I travelled alone and stayed in caravan (trailer) parks each night. I carried a tent, stove etc and bought food as required along the route. My minimum daily distance was 64 km and my maximum daily distance was 110 km with an average of 85 km per day. Thus, with a little planning, the perceived dangers of riding non coastal routes are largely unfounded. Because the towns are small, I didn't even feel the need to secure my bike each night. When I reached the coast at Rockhampton, I locked by bike whenever it was unattended, and generally paid attention to security of my belongings.
After leaving Brisbane, Highway Route 17 was followed throughout. It is well marked, and any road map is sufficient for navigation. It is all sealed. It has been engineered for trucks, thus the gradients are not steep and are suitable for bikes. I was reasonably heavily loaded with spare parts, food etc but didn't use my lowest gear. On the first two days, the traffic is moderate. After this, the traffic was usually light. During my trip, I had a strong westerly (side) wind for the first 5 days and then a strong southerly (tail) wind for the remainder. Daily minimum temps were about 5 C (41 C) and maximums were about 23 C (73 F). The condition of the road is variable. In some sections, it has good shoulders and a smooth surface. In others, there are no shoulders and the surface is bumpy. Sections of the road are being upgraded, so any detailed report would quickly become out of date. Suffice to say, I found all of it acceptable for touring bike travel. Most of it is a surface formed of crushed rock and tar, with some hot mix near the major towns. The rock/tar surface has a reasonably high rolling resistance.
I caught a train from Brisbane to Ipswich, which is approx 30 km west of Brisbane. To navigate out of Ipswich, turn left at the railway station entrance, then the first left into Brisbane St, then the first left into East St. After this follow the TOOWOOMBA/ESK signs. When you find the Esk turnoff from the Toowoomba road, you are now on Highway 17.
The road is undulating but is generally easy riding. Food and water can be obtained at Fernvale (25 km). In Esk, the van park is on the right before the shopping centre. It is well run and within easy walking distance of the shops. Esk is a small to mid sized town with most facilities except banks. It has hotels, a good general store, a butcher, a baker etc.From Esk, the road is undulating until Moore (46 km). After this the dividing range has to be climbed. The first 10 km is a gentle climb. Between 54.7 and 57.7 km is consistent climbing up the major part of the range. After this, there are many short hills in the steady climb to Yarraman. Water and food are available at Toogoolawah (17 km), Harlin (32 km), Colinton (40 km), Moore (46 km), Benarkin (63 km), and Blackbutt (68 km). The store at Harlin was the only place which charged me to fill my water bottle. I suggest stops at Moore and Blackbutt. Moore has a park with toilets and a rain water tank, but no shop or hotel. Blackbutt is a small to mid sized town, and is a convenient resting point during the climb. Blackbutt has a caravan park behind the motel. The caravan park in Yarraman is located on top of a hill on the western side of the town after the shops. Ensure that all supplies for the night are obtained before climbing the hill. The park is well appointed.
The road is gently undulating with a low range/hills between 57 and 71 km. Food and water can be obtained at Nanango (23 km). Nanango is a mid sized town with most facilities including banks. The caravan park approx 2 km before the Nanango shops is excellent. The park in the town caters only for large groups and has to be booked in advance.
Goomeri is a small to mid sized town. It has a good general store, butcher shop, hotel etc. The caravan park is behind a roadhouse on the road before the shops. It is small and very basic. However, it is clean and cheap and the shower water is hot. ($3 for a tent site)
The route is generally undulating, however there is a climb between 15 and 20 km onto the Binjour Plateau. There is a small general store at Binjour (25 km) and a mid sized town at Mundubbera (47 km). Mundubbera has most facilities including a caravan park and banks. The tent sites in the van park are very exposed and I suggest that the park be avoided by campers. After Mundubbera, there is a long hill and then the topography is slightly undulating. With the exceptions of climbs which have been noted, this is the main type of topography encountered until the coastal range is re-crossed. It usually consists of about 5 km of gentle descent, followed by a few kilometres of flat and then about 5 km of a gentle climb onto the next minor ridge. Eidsvold is a small town. It has a hotel, a good general store, a butcher shop, and take away shops. The van park is small and friendly and is well appointed. It does not have cabins, but may have hire-vans. One of the shops advertised accommodation.
The route is undulating to flat. At 11 km, there is a roadside reserve with drinking water and toilets. Camping is allowed. At 62 km, Mulgildie is encountered. It has a small general store and a hotel. The general store sells takeaway food. Monto is a mid sized town. It has most facilities including banks. This is the only town enroute where the banks do not have electronic tellers. The van park is about 1.5 km along the Biloela road. It is well appointed.
There is a hill just out of Monto and then flats for the next 13 km. After this, the Coominglah range extends to 23 km. It consists of three climbs with short descents between the climbs. After this the route is undulating to Lawgi (65 km). Lawgi has a rest area with drinking water and toilets. There are no houses or shops. After Lawgi, the road descends onto a plain which continues to Biloela. Thangool is encountered at 83 km. It has a hotel and a takeaway shop in the Service Station. Biloela is a large town / small city. It has all facilities including a bike shop, in Washpool St, and a Woolworths store. There are at least three caravan parks. The Boomerang Caravan Park, is nearest the shops and is the most convenient for bike tourists. It is small and the tent sites are without any shade. The other parks may be better appointed and cater better for bike tourists.
The hardest day was day 2 as it involved hills/climbing at the end of the day. This could be reduced by adding a day to the trip and staying at Blackbutt and Nanango and skipping Yarraman. The caravan park at Nanango is excellent.