Traralgon to Walhalla: the Historic Gold Town Day Trip

A weekend in Traralgon opens the door to some of the best day trips in Gippsland, and historic Walhalla is right at the top of the list! The town’s enchanting local history will remove you from 2026 and transport you to the goldmines of the 1800s. Here’s everything you need to know to make a worthwhile day of it.

A Day Trip from Traralgon to Walhalla

Picture a tiny mountain town so remote, so hidden away in a narrow valley, that it didn’t get connected to the electricity grid until 1998. That’s Walhalla! It’s one of Victoria’s best kept secrets, found just over an hour from Traralgon.

Once one of the richest gold mining towns in the whole of Victoria, Walhalla at its peak was home to thousands of miners chasing their fortune through the beautiful mountains of Gippsland. Today just a handful of people call it home. However the town has been so well preserved, upon a visit, you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled into another era entirely.

Heritage buildings, a hillside cemetery with sweeping valley views and a historic tramway that still runs through town make this a rare day trip that delivers on the hype!

What to Do During a Day Trip to Walhalla

If you’re based in Traralgon for the weekend, this one is a no-brainer! Here’s what you could discover during a day of immersive history.

Ride the Walhalla Goldfields Railway

The local railway’s backstory is almost as interesting as the ride itself!

Walhalla agitated for a rail connection from the early 1870s, but government approval wasn’t granted until 1900, and the line wasn’t completed until 1910. The tragic punchline? By the time it was finished the mining operations had already started to slow, and the mines closed entirely in 1914. The railway (that was meant to save the town!) arrived just in time to watch it empty out. Eventually, the line closed in 1944, the tracks were pulled up, and the trees grew back as if it had never been there. But then, years later, a group of volunteers rebuilt it from scratch, reopening it in 2002.

Today the train departs from Walhalla Station and travels through Stringers Gorge to Thomson Station on a 60 minute return trip. The train runs on Wednesdays, weekends and school holidays, so check the timetable before you go!

Lunch at the Wally Pub

After the drive from Traralgon, and a ride on the railway, it might be time for a tasty lunch. The Walhalla Lodge Hotel serves traditional Aussie pub fare including steaks, burgers and parmas, with vegetarian and gluten free options available.

This central spot is open Wednesday to Sunday, so it’s worth checking ahead if you’re visiting on a weekday.

Tour the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine

Visiting the Gold Mine really means getting to the heart of Walhalla’s story. The mine commenced operation in 1865 and over its 50 year history produced over 13,000 kilograms of gold, making it the top producing gold mine in Victoria for six of those years.

At its peak, the population of the town of Walhalla itself swelled to over 4,800 people. However, today fewer than 20 call it home. Hop onto the guided tour, which takes visitors 150 metres below the surface and 300 metres into the hillside to a huge underground machinery chamber hewn from solid rock over a century ago.

Tours run daily and last around 50 minutes, and do book ahead on weekends as spots might fill up.

Ghost Tour (Saturday Nights Only)

Walhalla has a history that fits perfectly (and eerily) with ghost stories; with its mining accidents, isolated mountain living and the fact that it was essentially abandoned overnight.

The ghost tours are operated by the Walhalla Heritage and Development League and take you to the actual sites of some of the town’s most spine-tingling tragedies, told by guides who know every dark corner of the place. Tours run every Saturday night, so book on if you dare!

Walk the Historic Town

Before you go, give yourself an hour to simply wander around and soak up the little details. The old post office, heritage buildings and general store all look much as they did a century ago; they truly haven’t changed much. Don’t skip the hillside cemetery just out of town either, with its 1,100 graves on a steep hillside which tell the story of life on the goldfields. Yes, it’s pretty sombre but it’s genuinely one of the most moving things you can do here.

Where to Stay in Traralgon

For somewhere to rest your head in Traralgon, Mantra Traralgon is the obvious pick. Perfectly positioned in the heart of the CBD, the hotel is modern and comfortable and comes with a few surprises, including state-of-the-art ten-pin bowling, an on-site restaurant and versatile function spaces.

A solid base for a Gippsland weekend!

Check out the Mantra Traralgon here.