Toowoomba multi-day tour

Submitted by Ben Jones

A meander through SE Queensland, utilising 50 cent fares to get to Rosewood for the start, and to leave from Ipswich once the ride is complete. This loop utilises the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail (BVRT) and part of the Terra Australis bikepacking ultra course. I completed this ride in 5 days, but it could be done in a longer or a shorter period of time.  

Day 1: Rosewood to Koorleah National Park

Passes through quiet rural backroads, a lot of farmland, with sweeping vistas of Lake Moogerah, Mt Superbus and Cunningham’s Gap. A steep climb to finish the day before emerging on the stunning plateau of White Swamp.

Day 2: Koorleah National Park to Leyburn

A brutal climb to start the day, up to 1000m above sea level, passing through clouds and old growth rain forest, before a beautiful and well earned descent into Killarney for a warm coffee and a refill of water. From Killarney you pass through Tannymorel and enter more farmland before entering Warwick. From Warwick you traverse Sandy Creek Road and pass through Pratten before some stateforest riding before Leyburn, with Queensland’s oldest pub and a free campground with hot showers.

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Day 3: Leyburn to Dalby

A beautiful ride on a dirt road to Millmerran, before 3 to 4 hours of isolation, red dirt and beautifully undulating terrain in Dunmore State Forest. Cecil Plains has a wonderful small shop, a post office and a pub, before continuing on to Dalby on some of the flattest roads in south-east Queensland.

Day 4: Dalby to Linville

A hard day after the mostly flat day 3, especially with a headwind as I had. You will pass through more wheat fields and lots of quiet dirt and rural asphalt roads, as well as passing at the foot of the Bunya Mountains. A well deserved break comes in the form of the Cooyar Hotel, with cold drinks and lunch that is open a few days of the week. The ride up Mt Binga to Blackbutt can be a sore one at times, however I have never been more excited to see the BVRT in my life after a quick stop off at the Blackbutt Bakery and local store for some supplies for the following day.  The Rail Trail Refuge is an amazing place with lovely owners, and a soft bed after a plunge in the pool and a dinner at the Linville Hotel was amazing.

Day 5: Linville to Ipswich

A full day on the BVRT, passing through well known towns and being swooped by the locals. A welcome reprieve to not have to worry about traffic.