Day 3 of 8 Brisbane Valley Rail Trail - Linville to Harlin

 Sunday 4 June 2023 – Linville to Harlin

https://www.brisbanevalleyrailtrail.com.au/

https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/BVRT/Trail-map#onPageHeaderIdentifier2

Before leaving Linville we visited the Linville markets, where we picked up some Caramel Slice for morning tea on the way. Today’s hike was more undulating than the previous two days, with some short steep sections.  The track surface was very good underfoot, with moderate sun exposure between Linville and Moore.  When reaching Moore the trail can be a little confusing as there are contradictory old and new signs.  We chose to follow the new signs and then detour into town for a very early lunch.  Moore has public toilets and showers in the park in the centre of town.  We chose to eat at Tilly’s Café, where we had the largest kebabs I have ever seen.  They were fantastic!

https://www.queensland.com/au/en/places-to-see/destination-information/p-56b266347b935fbe730e52e6-moore

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063456404052

With very fully bellies we continued toward Harlin. This section had a lot of old bridge sites, which meant going down to water level and back up again.  These were not large but numerous.  The majority of this section is walking through open farmland.  There is a good view from Emu Creek.  I was also very grateful for the pedestrian bridge that has been built at Jimmy Gully specifically for rail trail users, as otherwise this would have been a steep descent and ascent.

We have camped for the night at the free camp in Harlin.  This has toilets but no showers. It appeared that none of the water was treated so I used my plunge filter for topping up our pack bladders.  

https://directory.fullrangecamping.com.au/item/simeon-lord-park-harlin-fc/

There is a hotel in Harlin, however it was not apparent whether or not this was open.  The service station however is a busy spot and does burgers and chicken as well as the usual service station style foods.

 

Day 2 of 8 Brisbane Valley Rail Trail - Blackbutt to Linville

 Saturday 3 June 2023 – Blackbutt to Linville

https://www.brisbanevalleyrailtrail.com.au/

https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/BVRT/Trail-map#onPageHeaderIdentifier2

As keen parkruners, we began the day with a parkwalk at Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Parkrun, that starts near the old Blackbutt Station, a few hundred metres from the showgrounds. 

https://www.parkrun.com.au/brisbanevalleyrailtrail/

I then walked into town to go to the bakery – the queue went across the shop and out onto the street.  After eating my purchases I could see why – divine!

https://www.facebook.com/blackbuttbakery/

https://www.discoversouthburnett.com.au/towns/blackbutt/

Then off on day 2 of our hike. The first 15km of this is through woodland, which provides lovely shade.  It is less than 5km from Blackbutt to Benarkin, so we didn’t stay in this town.  However there is a free camp with showers and toilets, right on the rail trail.  

https://www.queensland.com/au/en/places-to-see/destination-information/p-56b263902cbcbe7073addd84-benarkin

About 10km from Bernarkin the shade and woodland finish, with the remainder of the day fairly exposed.  There is a picnic shelter and toilet about half way between Benarkin and Linville, where we stopped to enjoy lunch.  This is MacNamara’s Camp. 

In the afternoon we did have the sun in our faces some of the time while walking, so sunscreen on.  Most of the BVRT the sun is behind you while walking – so either have a hat with neck protection or where a buff to avoid a sunburnt neck and back of head.  The section from Benarkin to Linville has five steep creek causeways.  Being a Saturday we saw a lot of cyclists of all ages and skills.  The last few kilometres before Linville had cattle sharing the path; they are quite walker aware and generally move away or stand and stare.

This was overall a fairly tough day- the terrain was much rougher underfoot and the constant downhill took its toll on our quadriceps and the soles of our feet.  We camped for the night at the free camp in Linville – toilets and hot showers (operated with $2 coin).  When choosing a campsite, be aware that the pub and the toilets both have bright lights on all night.  The Linville Hotel had live music on a Saturday night, but was quiet by 10pm.  Unfortunately the local roosters are not so time aware and went off at random times throughout the night. 

https://thelinvillehotel.com.au/free-camping/

We had dinner at The Linville Hotel – beef and mushroom stew with mash; salt and pepper calamari – generous serves and delicious.

https://thelinvillehotel.com.au/

https://www.queensland.com/au/en/places-to-see/destination-information/p-56b266352cbcbe7073adfd76-linville

Day 1 of 8 Brisbane Valley Rail Trail - Yarraman to Blackbutt

 Friday 2 June 2023 – Yarraman to Blackbutt

https://www.brisbanevalleyrailtrail.com.au/

https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/BVRT/Trail-map#onPageHeaderIdentifier2

Up early and away from the motel by 6:30 for a 7:00am pick up at the Wulkaraka trailhead of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.  While we knew which street this was on, there were pedestrian signs showing directions to the BVRT prior to the trailhead carpark that directed people into the parklands.  This caused some confusion and we phoned the gentleman from Out There Cycling who stood out on the road so that we could see where we had to drive further down the road to the trailhead carpark.  This is a new facility with plenty of off-street parking, security cameras and toilets.  It would however be useful to have a prominent sign pointing to where to turn in for those who are unfamiliar with it.

https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/bvrt/about-bvrt

We boarded the minibus and were driven to Yarraman, arriving about 9:30am. As a note for others – there are no toilets at the Yarraman trail head, so ask the driver to stop in town for a bathroom break if you would like one before you start walking, as the trail does not go back towards town.

https://www.outtherecycling.com.au/shuttle-bus-bvrt/

Todays walk was through lightly wooded rolling countryside, and as such had very little shade. While in the Toowoomba Regional Council area there are regular shade shelters, as well as a free camp area with toilets approximately half way to Blackbutt from Yarraman.  The surface of the track in this section was predominantly good, decomposed granite, and the terrain mostly gently uphill.

https://yarraman.org.au/

We have camped for the night at the Blackbutt showgrounds. These are immediately beside the rail trail and have hot showers and toilets.  It is a short walk from the showgrounds into town to the well stocked Spar supermarket, where we purchased supplies for the day 2 of the hike, the Bunya Nut Café where we had dinner. There is also a pub in town for those who prefer pub meals.

https://www.discoversouthburnett.com.au/towns/blackbutt/

https://blackbuttshowsociety.com.au/camping/

https://www.facebook.com/sparsupermarketblackbutt/

https://www.facebook.com/bunyanutcafe