The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail is one of three new regional recreation trails in south east Queensland. The Department of Local Government and Planning is overseeing the development, management and maintenance of the trail in partnership with Ipswich City, South Burnett and Somerset Regional councils.

Wulkuraka to Yarraman

Another 7.5km of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail is now open! The section is south of Yarraman to Harland Park at Cooyar Creek (old Pidna rail station site). This expands on the 8km that was opened from Blackbutt to Gilla on 10 September. The new section of the BVRT was officially opened by Cr Peter Taylor, Mayor Toowoomba Regional Council at Heritage House Yarraman on Saturday, October 8.

For the full scoop view a PDF of the release..

The next section to re-open will be the Wanora - Fernvale and Lowood - Coominya Sections with final repairs on the trail currently underway.

Blackbutt Festival

The annual Bloomin' Beautiful Blackbutt Festival runs from 3 to 11 September with art, country markets, a full program of entertainment and activities for the kids. It also incorporates the Brisbane Valley Rail Expo on 10 - 11 September. Click for a brochure with all the details.

Come along and join us!

Hendra virus information for trail users

Attention trailgoers, here is some important information from Queensland Health relating to Hendra virus. The Queensland Government is managing Hendra virus through Biosecurity Queensland, a division of the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation.

Please read the following release for all the information.

900 people run newly restored BVRT trail in funrun

100km of the BVRT was closed after the devastating floods in January. After much hard work by the local community and the Somerset Regional and South Burnett Regional Councils nearly 40km is now open for the public to use.

897 runners entered the Rail Trail Fun Run on Sunday July 10th with over 1,000 celebrating the reopening of the 8.5km of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail between Fernvale and Lowood.

The next section to be opened will be the Esk to Toogoolawah section on July 30th, ready for visitors heading to the region for the Esk Multicultural Festival at the Esk Station Grounds, on the BVRT at Pipeliner Park.

More good news is that three community groups will share more than $12,000 in grants for projects associated with the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.

For more information please read the media release from Wayne Wendt, MP Member for Ipswich West and Chair of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Steering Committee.

Calling all bird fanciers to the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail!

Bloomin' Beautiful Blackbutt Festival, September 3rd to 11th, 2011

Renowned photographer Valdamay Jones from Birds Queensland will host a bird walk during the Bloomin' Beautiful Blackbutt Festival on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 September.

Learn about the habitat and habits of the many birds of the region and the Blackbutt region. Thrill to the sounds and sights of the birdlife while strolling with friends along one of Australia's most celebrated rail trails.

Where: Meet at Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Station

When: 4:00pm Saturday 10th and Saturday 11th of September

What: Bird Walk with Valdamay Jones from Birds Queensland

Gold coin donation to Birds Queensland and includes free brochure with information on the birds living in the Blackbutt region. For further information contact Suzie on (07) 4170 0357 or visit the Bloomin' Beautiful Blackbutt Festival website.

Working bee #2! Everyone invited to give us a hand

Come lend us a helping hand at Yarraman on Friday, 11th of March

Toowoomba Regional Council will be providing support for the volunteer efforts on the day with muster at 9am at the Yarraman Trail Head.

The working bee will focus on clearing of the Yarraman trailhead and old station grounds, repairs to the Yarraman Weir Walk and trails linking to the BVRT.

Extending the BVRT to Yarraman will ensure the local community will reap the rewards of this valuable community asset and tourist attraction.

Lunch will be provided at the Yarraman Heritage Centre for all the volunteers who will help restore damages to the trail as a result of the January flooding.

Everyone is welcome to attend, but we please ask that you send an email to kirsten.stewart@dip.qld.gov.au so we know how many sandwiches to make.

When: Friday 11 March 2011

Where: Brisbane Valley Rail Trail/Yarraman Weir Walk Trailhead - Millar Street

Time: 9:00am - Midday

What: Trail working bee

Bring: Walking shoes, hat, sunscreen, gloves, rake, shovel, drinking water and as many helpers as you can find!

Lunch will be followed by an information session presented by the Department of Local Government and Planning regarding the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail and the opportunities the trail will provide the local Yarraman community.

A big thank you to the Toowoomba Regional Council and the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Steering Committee for their support of this community recovery event.

Working bee and tree planting, Moore to Linville section of the BVRT

You are invited to join us for the first working bee on the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail between Linville and Moore

The task at hand is to restore, repair and re-open essential sections of the trail for use by the local community and visitors to the region. The first section is the Linville to Moore that runs adjacent to the Brisbane River in the upper reaches of the Brisbane Valley. There is some erosion control, debris clearing and tree planting jobs that need doing to get the trail back in tip top shape. It is also an opportunity to thank those who have been working tirelessly in our BVRT community in recent weeks.

The day starts with a free sausage sizzle breakfast for everyone at 7:00am at the Linville Train Station. We then head south towards Moore along the trail from 8:00am, working as we go!

Refreshments will be provided on the trail at Boundary Creek where we will plant over 200 seedlings and trees to stop further erosion at the creek crossing. Lunch will be provided at the Moore Memorial Hall for all the volunteers who will help bring the trail back to life.

Everyone is welcome to attend, but we please ask that you send an email to Kirsten Stewart so we know how many sandwiches to make!

When: Friday February 18th, 2011

Where: Brisbane Valley Rail Trail - Linville Train Station - Moore Memorial Hall

Time: 7:00am at Linville Train Station for Sausage Sizzle Breakfast

What: Trail working bee

Bring: Walking shoes, hat, sunscreen, gloves, rake, shovel, drinking water and as many helpers as you can find!

A big thank you to Bushcare Services, the Blackbutt and Benarkin Community Council and the Ambassadors of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail for their support of this community recovery event.

The Trail is in repair after recent flooding in the Brisbane Valley

Unfortunately, recent rain in the Brisbane Valley has caused some damage to creek crossings along the trail in between Coominya and Esk and at Gallanini Creek north of Esk. The Somerset Regional Council and on ground crews will be working to repair these sections of the trail over the next few weeks.

The trail is still open, but please be aware that some creek crossings may be in disrepair.

BVRT Wins an award!

Above: The award accepted on behalf of Wayne Wendt, MP Member for Ipswich West. Above right: Wayne Wendt and Donna Little, Queensland Outdoor Recreation Federation.

On Friday night, the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail won the Queensland Outdoor Recreation Federations's Government Achievement Award. The award acknowledged the outstanding partnership between the Queensland Government, Ipswich City, Somerset and South Burnett Regional Councils to deliver the 148km rail trail.

Planning has commenced on the delivery of the trail from Toogoolawah to Moore with construction of the final 30km commencing in the second half of 2011 and will then provide a continuous trail for hiking, biking and horse riding from Wulkaraka to Blackbutt.

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