The Nanango Stock Route is a great way to extend your ride on the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail north from Yarraman.
I knew about the Nanango Stock Route, but did not feel confident attempting it on my own. When I met Paul on the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail between Linville and Toogoolawah, he kindly offered to show me the way.
Origins of the Nanango Stock Route
The town of Nanango was connected to the South Burnett Railway in 1911. Unfortunately, this railway system went to Brisbane the long way round via Kingaroy and Maryborough.
After the Brisbane Valley Railway was extended to Yarraman in 1913, farmers found it cheaper to walk cattle destined for the Brisbane Meatworks to Yarraman along the Nanango Stock Route than to use the South Burnett Railway from Nanango.
Although Nanango and Yarraman were only 25 kilometres apart, and despite initial approval, the railway between these towns never came to fruition.
The practice of using the Nanango Stock Route continued into the 1950’s when better roads led to the decline of the railway.
Yarraman to Din Din Creek (10 km)
I met Paul at the Farmhouse Coffee Lounge in Yarraman.
Yarraman’s elevation is 100 metres more than Nanango’s. By starting at Yarraman, we were following the Uncool Cycling Club’s motto of “Why go up when you can go down?” Paul is a very strong rider, so this was entirely for my benefit.
We rode for a kilometre down towards Yarraman Station Park and then onto the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail (BVRT).
We followed the BVRT for a couple of kilometres and then turned onto Noora Road. Soon we arrived at Din Din Road, which is the official southern end of the Nanango Stock Route. There is an interpretive sign there with information about the origins of the route.
Din Din Road was quite well formed for the first few kilometres and then became rougher.
After ten kilometres we came to Din Din Creek. We decided to take a detour to see a couple of scenic waterholes.
The Eastern Waterhole
Turning downstream, we took a track for a hundred metres or so to the east, parked our bikes against a dead log, and walked in to see this beautiful waterhole.
With this permanent water about halfway along, I could easily imagine that this would have been a good stock route.
Din Din Waterhole
We jumped on our bikes again, re-joined the Nanango Stock Route briefly and crossed Din Din Creek.
Turning west, we followed the creek upstream for 400 metres. When we came to a gate, we parked our bikes again.
Rock-hopping and scrambling, we made our way a further 400 metres upstream. Soon we were at Din Din Waterhole (waterfall when wet).
Photo by Paul Garlick
Nobody knows how deep this pool is. When there is a lot of rain, large volumes of water come pouring over the waterfall.
Din Din Creek to Nanango (15 km)
We rejoined the Nanango Stock Route and continued north. In places there were deep ruts in the track, indicating that it could be muddy when wet.
As we moved away from the creek, the track became smoother.
Paul said he had seen feral red deer in this area early in the morning and towards evening.
A little over four kilometres north of Din Din Creek, we crossed a grid that marked the northern end of the Nanango Stock Route.
An interpretive sign welcomed those who were arriving from the north.
Paul explained that we could follow Old Yarraman Road directly down to Nanango, or we could take a scenic detour through the South Nanango State Forest. Of course we took the scenic path.
As we pedalled on, Paul pointed out various places of interest, such as an area where a pair of Powerful Owls had their nest.
Before long, our detour brought us out onto the Old Yarraman Road, which we followed into town. By chance, our route finished at the site of the old Nanango Station.
It seemed ironic that in place of the railway station, which once would have been the centre of the town’s activity, there was now a toilet block.
Ringsfield House
We adjourned to the cafe at Ringsfield House for a delicious lunch and coffee.
After lunch, my husband Derek kindly came to get me, while Paul returned to Yarraman by bike with a local group of riders.
Summary
We had cycled 28 kilometres from Yarraman to Nanango along the Nanango Stock Route. Despite the overall descent, we had still climbed 368 metres. Having said that, most of the gradients were quite moderate and I don’t remember pushing my bike up more than one or two hills.
Without the detours to the two waterholes, it would have been around 25 kilometres with a little less climbing.
A big thank you to Paul for taking the time out on a Saturday morning to show this Uncool cyclist the way. I would thoroughly recommend the Nanango Stock Route to any intermediate rider who is comfortable with climbing.
Another great adventure trail in the area is the Kilkivan Kingaroy Rail Trail.
