Happy trails for locals and visitors in Leongatha
02/03/2026If you’re heading out along south Gippsland’s iconic Great Southern Rail Trail, be sure to stop off in Leongatha to check out the town’s rejuvenated historic railway precinct.
With a rich history that stretches back more than 100 years, the precinct is an important landmark for Leongatha and surrounds.
That’s why we partnered with the Australian Government and South Gippsland Shire Council to jointly invest $6 million in refreshing the site and securing it as a visitor destination for current and future generations.
Works have created a new pedestrian bridge from the trail that meets Leongatha’s main street, creating an easy link for people to stop in town and visit local traders.
A new green space has also become home to the popular monthly Rail Trail Community Market, which has grown to attract 3,000 attendees since the project’s completion.
Young visitors and locals can also enjoy a new large, modern playground with slides and flying foxes, while parents and carer's can relax knowing the fully fenced space provides a safe environment for children to explore away from traffic.
There’s also a large mural, painted by artist Ash Taylor, stretching across the back of the Bair Street shops that has transformed the formerly blank space. Visible from across the precinct, the mural showcases native flora and fauna, celebrating the natural beauty of South Gippsland.
These features are complemented by new public toilets, tree plantings and landscaping works – as well as more parking spaces for cars and bikes.
Delivered by local contractors, these works, and those ongoing at the Korumburra railway precinct are enriching visitors’ experience of the region and bringing economic benefit to the area.
We’ve supported this redevelopment with $2 million, adding more than $10 million provided to support the growth of the Great Southern Rail Trail across 4 stages.
Through our Council Support Package, we’ve also provided $100,000 towards a range of initiatives to activate the trail and promote it to visitors – including the inaugural Southern Rail Trail Running Festival in May last year, which attracted more than 400 participants.
Our support for Leongatha and the Great Southern Rail Trail is part of our ongoing work to making Victoria’s regions even better places to live, work, stay, experience, invest and study.