Date: 20th to 27th October 2025
Organiser and Author: Carol
Cyclist: Dave, Debbie, Don and Carol
Supporters: Lyn and Neale
Index:
- Day by day
- Lessons and suggestions
- Distances
- References
Day Zero – Brisbane Airport to Ipswich
Bike packed in Auckland and unpacked at the Aiport. The Gold Coast train to Eagle Junction to change to the Ipswich train. There are plenty of trains available over the day. Probably best to avoid times that train is fuller [eg workers] as there is limited bikes allowed on trains. Load in either the first or last carriages.
Plenty of accommodation in Ipswich. We stayed in Central Motel Ipswich which is very central.
Day One –Shuttle. Kilkivan to Murgon – 45km
We caught the shuttle with Out There Cycling from our motel, who normally only pick up at the end point of Brisbane Rail Trail at Wulkraka which is 5 to 6km from Ipswich. They provided a good hire ebike for Debbie and kept our surplus baggage for us. There were also a group of four cyclists and another person picked up from Esk. Unfortunately when these cyclist were dropped off at Yarraman they unloaded Don’s bag as well. We had driven on about 20 km and had to come back to collect it, which added about 40 minutes to our drive north.
Lyn and Neale in their motorhome, were there to meet us at Kilkivan, then carried our panniers for the rest of trip which was fantastic. By the time we started it was midday and hot. The gravel with soft underneath with an uphill grind with many gates to open/shut, was hard work in the heat. Let alone dodging the magpie dive bombers. We found out there was a heat wave in the area with the temperatures up to 40c. We were glad that Lyn and Neale were there to meet us where the trail crossed the road [17km]. We had a rest from the sun and replenish of our water. Then 7km downhill to Goomeri for ice cream and cake
Another 17km to Murgon on gravel with more livestock gates to open plus some gullies to drop down in and out of. Interesting Australian country life.
Accommodation at The Australian Hotel Murgon. An old country pub.
Day Two – Murgon to Kingaroy – 43km
We are now on the South Burnett Rail Trail and it is all tarseal. What a breeze. It also helped that we started at 7:30am and it is cloudy. Although turned into another clear, hot day. We arrived in Kingaroy by midday with a stop along the way at Wondi [14km] for breakfast from the local bakery. I had booked a motel with a pool in Kingaroy. Our luck it was getting repaired.
The local RSL was a good for dinner. There is plenty of choice for accommodation in Wondi
Getting out of the heat in an old train station
Day Three – Kingaroy to Yarraman – 55km. 34km on country roads. 24km on an old stock route. To Blackbutt – 19km
Another very hot day. The heat wave is still on. We were away by 6:30am onto long straight tarseal back country roads, then gravel roads. Arrived at Nanango where Lynn and Neale met us for a water top up and short rest in the shade.
Then on the old stock route which was remote, with rough gravel road leading into tracks which would be muddy and slippery during or after rain. Many up and downs, ruts and creek crossings which we have been told can get up to waist high water during the rainy times. The creeks only had water up to bike peddles. This section is only suitable for mountain bikes or ebikes. We had to get off a few times to push our bikes over the rutted ground.
We arrived at Yarraman at the start of The Brisbane Rail Trail. Lyn and Neale again meeting us.
I had tried to book accommodation at Yarraman but there was none available therefore we had 19km more to do to get to Blackbutt. This section riding was a breeze. We stayed in the Blackbutt Motel.
Day Four – Blackbutt to Toogoolawah – 58km
6:30am start again as the days are still hot and tiring. 20km downhill through gum trees and cattle farming to Linville, with another catch up with Lynn and Neale. Lyn had decided to bike this section and had started and finished before us. Another 20 km to Harlin for a coffee stop. Then another 20km to Toogoolawah arriving at 12:10 and it is very warm, yet again. There were lots of steep little gullies to bike in and out of.
Staying in the Exchange Hotel with shared bathroom and showers. Large open shared balcony in the old pub. Accommodation again was hard to book. We found out there was a bowls tournament on at Toogoolawah, therefore lucky that we had organized a booking. Lyn and Neale parked their motorhome in freedom parking not far from the hotel.
