Trawool: River Trails and Reservoir History

Trawool lies along the middle reaches of the Goulburn River; Trawool Station marks the locality. Trails, river landscapes and a historic reservoir showcase different sides of the area. The Great Victorian Rail Trail begins at the Goulburn River in Trawool and follows the river; the Gawarn-Baring Walk leads from the Goulburn Valley Highway along the Falls Creek corridor to the reservoir. When planning a trip, you can choose between a riverside route and a hike with views across the valley.

River and Rail Trail

The Great Victorian Rail Trail begins at the Goulburn River in Trawool and follows the river through stands of gnarled river red gums. The route from Tallarook to Trawool is listed as 11 km long. The river and gnarled trees give this section a clear natural focus; the specific distance also helps you consider the ride as a distinct part of your trip. If you’re looking for a river-focused route, this offers a different experience from the Gawarn-Baring Walk: the emphasis is not on forest, granite and valley lookouts, but on the river and its river red gums.

The Gawarn-Baring Walk

The Gawarn-Baring Walk draws attention to the Trawool Valley and the historic reservoir. It takes walkers from the Goulburn Valley Highway along the Falls Creek corridor to Trawool Reservoir. The trail passes through eucalypt forest, by granite outcrops and to open lookouts across the valley. The sequence of forest, exposed granite and open views offers several distinct landscape experiences along the hike. The reservoir makes this a route with a named destination; if you prefer this combination, you can weigh it against the Rail Trail ride alongside the river.

History and fishing at the reservoir

Trawool Reservoir is not only the destination at the end of the trail, but also a place with its own infrastructure history. Built in 1895, it played an important role in the region’s early water supply. The reservoir is decommissioned but remains part of the Gawarn-Baring experience. Recreational fishing is possible at the reservoir, including for golden perch and silver perch; two fishing platforms are located near the picnic area. This brings history, a walking experience and a specific fishing opportunity together in one place. When choosing an activity, consider whether you’d rather explore the trail and its lookouts or also use the reservoir for recreational fishing.

Camping and accommodation planning

Another specific detail to consider when planning an overnight stay is the Trawool Walk in Camping Area: it is a designated camping area within the Goulburn River Heritage River and Horseshoe Lagoon Flora and Fauna Reserve. When looking for a hotel or other accommodation, it helps to first decide what kind of trip you want: will it focus mainly on the river route, walking landscapes, or the reservoir and fishing? This way, you can choose accommodation based on the activities that make Trawool special for you.

Discover more destinations: Avoca, Wedderburn, Horsham, Yarck, Tallygaroopna, Barnawartha, Mount Evelyn, Cape Bridgewater.

For the broader travel overview: Victoria.