A Rail Trail in Transition – The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail
In the Spring 2024 edition of Connections, Jeff Nolan, RTA Southeast Queensland Representative, explores the development of the 161km-long Brisbane Valley Rail Trail (BVRT). “The BVRT began its formation when the first 9km of disused rail corridor between Lowood and Fernvale opened as a repurposed rail trail in 2003”. It was, as Jeff writes: “an ‘adventure’ trail, the domain of hardy and competent cyclists on mountain bikes, seasoned walkers and horse riders who all had to contend with innumerable gates, washed out gullies and, as some have described, a goat track.”
Today, Jeff reports that the rail trail is now recognised as a major economic driver along the valley. “Cafes have emerged in every village and town on the trail. Hotels have been rejuvenated and refurbished due to increased patronage for both refreshments and accommodation. Caravan parks have expanded and been marketed towards trail users … bike shops have opened.”
Read Jeff’s inspiring article on the growth of the BVRT into one of Australia’s premium rail trails HERE.
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24/03/25
More News
We’ve added a bucket hat with the RTA logo and a drawstring for adjustments to our line of Rail Trails Australia b...
The State Government has provided funding to the City of Adelaide Council and the Unley Council to undertake significan...
Western Australia’s Department of Transport has released the Avon Central Coast 2050 Cycling Strategy, setting the st...
Construction of the next section of the Yarra Valley Trail (YVT), from Melba Bend to the Yarra River near Yarra Glen, i...
In good news, the recently-completed 30 km southern section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail (NRRT) from Lismore to Cas...
Mansfield Shire Council has shown its commitment to maintaining the Great Victorian Rail Trail (GVRT) by spending $54,80...
Victorian rail trails may benefit from a grant pool of $3.55 million that is available for selected projects that enhanc...
The final detour has been removed from the High Country Rail Trail with the completion of a steel-truss bridge across T...
‘Rutherglen Loops’, a project that combines sealed paths, concrete shared paths, and carefully planned on-r...
Cradle Coast Authority launched a photo competition for images that highlight the scenery, amenity or activity along nor...
Yarra Ranges Council rolled out a ‘Summer on the Trails’ campaign recently to encourage more trail users to get off ...
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4 comments on “A Rail Trail in Transition – The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail”
It's great to see the upgrades of the BVRT are making it more accessible for all abilities of riders. However, I'm still glad I rode the trail starting in 2015 when it was more basic and we had to negotiate the creek crossings and there were hardly any others disturbing the tranquility of the bush. That was fun. I wasn't young then either (70yrs and female). A couple of years ago I did a couple of sections again and it was very busy with young men going hell for leather and lots of people on electric bikes. I've nothing against electric bikes it's just that I had to share the bush with so many others. However, I mustn't be selfish.
Love that the bridges are slowly being upgraded to be used for the trail. Great work to all those involved in fundraising for it. ❤️
The dips and climbs are tricky. I managed to break my wrist going under and up the other side of this. A bike with disc brakes I wasn’t used to yet. My own fault of course. 😆
New bridge over Sandy Creek is very welcome!
One mor bridge and some grading would make Coominya tomEsk much better and more used!
G'day out there Rail Trailers. The resently referbished bridge between EsK and Coominya is called Black Snake Gully Bridge. Sandy Creek Bridge is certainly identified as on the list to be refurbished,pending funding. Esk to Coominya is the longest section of the BVRT and I love it! This section has thankfully, six saved beautiful iconic timber bridges. All differnt and beautiful in their own right. This is the most User friendly section because there is no adjacent properties grazing stock and, NO GRIDS! No gates for the horse Riders to have to open. Users please ride to conditions and observe the, "keep to the left" road rules because, there a couple of blind curves and we don't want anyone to have a HEAD ON! Love YA.