson River Winery was established in 1978 and is run by Juliet and Ken Eckersley. Wine tastings are offered at the cellar door. Opening hours are Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm; call before visiting, as they may change. The Twin Rivers Bream Classic is held annually in July and brings the small towns of Nicholson, Swan Reach and Johnsonville into focus for anglers. The event therefore involves several towns. If you’re planning your trip around it, check the exact event dates. The scheduling information varies in detail: the winery lists days and hours of operation, while the Classic gives the month it returns each year.

Discover more destinations: Bobinawarrah, Ballarat North, Garfield, Inverleigh, Dartmouth, Willaura, Venus Bay, Faraday

For the broader travel overview: Victoria.