So the plan changed to driving to Lakes Entrance and then riding the Gippsland Discovery Trail back up to the East Gippsland Rail Trail just past Bruthen and continuing on that to Orbost. (About 70km).
The Gippsland Discovery Trail was a bit rough and some very steep sections. But it's a beautiful ferny valley along the Mississippi Creek.
The Rail Trail from Bruthen to Nowa Nowa was really good, but the section from Nowa Nowa was a bit more rough.