Brisbane Valley Rail Trail – Map & Cycling Guide
The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail - or the BVRT as it is mostly referred to - is Australia's longest 'official' rail trail. This means that the trail is one of only a handful that nearly entirely follows the original train easement and corridor.
Spanning 161kms on length, from the Brsibane outer city hub of Ipswitch all the way to sleepy Yarraman. The BVRT winds its way up the Brisbane valley, traversing farmland, forests, picturesque rural settings and country towns. Being on the old railway line, the BVRT provides a gentle, off-road cycling or walking climb up the valley for day trippers, overnight camping or multi day adventures.
This cycling guide will help you plan your ride on the BVRT. Enjoy and get riding!!
1. Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Map & Location
The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail is located in South East Queensland, official starting (or ending) in the regional city of Ipswitch.
The BVRT includes the towns Ipswitch, Fernvale, Lowood, Coominya, Esk (a major hub and stop town), Toogoolawah, Harlin, Moore, Linville (great pub!), Benarkin, Blackbutt and Yarraman. There is plenty of variety across these mostly typical regional Queensland towns which adds to the cycling experience.
Yarraman is the highest point of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, standing at 560 meters above sea level, and therefore makes for an ideal starting point with a as any cycling from here will be downhill.
This interactive map of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail provides a fantastic overview of where the BVRT is location in relation to Brisbane, and the distances along the trail (thanks to the tireless work of Paul Heymans at the BVRT Users Association).
2. How to Get To The BVRT
Access to the region to start and end your cycling trip on the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail is relatively easy.
You have the following options
- Drive: Ipswitch is around 1 hrs easy drive from Brisbane either on the M7 or M5 depending on where you're coming from. There are several places to park overnight in Ipswich, including car parks, street parking, and meters.
Ipswich Village car park: Long stay pay and display parking
Portman Road car park: Long stay pay and display parking
Nicholas Street Precinct Carpark: Undercover parking with free parking for the first 3 hours - Rail: There are regular suburban train services from downtown Brisbane to Ipswitch which would also allow bikes. and take about 1hr 15m. Ensure to read the rules about bikes on trains here first.
- Ride! If super keen and an experienced rider, you could cycle the 40km journey from Central Brisbane using the Centenary Highway Bikeway in part, and some roads. You would need to be a confident navigator for this undertaking!
3. What is the Best Bike To Use?
One of the many things that regular riders of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail love is that it is not a paved surface. There are small sections that are paved, mainly in and around the towns, but the vast majority of the surface is semi packed and packed gravel, and hard dirt.
So the BVRT isn't a super smooth surface and does have loose gravel and debris.
We recommend a dual suspension mountain bike for the most comfortable ride, or at least a front suspension hard tail mountain bike if possible.
Having said that, plenty of cyclists ride the BVRT on regular hybrids and even CS style bikes, but again we would recommend a thicker tyre.
Certainly a road bike would be uncomfortable and the constant risk of puncture would be present.
4. Highlights of the BVRT
The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail has plenty to offer cyclists, particularly those on a multi day ride.
Here's our short list of highlights, but there are many more we could easily add to this list.
The Rail Trail Itself
The completion of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail is no small feat. Spanning over 161kms it has taken years of tireless lobbying, planning, pitching and building to have this great asset available for us to enjoy. And the work never stops, with new bridges being added, and plans for many more further improvements.
Australian Outback Vistas
The BVRT offers riders and all users alike quintessential Australian outback vistas. There are a number of high points and viewing stops that provide sweeping views that include the Brisbane Valley itself, the often fast flowing Brisbane River that flows out of Lake Wivenhoe and open farm and rural landscapes.
Underpass Murals
The BVRT has a number of underpasses that include some outstanding mural art. The BVRT User Association has done an outstanding job in procuring funding and artists to complete these projects and they really do add to the experience.
The murals of course have stories, mostly about the trains themselves that historically ran along the Brisbane Valley rail line. There is signage and we encourage you to stop, admire, take a photo and read the history of these fantastic artworks.
5. Cycling Tours on the BVRT
Take the hassle out of your visit and let someone else look after the logistics.
Tour de Vines offers a range of cycling tours on the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, from self guided short getaway to a small group fully trip covering the length of the rail trail and ending in luxury at Noosa Heads!
Choose from Guided or Self Guided, all fully supported and all designed to have you experiencing the best of the BVRT.
Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Cycling Tour – Self Guided
Duration:2N/3D Difficulty:Medium From$699 Request Itinerary Book Now Play Video The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail At 161kms in length the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail is the longest rail trail in Australia. This self guided cycling tour will have you riding the best sections of this fantastic Queensland getaway, whilst taking care of those pesky logistics…
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Tour de Queensland Rail Trails
Duration: 7N/8D Difficulty: Easy/Interm From $A4,399 Request Itinerary Book Now This Queensland Cycling Tour is a beauty. Ride the Kilkivan and Brisbane Valley Rail Trails in a fully supported, small group tour. Finish with 2 nights in beautiful Noosa and an easy coastal ride. On this Queensland cycling tour, the terrain is as varied as…
Find Out More6. Plan Your Trip - Stay, Eat, Drink
Places to Stay
There are many places to stay in the towns that the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail travels through.
