Heyfield: Wetlands, Timber History and Rail Trail

Heyfield offers several reasons to spend time outdoors while exploring the town’s history: walks through a wetland, a memorial to Victoria’s timber workers, and a long rail trail that runs through the town. There is also a park with a playground and picnic facilities, seasonal museum exhibitions, and annual events. When choosing when to travel and where to stay, it’s worth considering these different highlights separately.

Wetlands and timber history

The 28-hectare protected area of the Heyfield Wetlands offers walks in a natural wetland setting. Four kilometres of paths, eight fitness stations and boardwalks characterise the area. Activities available there also include birdwatching, fishing, photography and outdoor events. You can tailor your visit to your interests: the paths invite you to walk, while birdwatching and photography focus your attention on nature. Fishing and events offer other ways to spend time in the wetlands.

A different focus awaits at the Victorian Timber Workers Memorial. This permanent state memorial commemorates Victoria’s timber workers; a plaque records the names of people who died in workplace accidents in the timber industry. The memorial also includes a public art sculpture, 75 mature yellow-barked trees, connecting paths, low stone walls and seating. The combination of named remembrance, art and trees gives the site more than one focal point. The Gippsland Plains Rail Trail passes through Heyfield and by the memorial, making it easy to locate both places together along the route.

The Heyfield & District Museum offers another perspective on the history of Heyfield and its surrounds. It is housed in the former post office and features seasonal exhibitions, photographs and memorabilia. Unlike the memorial, which is dedicated to timber workers, the museum explores the history of the town and surrounding area through changing exhibitions. As these are seasonal, plan your visit around what you’d like to see.

Parks, trails and event dates

At Heyfield Apex Park, facilities include a playground with a wooden treehouse, giant swing, jumping truck and wooden sculptures of Australian animals. Picnic tables, free covered electric barbecues and toilets add to the park’s facilities. If you’d like to include play opportunities and an outdoor meal in your plans, this offers a distinctly different focus from the wetlands paths or a historical visit to the memorial.

A council notice dated 6 February 2021 described a redeveloped skate park and a then-new pump track at the Youth Play Precinct in Heyfield. If you plan to use these facilities, check their current condition before your visit.

The Rail Trail’s length and route are specified: it runs for 67 kilometres from Traralgon to Stratford, passing through Heyfield and by the memorial. Nearby, Blores Hill Mountain Bike Park has trails purpose-built for mountain bikers. This gives you different landmarks to consider when planning: a 67-kilometre route that passes through Heyfield and by the memorial, or purpose-built mountain bike trails in the surrounding area. Conditions on the trails at Blores Hill can change.

The events calendar also helps you plan when to visit. The Heyfield Lumberjacks B & S Ball is held annually in April, and the Heyfield Vintage Machinery Rally annually in May. If either event is the reason for your trip, check the current event date before making plans.

Discover more destinations: Porepunkah, St Andrews, Omeo, Smythesdale, Burnbank, Avoca, Ballarat East, Mooroopna.

For the broader travel overview: Victoria.