Cycle South East Queensland: Islands, Beaches & Rail Trails

Welcome to Brisbane, Queensland’s cosmopolitan capital and gateway to some of the best beaches and hinterlands in the state. Meet your fellow cyclists and guide at 9:30am for a brief group meeting then it’s time to saddle up and enjoy your first ride as you cycle the Brisbane River Loop which includes a combination of bikeways and on-road riding. Return to the city in the late afternoon with ample time to explore the local area. Why not go out for an evening meal and get to know the rest of your riding group better? Your local leader can suggest the best places to eat and drink in and around the city.

After an early breakfast, grab your bike and head to the train station for the 1 hour trip to Cleveland before boarding the ferry (approximately 30 minutes) to laidback Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island), the world’s second largest sand island. After the ferry take the bus up the undulating East Coast Road (pretty much the only paved road across the island) past endless eucalyptus trees before arriving at the untouched beaches that North Straddie is famous for. Grab your bikes and enjoy a ride along the mostly car-free dirt Claytons track to Amity Point on the northernmost tip of the island. Take the time to appreciate the rich and fascinating indigenous history of the island and the local Quandamooka people, dating back at least 21,000 years, on a one-hour cultural experience. Grab some refreshments and take in the stunning multihued sea views before returning by bus to Dunwich. Relax on the ferry back to the mainland then return to Brisbane where you’ll have a free evening to either unwind or further explore this beautiful city. (B)

Start early with a 2 hour drive north to Peregian Beach on the Sunshine Coast. Hit the patrolled beach, visit the community market, or grab a quick bite to eat in this friendly beachside village. Then it’s time to ride north along the Surf Beaches Trail, an off-road coastal pathway that follows the Pacific through laidback seaside towns towards Noosa Heads National Park. From here, take the flat Noosa River Trail with its mix of on- and off-road riding as you follow the river inland before joining the North Shore Wilderness Trail. Take the punt across the river and ride the flat and quiet road through the Great Sandy National Park to Noosa’s North Shore beach. This serene yet stunning beach is the perfect place to relax before riding back to Noosa, your home for the night. (B)

After breakfast, take a scenic drive into the hinterland, stopping along the way for spectacular views of the Glass House Mountains. From here, continue inland to the tiny country town of Yarraman, the start point for your next 2 days’ riding along the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail which is currently the longest rail trail in Australia. Enjoy the lack of traffic as the only sounds you’ll hear are bellbird calls and your tyres crunching on the gravel. Along the way, stop at the historic Benarkin culvert before the trail emerges from the forest to allow great views of the Brisbane River Valley, descending through red soil and open country to the tiny rural town of Linville and it’s atmospheric pub which has been serving beer since 1904. What better place to relax after a good day’s ride? (B)

Your last day of cycling sees you leave sleepy Linville behind and head south back along the Brisbane River Rail Trail, cycling through farming land and the small town of Moore and on to Harlin. Stop for refreshments in town then head further south, riding through the only railway tunnel on the Brisbane Valley line, the 100 metre-long heritage-listed Yimbun Railway Tunnel, before you cruise into Toogoolawah where your cycling concludes. From here it is a short drive back to Brisbane, where your South East Queensland cycling adventure finishes on arrival. (B)