Imagine if you could ride from Ipswich to Gladstone on rail trails (and some back roads)?
Well, one day you might be able to. At present you can ride Ipswich to Gladstone on rail trails for a good chunk of it, and dream of more.
On 11 September 2021, the Barrimoon Tunnels section of the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail was opened. That’s near Kalpowar, down into the Boyne Valley, if you are unfamiliar with Barrimoon as a locality.
I decided that I would attend the opening event. And that I would ride there, just to highlight the possibility of linking up the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail, and the Kilkivan to Kingaroy Rail Trail, and the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.
I put the idea out to friends on social media, with the result that a group of between three and eight riders were participants in the inaugural Great Queensland Rail Trail Adventure, as depicted in the slideshow above. We had an awesome time, and I reckon it’s achievable for even the most average of bike riders.
2025 UPDATE: It is very gratifying to hear of riders and groups of riders who ride this route, either heading north from Ipswich, or getting up to Gladstone and riding south.
I wrote these pages four years ago, so things have changed since then, especially in the small towns of regional Queensland (it can be tough to survive!). Please check for yourself about the businesses named. For instance, Kirsten’s Cottage in Builyan has changed hands, and its opening hours have also changed.
Some very good news: The Grand Hotel at Many Peaks has reopened. Craig and Desley O’Grady are the new owners, and you’ve never met two people more determined to make a success of a pub. Plenty of traffic on the pub’s Facebook page so check in with them for meals and accommodation on the BBIRT section of this route. That’s from Barrimoon down to Builyan (or Builyan up to Barrimoon, I don’t know which way you are riding).
DAY BY DAY on the GQRTA.
- Overview
- Day 1: Wulkuraka to Toogoolawah
- Day 2: Toogoolawah to Yarraman
- Day 3: Yarraman to Kingaroy
- Day 4: Kingaroy to Proston
- Day 5: Proston to Gayndah
- Day 6: Gayndah to Eidsvold
- Day 7: Eidsvold to Mungungo
- Day 8: Mungungo to Ubobo
- Day 9: Ubobo to Gladstone
I am very much indebted to my touring companions on this ride for their support, their company, and their photographic skills. Thank you Belinda, Robert, Brett, Ian, Emma, Fiona, and Adrian.
