BVRT – Harlin to Yimbin Tunnel & Return
Description: The Brisbane Valley Rail Line was built from Wulkuraka to Yarraman between 1884 and 1913 to service this productive area of Queensland. The last train ran in 1991. With the removal of the lines, sleepers and bridges, the rail trail was created and made available to recreational users with the final section opening for this purpose in 2018.
As well as providing great rural scenery, the Harlin to Yimbin section highlights rural and secondary industries in the area as well as the opportunity to walk through Yimbin Tunnel, the only tunnel on the line. We’ll enjoy a rest stop for morning tea at the southern end of the tunnel.
We’ll then proceed about another kilometre along the trail to the site of the Milk Train Disaster where an information board provides details of the event. We return to Harlin the way we came for a total distance of about 12km. We’ll pull up a log somewhere beside the trail on the way back for lunch.
Apart from one hill where the trail departs from the original rail-bed, the trail is quite flat with gentle slopes and a good walking surface.
Please do not attend this activity if you are feeling unwell.
Walk Grading: Green (Easy) with a total distance of approx. 12km.
Meet: Tom Street, Harlin between the service station and the hotel at 9.00am.
What to Bring: Hat, sunscreen, light jacket, rain gear (just in case), torch, whistle, 2+ litres of water, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, positive outlook, $5.00 NPAQ Fee
Directions: From Brisbane South –Ipswich Motorway to Warrego Highway to Blacksoil. Turn onto the Brisbane Valley Highway towards Fernvale/Esk/Toogoolawah as you leave Blacksoil. Harlin as about 15 km past Toogoolawah along the highway.
From Brisbane North – Bruce Highway north, turning onto the Daguilar Highway at Caboolture towards Woodford. Travel through Woodford and Kilcoy turning left about 22km west from Kilcoy (just after crossing the Brisbane River) onto the Brisbane Valley Highway. Harlin is about 4km along the BV Highway.
Allow about 2 hours for journey either way.
Nominations: NPAQ Website.
Leader: Frank Freeman (or Fax 07 3824 3954; Mobile: 0427 655 514 Email: frank_fr@bigpond.net.au
Activity Report
BVRT Harlin Yimbin Walk
Date: Saturday, 17 August, 2024
Ensuring water bottles were full, the intrepid adventurers left Harlin on an unexpectedly warm winter’s day. The heat was soon forgotten at the top of the first (and only) hill, where the walkers paused to fully absorb the rural scenes stretching to the horizon. The only scar on this idyll was the gravel quarry from which the rock and soil are extracted to build roads and foundations for buildings.
Moving on, the walkers enjoyed the ever-changing scenery, the peace and quiet interrupted only by passing vehicles and cyclists. It was not long before the tunnel could be seen on the trail that stretched before them.
The concrete-lined tunnel was built on 1912 and is the only tunnel on the 162km rail trail. Ash from the passing steam engines can still be seen on the inside surfaces.
A new shelter at the southern end of the tunnel was a welcomed arbour to enjoy morning tea and rest the legs.
Ever onwards the walkers moved further south to the “Milk Train Bridge”. Special “milk” trains collected milk from surrounding dairies and transported it to the “condensery” in Toogoolawah where condensed milk was made from 1898. One day, the engine pulling the milk train broke down. A following goods train ran into the stalled train. From this incident, the locals began referring to the bridge as the Milk Train Bridge.
After soaking in the history of the bridge, the walkers retraced their step to Harlin, stopping at the shelter for lunch, singing a round to the tune of “Frere Jaques” as they walked through the Tunnel and generally enjoying the everchanging views and each other’s company.
As the hotel was closed, a few enjoyed coffee at the service station before driving home.