After our pub meal, a couple who worked at the local abattoir told us to watch out for; deer, cows with calves, cows with horns and no tags, kangaroos, pigs, magpies and large black snakes. We thought what next?
Day Five – Toogoolawah to Esk – 20km
We started at 8:00am as it was only 20km today, with help yourself breakfast provided by the hotel. Arriving in Esk by 9:20am therefore stopping at a café for breakfast again. We didn’t see any ‘dangerous’ animals on the way. Neale rode with us.
At the Grand Esk Hotel which was another old Australian pub with shared bathrooms. It was good that they let us in by 11:45am and provide a locked container for our bike storage. Shower, rest, walk around the small town another pub meal, then sleep for the night
Day Six – Esk to Wulkuraka – 67km
An early start at 6:20am as it is going to be hot, yet again. Weather forecast is stating there is going to be thunderstorms, lightning and hail by 1pm. The track surface has improved remarkably. Smoother and downhill. We are so much faster. A stop at Lowood for coffee, milkshake and sandwiches. Plus a chat with Lyn and Neale. The last 5.8km was a concrete path. On to Wulkuraka for the end of the Brisbane Trail, where Lyn and Neale again meet us.
Debbie returned her hire bike to Out There Cycling shuttle and they gave us our bags. Lyn and Neale then kindly transport Debbie and our bags to our Ipswich accommodation. While Don, Dave and I biked the 6km to the Motel Monaco.
There is train station about a km from the end of the trail.
A swim in the pool, then a walk to the mall which had an early closing as it was Sunday. We stopped at the League Club for drink and feed as the heavy rain, lightning, thunder and large hail came down.
Day Seven – Ipswich to the Gold Coast – was meant to be by train
We packed up and walked our bikes into town for breakfast and waited until after 9am to catch the train to Roma Station in Brisbane. Train was cancelled due to the prior late afternoon storm and damage to the train lines. They would not allow bikes on the buses. So Debbie caught the bus with all our gear while the three of us biked the 20km to next open train station at Darra. It was getting hot by 10:30am. Another heat wave with news later stating it reached 40C in Ipswich.
Got to the station just as the train was about to leave. The train operators were kind enough to hold the train as we organised how to get to the correct side of the track and load our bikes and luggage on.
On to Roma Station to transfer to the Gold Coast train line, arriving in Nerang at 2pm and still hot at 38C. My daughter picked up Debbie and our bags. We rode the flat 9.5km bike ways and road with a tail wind, to her place.
An enjoyable trip although hard in places, tiring and very hot going. The shuttle operators we used were great to work with. Prompt email responses and phone calls
Lessons and Suggestions
- Plan your trip more in the winter months to avoid the heat. Check that it is not going to rain too much
- Winter months the days are cooler and the nights much colder.
- Try leaving early in the morning if the days are going to be hot.
- Reduce the first day to 35km especially if hot or stay in Kilkivan the night before.
- Before booking your flights, check and book the accommodation, as we could not get what we wanted especially on the Brisbane Rail Trail section
- Consider planning your ride of the Brisbane Rail Trail section during the week. There may be more accommodation available.
- If camping only, there are plenty of free campsites along the trail. Check the references.
- Carry spare tubes, puncture repair kit and tools with you. There are no bike shops on the ride
- The old pubs were interesting places to stay in.
- The Old Stock route between Nanango to Yarraman there is a section of maybe 2 to 3km which very hard. Would need an ebike or mountain bike. Consider an alternative way [eg shuttle] or be aware this could take you sometime eg walking.
- The internet is not reliable, therefore either down load maps or take hard copy.
- The trails are well signed posted
- There are flying bugs every now again therefore good idea to have a sandfly net / face covering.
- Streamers attached to the helmets were a good magpie deterrent. Season dependent.
- Carry enough water and top up when you can
- The shuttle operator Out There Cycling ebike contract includes a lot of words. Do not worry. Just make sure you contact them if you have ANY problems, at all. Do not try to fix any issues yourself.
- We recommend the shuttle operators – Out There Cycling. Friendly, helpful and prompt response [email, text or phone]. They also hire out bikes. https://outtherecycling.com.au/
Distances
References
www.southburnett.qld.gov.au/Places-and-spaces/Recreation/Rail-Trail