Details

Date: 18 Sep 2022
Where: Clock Park
Type: Daywalk

BVRT Coominya to Lowood 2022

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.

The original line from Coominya to Lowood opened to trains in 1886. It re-opened as a rail trail on 15 September 2008.

This 12km section of the rail trail passes through rural communities, cattle being the main industry. Most of the original vegetation has been cleared for pasture allowing excellent views of the countryside. A feature of the trail is a new bridge (opened about 3-4 years ago) over Lockyer Creek, a deep, steep-sided watercourse. The adventurous might like to walk to the bottom of the creek to view the bridge from the creek bed.

The rail trail has easy gradients except for a few gullies where bridges have been removed. These inclines can be sharp but short. It is also quite open so sun protection (clothing, hat and sunscreen) are vital.

We’ll meet at Clock Park, Railway St, Lowood and arrange a car shuttle to transport walkers to Coominya, leaving at least one vehicle in Lowood to transport drivers back to Coominya to collect the vehicles.

This activity will be conducted in keeping with the Queensland Government’s Covid-19 directions at the time of the activity. Please do not attend this activity if you have been feeling unwell with Covid-19 related symptoms in the 7 day period before this activity.

Please register for this activity via the NPAQ website completing all fields.

 Walk Grading: Easy but a 12km walk so a moderate level of fitness is required. Surface generally solid with some grassy, stony and sandy sections.

Meet: 8.15am at Clock Park, Railway St, Lowood

What to Bring: Hat, light jacket, rain gear (just in case), torch, hand sanitizer, whistle, 2+ litres of water, morning tea, lunch, positive outlook, $5.00 NPAQ Fee

Directions: From Brisbane, head out along the Ipswich Motorway then onto the Warrego Highway towards Toowoomba. Leaving Blacksoil, (keep to the speed limit; radar common in Blacksoil), take the exit onto the Brisbane Valley Highway towards Fernvale/Esk. Turn left as you leave Fernvale to Lowood. Allow 1 ½  to 2 hours.  Carpooling is encouraged.

Nominations: NPAQ Website

Leader: Frank Freeman ( or Fax 07 3824 3954; Mobile: 0427 655 514 Email: frank_fr@bigpond.net.au

Activity Report

After a car-shuttle from Lowood, the seven walkers were keen to get on the trail to avoid the 28-degree heat forecast for later in the day. After only a couple of kilometres, a keen-eyed walker spotted a koala sleeping in the fork of a tree beside the track. A second koala looked sleepily at the group from a nearby branch.

Moving on, enjoying the views and the clean, fresh air, the group paused at Lockyer Creek for morning tea and to inspect the recently refurbished bridge over the steep-sided creek although the original arch has been removed from the structure. Further on, valves and sumps were indications that part of the recycled water network for SE Queensland was laid along this section of the railway reserve.

Cattle properties dominated the industry in the area including a number of dairies. Recent rains provided good feed for the animals as well as full dams of water for irrigation and the stock to drink. Birds were common around the dams and in the skies.

After about 9k’s, a shady tree, under which were sections of tree trunks for stools, provided welcome relief from the hot sun and the opportunity to enjoy lunch in comfort. A number of similar rest areas along the way had been noted but most were in the direct sunlight at this time of the day. To overcome this, native trees have been planted along the trail, but these will take a few years to provide shade.

The rest of the walk into Lowood was a green revolution. Community groups have laboured in recent years to re-vegetate the track easement. An area about 2kilometres from Lowood was in full bloom, the spectacle re-invigorating the weary walkers for the reminder of the trek into Lowood. Here, coffee and food from the bakery restored energy levels for the drive home.