Building Australia's longest rail trail

Overview

Action 4.2: Deliver the missing link between Toogoolawah and Moore to complete the 161-kilometre Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, a recreational trail that follows the disused Brisbane Valley rail corridor from Wulkuraka, west of Ipswich, to Yarraman, west of Kilcoy.

Lead agency: Department of Transport and Main Roads

Status: Complete

Achievements

Construction of the missing section between Toogoolawah and Moore has now been finished, completing the 161km Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, and making it the longest rail trail in Australia.

The scenic route takes hikers, bicycle riders and horse riders on a disused rail corridor from Wulkuraka to Yarraman through the scenic Brisbane Valley in south-east Queensland.

With $1.8 million from the Queensland Government, $1.45 million from the Australian Government, and its own $104,000 contribution, the Somerset Regional Council designed and built the final 27km of trail.

This work included major creek crossings across Ivory Creek, Wallaby Creek, and Emu Creek, minor creek crossings, and four highway crossings, as well as the refurbishment of Jimmy Gully Bridge.

Rail trails encourage active lifestyles. They also support environmental preservation and bring a host of benefits to regional communities. This includes economic development in towns and communities along the trail, particularly through the growth of hospitality, tourism, and small businesses.

Within 12 months of completion of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, businesses and community groups were already reporting higher visitor numbers and increased business activity along the trail.

The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail will continue to be maintained and developed to ensure it is a world-class tourism asset and a major drawcard for national and international visitors to the region.

Next steps

We will progress strategic planning for the trail that will consider marketing opportunities, planning and prioritisation of proposed infrastructure upgrades and governance arrangements.