Oh no! I misread the elevation chart on the Kilkivan Kingaroy Rail Trail! This made the already challenging ride between Kilkivan and Murgon more difficult than necessary.
If I had started at Murgon and ridden towards Kilkivan, there would have been an overall descent of 200 metres. Unfortunately, I started at Kilkivan.
History of the Kilkivan Kingaroy Rail Trail
The Kilkivan Kingaroy Rail Trail (KKRT) follows the corridor of a branch railway developed in stages between 1902 and 1904. The line was closed a little more than a century later in 2011, with the rail trail opening in 2017.
The Kilkivan Kingaroy Rail Trail can be divided into two.
The section between Kilkivan and Murgon is managed by the Gympie Regional Council and has minimal infrastructure.
The second section between Kingaroy and Murgon is managed by the South Burnett Regional Council and has more infrastructure, including a sealed surface and bridges. This section is also known as the South Burnett Rail Trail.
Kilkivan to Goomeri (28 km)
As we were driving towards Kilkivan from Barambah Caravan Park near Murgon, my husband Derek commented that we seemed to be going more down than up. I had to agree, but by now we were committed to my starting at Kilkivan. Also, I had blind faith in what I thought I had read on the elevation chart.
Derek took this photo as I headed out from Kilkivan on the Kilkivan Kingaroy Rail Trail.
A couple of kilometres out of town I came to the remains of this bridge.
Wide Bay Creek Crossing
Then, after a few more kilometres, I approached Wide Bay Creek. The railway bridge that used to cross this permanent creek has been dismantled, so at present, trail users have to wade across.
I’m happy to say that having purchased Organised Grime’s Guide to the Kilkivan Kingaroy Rail Trail, I was ready for this. I was wearing reef sandals, and had a spare pair of socks in my bag.
Nevertheless I was a bit surprised at how deep the creek was. Up to my thighs (and I am not short)!
First I took my bike bag across.
Then half floated and half carried the bike.
Update: A bridge across this creek was installed in 2021.
With this challenge out of the way, I continued on the Kilkivan Kingaroy Rail Trail until I arrived at Cinnabar Siding. It was a beautiful day, and the scenery was gorgeous.
Kinbombi Creek Bridge
After twelve kilometres on the Kilkivan Kingaroy Rail Trail, I encountered what remained of this amazing bridge at Kinbombi Creek.
The gully was steep.
Needless to say, I had to push my bike out of this one!
As I continued on the KKRT, I passed under a trestle bridge and arrived at Coleman Siding. I liked the long grass that bordered the trail,
but was relieved that it wasn’t snake season. I felt grateful that the Gympie Council was keeping the trail well mowed.
There were a couple more gullies to negotiate on the Kilkivan Kingaroy Rail Trail and then I arrived at Goomeri Station.
I found a much needed coffee and delicious lunch at the Centre Place Cafe. I was feeling very tired. As I was eating, I considered whether I should phone Derek and ask him to get me from Goomeri, rather than Murgon as originally planned.
However, feeling somewhat refreshed after the break, I decided to continue on.
Goomeri to Murgon (17 km)
I have to admit that I cannot really do justice to this second half of my ride on the Kilkivan Kingaroy Rail Trail.
I managed to take this photo of a creek crossing west of Goomeri before my phone died.
The battery in my GoPro camera also died, but I still had my satellite phone to ring Derek if I needed help.
The seat on my new bike was really not comfortable, and after over thirty kilometres of rough terrain, I had a very sore bottom. I had to stop and get off the seat for a break after each KKRT kilometre marker. The last twelve kilometres seemed to pass very slowly.
Echidna on the KKRT
But I am so glad I did it. I saw my fourth echidna in the wild! For those who are not familiar with these unusual creatures, here is a photo of an echidna that I took on the Bass Coast Rail Trail in Gippsland, Victoria.
Two kilometres out of Murgon, I phoned Derek and asked him to meet me near the Post Office. I was so glad to see him when I arrived in town!
I had cycled 44 kilometres and climbed 632 metres.
Here is a 30 second video of my highlights of the Kilkivan Kingaroy Rail Trail between Kilkivan and Goomeri:
A couple of days later I cycled the southern half of the Kilkivan Kingaroy Rail Trail, also known as the South Burnett Rail Trail. Other excellent rides in the area are the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, and the Nanango Stock Route.
If you would like the support of a guided tour to do this sometimes remote rail trail, have a look at the “Tour de Queensland Rail Trails” offered by Tour de Vines.
