Day 5 of 8 Brisbane Valley Rail Trail - Toogoolawah to Esk

 Tuesday 6 June 2023 – Toogoolawah to Esk

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

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

Today we travelled through undulating open farmland.  It was easy walking along the equivalent of a wide country road, but without the cars. Near the former Ottaba Station the trail is currently being resurfaced for several kilometres, and as such we were the first to cross some of the new sections.  When we reached Esk the trail travels through the town.  An excellent job has been done of making it very clear where the rail trail goes with green markings on the footpath in addition to the signs.  We are camping the night at Esk Caravan Park, and have enjoyed a long soak in the heated pool – bliss!  

https://www.eskcaravanpark.com.au/powered-unpowered-sites

https://www.queensland.com/au/en/places-to-see/destination-information/p-56b25d53d5f1565045d9fa83-esk

In town we shopped at the Esk IGA for dinner and supplies.  As we have access to a microwave in the camp kitchen of the caravan park we had a broad choice of dinner options.

https://www.iga.com.au/stores/iga-esk/

Day 4 of 8 Brisbane Valley Rail Trail - Harlin to Toogoolawah

 Monday 5 June 2023 – Harlin to Toogoolawah

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

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

Most of today’s track was like walking on a good country road; wide, firm and easy walking, through undulating open countryside.  

The Yimbun Tunnel is in very good condition and reflects well on the men who built this only tunnel on the Brisbane Valley Branch Line.  

https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/heritage-register/explorer/detail/?id=602637

At the former Yimbun Station hundreds of young trees have been planted and will provide a shady oasis in years to come.  From Yimbun Station to Toogoolawah it is open country and we faced into a head wind.  

The 14km section from Harlin to Toogoolawah would be approximately to the showgrounds.  Unfortunately the showgrounds were closed this week due to the annual show. Toogoolawah is a long town set out along the railway line., the town extending around 2km. The centre of town, where the free camp is, is more like 15km from Harlin. The rail trail through the town is concreted with LED lighting and is used as a thoroughfare for locals commuting, walking their dogs etc – wonderful to see it so well utilised.  We have camped for the night at the free camp adjacent to the old Toogoolawah Station.  There are toilets a short walking distance away, and drinking fountains on the rail trail.  We headed to the local IGA to stock up on supplies for dinner and tomorrow.  

https://www.iga.com.au/stores/iga-everyday-toogoolawah/

According to our internet research Toogoolawah Pool is open, the signs say entry via the gym, but the gym is only via a pass- no luck here.  We also had a look at the outside of The Condensary, it being closed today.

https://thecondensery.com.au/

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.