BIRDWATCHING -2021- Brisbane Valley Rail Trail – 23rd May 2021

All 13 NPAQ members enjoyed a beautiful cool morning walking along the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. 25 birds were sighted and most birds were high in the treetops. The walk was easy following the rail line gradient but our main obstacles were the numerous pushbikes. Following our walk of two hours, some people then followed the road map leading to Kholo Gardens. Others drivers followed the leader who took a ten-kilometer detour to see the surrounding countryside. Morning tea and lunch were enjoyed followed by a walk around the gardens. While viewing the Brisbane River a pristine sea eagle glided overhead.  This was a pleasant day, enjoyed by all.

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Please register for this activity via the NPAQ website completing all fields or contact the leader who will do the electronic registration for you

Our walk is along what was the old Brisbane Valley Railway Line just west of Ipswich. It is located at Pine Mountain. The walk will begin from the junction of Desbrow Street & the Pine Mountain Quarry Road, (UBD 191 Q11).

This area is easy walking, a variety of bush birds can be seen depending on the season. We may be lucky to see Speckled Warblers. There are no toilet facilities at this park.

DIRECTIONS: – From Brisbane follow Ipswich Rd and exit left to the Warrego Highway (M2) towards Toowoomba (UBD 215 G 7).

15.2 klms towards Toowoomba exit left onto the Brisbane Valley Highway (A17) at Blacksoil (UBD 191 P18).

A bridge crosses over the Highway, travel north 500m and turn right at the first set of traffic lights into Bailey Road (UBD 191 N17).

260m take the third exit at the roundabout into Bailey Rd (191 P16).

170m turn left into Velvet Street (191 P16).

1.3 klms to Tee intersection (UBD 191 Q11), turn right into Desbrow Street which becomes Pine Mountain Quarry Road.

190m pull up on the roadside before the white house on left (191 Q11).

-27.558579, 152.704532   27°33’30.9″S 152°42’16.3″E

A walking track leads to the right down to the rail trail.

Morning Tea: – After our walk, we will drive to the beautiful Kholo Botanical Gardens.

Directions: – Drive north 1.8 klms along Pine Mountains Quarry Road to a Tee intersection and turn right (191 R4).

650 m turn right into Pine Mountains Road (192 B4).

2.8 klms turn left into Sherlocks Road (192 D11).

4.9 klms at Tee intersection turn right into Riverside Drive (192 L8).

1.5 klms turn left into the well-signposted, Kholo Botanical Gardens (192 N13).

-27.565100, 152.737961   27°33’54.4″S 152°44’16.7″E

The Gardens have toilets and picnic tables.

Bring: Hat, sunglasses, sunburn cream, personal first aid kit, water, enclosed shoes, binoculars, camera, chair, insect repellent, soap, hand sanitizer, face mask, morning tea, lunch, and any other necessary personal items.

Please do not attend this activity if you are feeling unwell on the day, or may have had contact with COVID-19 in the 21 days prior to the activity.