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From Discovery and CruisingTo Advanced Mountaineering Expedition
The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail is the longest rail trail in Australia and arguably one of the most iconic. On this guided itinerary you will cycle the best parts of the rail trail and get to visit some of the lesser-known gems of the Somerset region.
To experience Somerset to the fullest the trip will visit the Stonehouse which is heritage-listed former homestead and inn with a rich history. The Stonehouse is not usually open to the public so this visit will allow you to gain a rare insight into the area. We will visit a local Macadamia Farm for a tasting. Stops at historical townships with good coffee and bakery treats and excellent country hospitality are all part of the experience.
The cycling is on mixed surfaces of gravel, dirt and asphalt and is achievable for anyone of reasonable fitness and cycling ability. Along the route you'll pass through prime agricultural land, a rugged mountain range and forests of Blackbutt, Hoop Pine and Cedar. Having a guide and a support van in the area means that the cycling each day is flexible. Cycle as much or as little as you prefer. Each night we head away from the Rail Trail to our accommodation, staying in a farmstay near Moore and glamping on the shore of Lake Wivenhoe. You’ll be able to soak in the stars at night, enjoy visits by local animals, and wake up to the chatter of the birds in the morning.
51kg of CO2-e PP per day
(204kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
Day 1
Arrive Ipswich
On arrival, make your way to your hotel in the centre of town. Ipswich is easy to reach by train from central Brisbane - there are regular services taking 60 minutes. The remainder of the day is free to explore Ipswich. To set the mood for your rail trail experience, why not visit the Workshops Rail Museum with its exhibits of locomotives. You can also visit the art gallery, Queens Park or take in the cafes, restaurants and shops at 'Top of Town' on the historic part of Brisbane Street. Dinner at leisure. Overnight: Ipswich.
Meals: Nil
Day 2
Transfer to Yarraman, collect bike then hit the trail for an easy downhill to Linville (34-43km)
Early this morning (usually at 6.30am sharp during summer/8:30am during winter) you will meet with our local partner for a transfer that will take you from your hotel to the township of Yarraman, the northern end of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, approximately two hours north west of Ipswich. The transfer through the Brisbane Valley is a scenic drive through rural areas with sweeping views of the ranges as you cross the Brisbane River along its upper reaches. This is prime agricultural land and even with the ever increasing urban sprawl of Brisbane and Ipswich it still produces a lot of produce for the Brisbane market. Today you cycle from Yarraman to Linville. We will stop in at Blackbutt and its famed bakery for morning tea. Once we are sufficiently fueled, we will continue towards the foot of the ranges to the small town of Linville, with its historic station and railway carriages a reminder that you are on an old rail trail. We will have lunch here at the Linville Hotel. This afternoon we will jump back in the bus for the short drive to our accommodation for the night, a picturesque farmstay where you can relax and enjoy the views. Overnight: farmstay near Moore. *The transfer this morning is from your hotel in Ipswich. If you have your car and prefer to drive to Wulkuraka, you can be picked up from the trailhead carpark instead, located at 163 Grace Street, Wulkuraka. The drive between Ipswich and Wulkuraka is less than 10 minutes. Please let us know if you prefer this option at the time of booking.
Meals: D
Day 3
Visit the Stonehouse in Moore, cycle Toogoolawah to Esk, afternoon sail on Lake Wivenhoe (20km)
This morning we will visit the historic Stonehouse in Moore. We'll have a private tour where we gain insight into the rich history of the region and be treated to a tasty morning tea. From there we will drive to Toogoolawah to begin our cycle today. We'll cycle a shorter distance today so that we have time to experience the best of the area - both on the rail trail and its surrounds. A leisurely cycle of 19 kilometres will bring us to Esk where we will stop for lunch. After lunch we will head towards our accommodation for tonight, nestled on the banks of Lake Wivenhoe. To truly appreciate the lake we will be treated to an afternoon sail, stepping on to the boat just a stone's throw from your glamping tent. After a sail and sometime to enjoy the campgrounds we'll be treated to a delicious home cooked BBQ. Overnight: glamping on Lake Wivenhoe ascent: 242m, descent: 270m
Meals: B,D
Day 4
Cycle Coominya to Fernvale (22km), return transfer to Ipswich
After a cooked breakfast and hot coffee enjoyed lakeside, we will head out for our last day together. We will start the day heading back towards Esk where we will visit a local macadamia farm. We'll drive from the macadamia nut farm to Coominya where we will get back on the bike for our cycle to Fernvale. We'll have lunch in Fernvale to cap off a great trip together. This afternoon you will be transferred back to Ipswich where the trip will conclude.
Meals: B
What's included
What's not included
The bikes we provide are electric mountain bikes which are available in a range of sizes. You will be supplied with a helmet, bike lock, bike rack with one side pannier, basic repair kit, and a water bottle cage affixed to the bike. Generally, we use TREK Allant 7+ Low Step E-bike. It is not possible to attach your own seat or pedals to the bikes provided.