Here's a short list of some properties
Esk
- Esk Caravan Park & Wivenhoe Motel are owned by the same group, book online
- Grand Hotel Esk, centre of town and the social heart of Esk. Typical pub rooms.
- Twilight Farm B&B, for something different, a little out of town.
Toogoolawah
- Peddler's Rest aptly named & well located.
- The Bank on Cressbrook, little bit more stylish!
Blackbutt
- Kala Country Cottage, small, good location, with a hot tub!
- Farmstay in Blackbutt, lovely stay, limited number of rooms, great for cyclists.
Linville
- Rail Trail Refuge. Made for cyclists, small so book early. Great place.
- Linville Hotel. Perfect put down after riding to Linville, lunch at the pub and too many beers.
Moore
- Montrose on Moore. Ideal for groups, breakfast on site works!
Places to Eat & Drink
Expect typical Australian fare in the Brisbane Valley region, and some of it very good fare. Here's a few places to stop while out on your cycling adventure
Esk
- Again the Grand Hotel, perhaps "famous" for it's schnitzel, very good bistro style dinner meals, large outdoor area.
- Brisbane Valley Roasters, must stop for coffee or breakfast (maybe the best coffee on the BVRT)
- Nash Gallery & Cafe. Beautiful building & garden, hearty breakfast on the deck, best start to the day.
- Esk Thai a great alternate dinner option, good curry. Small dine in area.
Fernvale
- Tree Change Cafe, ideal if ending or starting here, or riding through to Esk/Ipswitch. Great lunches.
Toogoolawah
- Exchange Hotel has large lunch and dinner pub meals.
- Hav'A'Chat Cafe. Fun name. Good option for lunch or hot day cold drink stop with lovely garden out back.
Blackbutt
- Blackbutt Bakery perfect lunch or mid morning stop. regularly wins Awards for their Pies in the Great Aussie Pie Competition! Epic vanilla slice.
Linville
- Linville Hotel is becoming a must stop whilst cycling the BVRT. Perfect put down after descending from Yarraman.
Moore
- Moore Cafe, burgers, toasties, cold drinks.
Yarraman
- Farmhouse Coffee Lounge. Hot/cold drinks, good hearty breakfast if staying overnight before cycling.
- Yarraman Hotel has a front bar & dining area.
*please be aware there have been some venues close and there have been new openings in the region so check before visiting on your ride.
7. Best Time of Year to Visit?
The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail is located in South East Queensland and therefore enjoys year round sunshine. Being slightly inland, elevated and relatively north, the Brisbane Valley region does have it's own micro climate.
The region is very hot and humid in the summer months from November through to March and whilst some are happy to ride the BVRT at this time, for most it's not ideal timing.. If riding at this time limit your cycling to very early or late, ensure you have working lights and plenty of water.
The ideal time to ride the BVRT is during the southern hemisphere winter. Whilst evenings can be very cool, even down to Zero (degrees), the days are generally mild, sunny and ideal for cycling. Choose from April through to October for great riding conditions.
River Crossings
It's worth noting the BVRT has a number of main river crossings that can flood in the wetter months, which is generally around February, although can be at anytime. Stay abreast of conditions as flash floods, storms and trail conditions can change at very short notice and trail closures at not unusual. Probably the best place for short notice updates is the BVRT Facebook group page.
9. Sample Cycling Itineraries
What is the best way to experience the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail ride? Of course this entirely depends on what you like, and the options are limitless, from 1 day to many days. So we have broken it down into the following categories:
Easy Cycling (93kms 2 days)
Day 1: Head to Esk, check in for the night.
Day 2: Pre arrange a morning transfer to Fernvale, ride back. A cruisy 44kms mainly flat with some rise toward Esk. Total 44kms. Overnight Esk.
Day 3: Arrange a transfer to Yarraman, roll down the fun descent all the way to Moore after stopping for lunch in Linville. Transfer back to Esk. Total 49kms.
Moderate Cycling (138kms 3 days)
Day 1: Drive to Fernvale. Park. Ride to Esk. 44kms
Day 2: Transfer to Yarraman, ride to Moore. 49kms
Day 3: Ride Esk to Moore. 45kms.
Challenging Cycling (161kms 2 days)
Day 1: Start in Wulkuraka ride to Esk. 67kms.
Day 2: Transfer to Yarraman, ride to Esk 94kms. Day 3: Ride from Bright all the way back to Wangaratta. Approx 75kms.
Extended Cycling Tour*
There is a back country trail that links the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail to the nearby Kingaroy to Kilkivan Rail Trail. The trail includes a shallow water crossing and can be rough in parts so is recommended for more serious riders. The Link Trail info can be found here.
11. Ask Us a Question
Let us know if we can assist with any of your plans to cycle the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.
