J550 steam train at the Noojee Heritage Centre

Ada River Road Hike

Noojee is a town of 157 people (2016) in Gippsland. it is the last stop with tourism services before the to the Mount Baw Baw Alpine Resort, which is 48 km away. There are several walks in the area, including the Noojee Trestle Bridge, a 100-m wooden rail bridge.

Understand

"Noojee" is an Aboriginal word meaning "valley of or place of rest".

Noojee is well known for its trout fishing. A trout farm is located on the outskirts of the town.

Get in

The best and most convenient way to get around Noojee is using a car. Alternatively, a combination of train and bus services can be used -- taking the V/Line train from Melbourne to Warragul, and then taking the regional bus service from Warragul to Noojee. The regional bus service timetable can be found here.

See

• 1 Ada Tree (Ada Tall Trees Reserve), 25 km northwest of Noojee, ☏ +61 3 5966 9600. Walk to the Ada Tree, a huge and ancient Mountain Ash, which is estimated to be over 300 years old. The tree stands 76 metres high and 15 metres in circumference and is one of Victoria’s tallest trees. 1.8 km from the Ada River Road car park. Picnic and toilet facilities available. 
• 2 Noojee Heritage Centre. The Noojee railway station. A steam train and small museum with historical photos and maps. This is also the beginning of the Noojee Trestle Bridge Rail Trail. Free. 
• 3 Noojee Picnic Grounds. Barbecues, toilets, and a playground all on the banks of the La Trobe River. Free. 
• 4 Noojee Trestle Bridge. A historical railway bridge. Free. 
• 5 Noojee Water Wheel. A historical water wheel a short walk from town. Free. 
• 6 Toorongo Falls (head east along the Mt Baw Baw Tourist Road from Noojee then turn left on to Toorongo Valley Road; the falls are at the end of the road). Toorongo Falls are a short drive from Noojee. Toorongo Falls are a 1.2-km return hike or a 2.2-km circuit. The circuit also include the Ampitheatre Falls. There is a free camping area located a short drive before reaching the falls with very basic toilets. Free. 

Wineries

• Ada River Wines. (updated Oct 2018)

Do

• 1 Ada River Road Hike. Hike along the Ada River Road between the junction of Dowey Spur Road and Ada River Road to The Ada Tall Trees Reserve (junction of Federal Road and Ada River Road). The trip is 4.7 km each way and takes approximately 1.5 hours each way (2.5 hours each way for a six-year-old child). This section of the Ada River Road is impassable to all vehicles including trail or mountain bikes and is only suitable to hikers. Free. (updated Oct 2018)

Eat

• 1 Little Red Duck Cafe, 1 Bennett St, Noojee, ☏ +61 3 5628 9613. W-Su 8AM-4PM. Coffee, milkshakes, bacon and eggs, fish and chips. 

Sleep

• 1 La Trobe River Camping Area, Ada River Road, Gentle Annie. A nice camping site with picnic tables and a toilet. A short walk to the La Trobe River. Free. (updated Oct 2018)
• 2 Toorongo Falls Camping Area, Toorongo Valley Rd, Noojee. Campsite beside river. Basic composting toilets. Free. 
• 3 Toorongo River Chalets (Toorongo River Sanctuary), 105 Toorongo Valley Rd, Noojee, ☏ +61 427 546 059.