We can provide a Hardtail Mountain Bike for a small discount and these are available in a range of sizes. Generally, we use TREK Marlin 6 bikes as they are best suaited to the trail. It is not possible to attach your own seat or pedals to the bikes provided.
There is a variety of trail surfaces to be experienced on the BVRT. Compacted dirt surfaces are common on the trail but also sections of soft dirt, where care needs to be taken, particularly after rain.
Well graded gravel sections are featured throughout the route. Throughout the trip you will need to cycle across cattle/stock grids and care should be taken during these. There are also steep gullies where it is recommended that you dismount your bike.
You’ll spend 3 nights in clean and comfortable accommodation. Each night is a little bit different. The first night is spent in a centrally located hotel in Ipswich. The second night is spent at a farmstay near Moore. Here we will stay in a 2 bedroom house that can fit 4 people. There is one bathroom shared between the two bedrooms. The last night we will stay in a glamping tent on the shore of Lake Wivenhoe. These tents sleep two and you will use the shared amenities block which is a short walk away from the tents.
This guided trip involves 3 days of undulating, dedicated cycle trails. Daily cycling distance varies from 20 to 43km per day, however there are options to increase or decrease these distances depending on the group. The Rail Trail is usually gently undulating, with a few longer ascents that on completion you are rewarded with stunning views. The Rail Trail path is shared between walkers and horse riders, but is free from road traffic. The trail surface is made up of either gravel or dirt which can sometimes be soft and therefore requires care. Some short sections are more challenging as the gravel is coarse and rocky, and there are steep gulleys where it is recommended that you dismount your bike. The trail is best suited to electric mountain bikes - we can provide hard tail mountain bikes for a discount.
Per Person, Twin Share
The luggage transfer is limited to one bag per person, weighing less than 15kg per person. If you have excess luggage you will need to leave this in Ipswich.
Along with a guide you will also have an escort driver throughout the trip. There is plenty of flexibility to shorten the rides for each day or stay on the bus if needed. We can also offer longer cycling days if you prefer.
There are plenty of options to leave your car in Ipswich. At most hotels that we work with it is possible to leave your car at the hotel (a parking fee will apply, payable directly to the hotel). There is also plenty of street parking.
If you have your car you may prefer to drive to Wulkuraka early on the morning of day 2 so you can be picked up from the train station instead of your hotel in Ipswich. The drive between Ipswich and Wulkuraka is less than 10 minutes. This option means that when you finish on day 4 you will be able to drive straight from Wulkuraka rather than first catching the train back to Ipswich. Please let us know if you prefer this option at the time of booking.
Ipswich is approximately 31 kilometres from Brisbane. The drive will take approximately 30 minutes.
There is a direct train departing from Brisbane Central station, platform 5 station, and arriving at Ipswich station, platform 1 station. Services depart every 15 minutes, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 58 min and costs $5-7.
Alternatively, there is a direct bus departing from Brisbane and arriving at Ipswich. Services depart twice daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 42 min and costs $5.
Visit https://translink.com.au/seq for further information.
Yes, you need to be a capable cyclist. You will cover between 20km to 43km in a day. Most of the cycling is along the dedicated cycle path. The Rail Trail path is shared between walkers and horse riders, but is free from road traffic. The trail surface is made up of either gravel or dirt which can sometimes be soft and therefore requires care.
The trail is best suited to mountain bikes - we provide electric mountain bikes on the trip.
Yes, you can use your own bike if you prefer. Let us know at the time of booking and a small discount will be applied.
If you are travelling in Australia during the months of August and November you may encounter some swooping magpies. Only a small percentage of mapgies will swoop during the mating season and they generally only protect a small area. Areas with swooping magpies are generally signposted and it is recommend that you walk rather than cycle through these areas. Some people will attach cable ties, reflective streamers or googly eyes to their helmet during the months of August to November. We recommend wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes, and wearing a cap or legionnaire's hat under your helmet. Or you can also look at purchasing a PieProof helmet for additional peace of mind. https://pieproof.com.au/
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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As the pioneers of self guided active travel in Australia you can expect a seamless experience. Our quality tour notes and logistical expertise sets us apart and ensures a quality experience for you.
Our team is passionate about cycling and their extensive knowledge and experience means you get the very best advice - every time. We will help you tailor the right cycling itinerary for you.
Expect first-class and flexible support both on and off the trail. We've sourced the highest quality bikes and most authentic accommodations so you can enjoy a stress free cycling trip.
By joining this trip you are directly supporting positive impact projects in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
We’ve offset the carbon emitted by this trip by purchasing credits that support important projects that address the UN’s seventeen SDGs, like reducing poverty, affordable and clean energy, reducing hunger, clean water and climate action.
Proceeds from this adventure purchase carbon credits through the world’s largest and most awarded carbon project developer, South Pole, which are invested into projects accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources in developing countries.
Supported projects are based on internationally recognised standards and are third-party audited. They entail a series of positive impacts on the ground, which benefit local communities and ecosystems, that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
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