Noojee is one of my favorite places to visit around the year. Nestled in the scenic Gippsland region of Victoria, Noojee is a charming town located in an idyllic valley along the Latrobe River.
The drive to Noojee is one of Victoria’s most scenic short routes, and the beauty lies not just in the destination but the journey itself. Noojee is also a popular pit stop for those going towards the Mount Baw Baw ski fields.
Noojee is approximately 125 km east of Melbourne. The most scenic route is via Warburton Highway (C425) through Yarra Junction and Powelltown. Allow about 2 hours of driving time each way. Stop here for a quick coffee. Our personal recommendation is Gladysdale Bakehouse. From Yarra Junction, the road curves through Powelltown, a historic timber settlement, and then meanders deeper into fern-filled gullies that feel like they’ve never been touched by time.
Just before reaching Noojee, you can also take a slight detour to Loch Valley. The short Loch Valley Tramway Walk follows an old timber tramline through the forest. It is a gentle 40-minute loop where the scent of eucalyptus and the sound of trickling creeks are constant companions.
Start/ finish: McCarthy Spur Rd, Noojee
A bit of history of Noojee
Steeped in history and cultural significance, the name ‘Noojee’ traces back to its Aboriginal origins. In the language of the First Peoples, it evokes the essence of a ‘valley of rest’ or a tranquil ‘place of repose.’ Indeed, Noojee once belonged to the Wurundjeri tribe, who cherished its lands long before the arrival of European settlers.
Although glimmers of gold were discovered in the surrounding district during the 1860s, it was the subsequent decade, the vibrant 1880s, that saw the influx of other settlers. Predominantly composed of timber cutters, these intrepid individuals found their way to this captivating district, infusing it with a new vitality.
What to see & do in & around Noojee
Noojee Trestle Bridge & Rail Trail
This historic wooden trestle bridge is perhaps the first thing people get to see and is Victoria’s highest surviving timber trestle bridge. Stretching just over 100 meters in length and reaching a height of 20 meters; it was built in 1919, and once carried trains that hauled logs from the dense forests to Melbourne. Today, it stands as a quiet relic, draped in moss and surrounded by ferns, echoing the town’s timber heritage.
The best way to experience it isn’t by just stopping for photos but by walking the Noojee Rail Trail. Its a short, 3-kilometre return walk that begins at the old railway station. The path winds through a cathedral of towering trees and opens up dramatically at the bridge, where the structure suddenly rises like something from an old forest fairytale.
Noojee Heritage Center
The Noojee Heritage Center is a recent addition, located just a few metres away from Noojee Pub. Here, you get to see a replica of the original Noojee railway station with a J550 steam class locomotive, a railway goods shed and a 1960 Louvre Van Carriage. The steam train is quite impressive and our son loves throwing up some wood and branches to keep the fire active on the train! There’s even a small coffee shop!
There are a couple of Tramway Walks from here, including the Water Wheel Walk and Ralph Cornwall Loch Valley Tramway Walk (5km (return). For us, it is seeing and walking along the Trestle Bridge Rail Trail (an easy 6 km (return) which is also one of the oldest wooden trestle bridges in Victoria! There were many others that have now been destroyed so seeing this still standing is quite interesting and a must-do if you are in the area.
Toorongo Falls & Circuit Walk (6 kms from Noojee Pub)
Another excellent place to spend a day is visiting the twin falls. The Toorongo Falls Circuit Walk is quite pleasant giving you an opportunity to view both Toorongo Falls and Amphitheatre Falls which are just 600 metres apart. The Toorongo Falls Walk is a 2.2-kilometre loop that meanders through cool temperate rainforest, where moss carpets tree trunks and the air smells of rain. The track splits into two with one branch leading to Toorongo Falls, a 25-metre cascade tumbling down a fern-lined rock face, and the other to Amphitheatre Falls, slightly smaller but equally tranquil.
Read more about the falls at Toorongo Falls Circuit Walk, Noojee.
Marvel & Meet the Ada Tree
Estimated to be over 300 years old and rising more than 75 metres tall, this mountain ash tree is considered to be one of Victoria’s largest living tree (surviving fire and storms)! It’s super huge and worth that walk. We are still in awe of its size!
This is a great bushwalking experience with a 3.6 km return loop walk that takes roughly around 1.5 hrs to complete. It is an easy walk, suitable for all fitness levels and doable for all ages. There is a sheltered picnic table and toilet facilities close to the car park.
Glen Nayook Bushland Reserve (12 km from Noojee, towards Drouin)
This easy 1.5 km return walk offers a beautiful tree-fern gully walk
Cafés, Trout and Country Charm
We love our drives here and often travel for lunch at the Noojee Pub or Toolshed Noojee. For me, the beautiful location overlooking the river makes it extra special. For something a bit more relaxed, stop at Little Red Duck Café, where you can enjoy homemade cakes, hot coffee, and local produce. The café’s riverside setting makes it perfect for a slow morning or afternoon pause. A visit to Noojee’s Alpine Trout Farm promises another delightful stop. If you’re interested in catching a trout or salmon, this is the perfect place. What’s more, they provide BBQ facilities, making it an ideal setting for a picturesque picnic by the waterside.
Travel Tip: As with most small towns, many cafés and shops in the region close early, especially on weekdays. Plan your meals or carry some snacks if you’re staying late at the waterfalls or trestle bridge.
Location & Distance Guide to Noojee
Route: Noojee is located 129 km east of Melbourne via the Princes Highway and 38 km north of Warragul
All Images copyright @ashimaelectric
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