Kilcoy – Jimna loop

104.3km

Gravel

Suitable for intermediate and advanced riders

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Here at Bicycle Queensland we love a ride that is a good loop, as every vista is new, and every metre that rolls under your tyres is a metre of discovery. Given the size of our state, there are some incredible rides to map out, but the trick can be making sure food and water is available on what looks to be a cracker of a longer loop.

The ride

This ride starts in Kilcoy, head north on Kennedy St out of town and then onto Mount Kilcoy Road. This passes via larger properties on a flat valley road, before the route turns abruptly skyward soon after the 20km mark and the most challenging climb of the route commences.

Strap yourselves in and engage low gear – this is a long one! You’ll gain nearly 500m in the next 4km. While it’s all double track and an open 4WD route, it is steep and has some washouts at different points. On the ridgeline you are now on an undulating route – watch for deep puddles after rain, but this is mostly fantastic adventure gravel riding.

At about 44km you join the sealed Kilcoy-Murgon road, and ride through the remnant forest to Jimna. Beware of vehicles on this route – it is lightly travelled but is a main connecting route. Turn right to Jimna at the 50km mark. There’s a small store in town, a park, toilets and Jimna Base Camp at the old school. This is open on weekends for coffee and snacks – you can also book to camp here or even book out the old Headmaster’s House if you prefer a real roof. With a basic camp kitchen, Jimna Base Camp is ideally placed to make this route a weekend bikepacking route.

Whether you leave Jimna the following day or after a coffee, do so with full bottles and pockets. The next resupply is back in Kilcoy in about 58km time. Climb School road and rejoin Kilcoy-Murgon Road, which is now dirt. You’ll ride past the old fire tower at and 56km turn hard left and onto a descent. This road is mostly narrow, with some bitumen but mostly dirt. Expect to see livestock on the road on the lower sections – enjoy the descent but be wary of oncoming traffic!

This valley goes through Monsildale, one of the earliest areas to be settled outside of Brisbane. With under 20 inhabitants, you should have a quiet ride down Monsildale Road and along Sheep Station Creek. A couple more routes join the dirt road and there are some minor climbs. At the 90km mark you reach Murgon-Kilcoy Road and return to Kilcoy. This is a main road so ride with awareness of traffic as you head back to Kilcoy.

How to Get There

Kilcoy is about an hour and a half from Brisbane or a little over an hour from the Sunshine Coast. You can park on William St, or near the yowie on Hope St. There’s a bakery and IGA in town to stock up on supplies. You can ride from Caboolture train station, but some parts of the route are less enjoyable by bike. You can even ride to Kilcoy from the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, using Gregors Creek Road, north of the Yimbun Rail Tunnel.

When to go

We rode the route in late May, which was sublime. But March through to October will likely be great. Avoid the route after extended wet weather, as you do pass through the Conondale Ranges on the way to Jimna. They stay a bit wet!

Eating and drinking

You have a few options in Kilcoy, from the pub through to CJ’s Pattiserie and beyond. Jimna is very limited, with a weekend kiosk and coffee at Jimna Base Camp

Where to stay

Contact Pete at stay@jimnabasecamp.com.au regarding bookings and opening hours.

Jimna Base Camp is your home away from home on this route, whether you knock out the ride in one day or stay there to make it a 2-day bikepacking adventure. Just remember they are only open on weekends! Email stay@jimnabasecamp.com.au to book.