Toogoolawah - BVRT
(February 2023)
Last month, we finally managed to take a trip to Toogoolawah which is located in the Brisbane Valley. We've been promising to go there for months and try riding on the BVRT. I have an electric hybrid bike and wasn't sure how that would go on the rougher terrain. I am used to riding on relatively easy paths. Fortunately, I didn't fall off although there were a few 'touch & go' moments where I skidded on the gravel. Perhaps I need some tougher, off-road tyres!
Normally, my blogs are about the things that do go wrong but this time I am pleased to say that everything went smoothly. We didn't even have to set up or pack up in the rain which is a rarity, no trips to the hardware store ..... We even had a power lead and water hose long enough to reach the outlets! That was a lesson learned previously.
We stayed five nights at the Toogoolawah showgrounds which had really spacious sites. The caretaker said to park anywhere that suits and they have a gate straight on to the rail trail at the back corner of the grounds. The amenities were good and most afternoons we got to see the parachutists landing while we had happy hour.
The first ride was from Toogoolawah to Harlin and back. It was pretty good - one huge hill which sucked my bike power! It was a hell of a lot easier on the return trip except the weather was sweltering!
We also rode from Toogoolawah to Esk and back which I really enjoyed - a lot cooler because of the shade trees as well as plenty of cows on the track. I made Steve go first in case they charged - I am such a country girl!
It was quite an emotional time for me being in this area as my family lived in Yarraman for a number of years in the late 50s and early 60s. In fact, I was born in Nanango and started school in Yarraman.
My dad, who passed away late last year, often told stories of his time in the railway during this time and talked about all the towns, eg. Toogoolawah, Moore, Harlin and even Ottaba. When I saw the Ottaba sign on the Esk track I could clearly remember him talking about this station. I wish I could have shown him some photos. A story from my childhood that was often laughed about was when my two older sisters and I went on the tourist motor from Yarraman to Toogoolawah with Dad, and my sisters locked me in the train toilet and I had to be rescued by some Nuns who were on the train.
Toogoolawah was much bigger than I expected with a couple of pubs as well as the Hav'A'Chat Cafe where we had a few coffees. They had an IGA, golf club and even a Mitre 10 store (which we did not need!). There is a community art space at Toogoolawah called the Condensery which is worth a visit - even if, like me, you are culturally challenged. I jokingly said it was where they used to make condensed milk and guess what? They did. It was the Nestle condensed milk factory packing facility. It's amazing what you learn!
There is also a bronze sttue of a red deer at the Condensery representing a gift of red deer from Queen Victoria in 1873. Again, our family had a story of a deer that dad talked about. Now I know it is probably true! (Sorry Dad!)
We checked out some of the other areas around Moore and Linville but will be waiting for the cooler months before we head off again. If you have any tips on riding in these areas, I'd love to hear them - please comment.
As lovers of country horse racing, our trip coincided with the Kilcoy Races. (Coincidence or not?) A fun day out and I won a trifecta! That was my only collect for the day though but pretty exciting!
