Last Updated June 2001
Crows Nest is an enjoyable 45 km ride from Toowoomba. The approach to Hampton is very scenic. The last Sunday of each month is market day at Cabarlah and should be avioded because of heavy traffic. Food and water can be obtained at Cabarlah and Hampton.
Crows Nest is a hard but enjoyable and sceinic 60 km ride from Esk. After an undulating ride out of Esk, the range is encountered and continues for approximately 7 km. After this it is undulating to hilly. Water can be obtained at Ravensbourne. Food and water can be obtained at Hampton.
Crows Nest is a small to mid sized town. It has a caravan park, motel, hotel, good general store, butcher, bakery and takeaway food shops. There is a small bike shop which is run in conjunction with the local car service station.
It is also a good base for day rides. The caravan park has free maps of sceinic drives which are suitable for bike touring. Also, they have a bike and walking touring map. The New England Highway usually carries only light traffic and the other roads have very light traffic. Be prepared for many hills.
There is a camping area in The Valley Of Diamonds National Park about 6 km from Crows Nest. The climb back to Crows Nest is hard. Also, there is an excellent camping area on the bank of Cressbrook Dam. It is a 4 km climb from Cressbrook Dam back to the Mt Jockey Rd. Mt Jockey Rd is hilly and contains steeper grades than those encountered on the climb out from the dam.
The road to Kaimkillenbun is undulating. Kaimkillenbun is a township with a small caravan park, a small general store and a hotel. The store sells mainly soft drinks, biscuits, milk and a few other grocery lines, but is limited. The hotel may serve meals by arrangement. (On a group ride, we had an excellent evening meal at the hotel.)
Kaimkillenbun is on the Dalby plain which is a wheat and cotton growing area. The ride is flat from here until about 5 km north of Jondaryan when it becomes undulating and then hilly. Follow the Irvingdale and then Bowenville, then Nowrin signs until the turn towards Jondaryn. Irvingdale is a locality only. There is a hall, but no houses or shops or water points. Bowenville has a hotel. It does not serve counter meals. Water can be obtained in Bowenville. The Jondaryan woolshed is four km from Jondaryan. It is a museum for shearing and steam equipment. It has a basic camping area. There are hot showers and a covered area where food can be prepared. Jondaryan has a hotel and small general store. The hotel sells counter meals on some nights, but it is advisable to check.
From Jondaryan, turn right towards Toowoomba and then follow the Quinlow, Acland, Goombungee signs. There is a small general store at Acland. Goombungee is the centre of the Rosalie shire and is a mid sized town. It does not have a caravan park, but has a showground. Camping would be possible there, after seeking permission from the Shire office.
Crows Nest has cultivation, cattle grazing and forests. After this grain growing is the major land use until Acland.
The route described does not have any good grocery outlets. From Quinlow, the road to Dalby is well signed. Dalby could be used as an overnight stop. It is a mid-sized town with most facilities including banks and a caravan park. After leaving Dalby, ride the Cecil Plains road to Tipton and then re-join the route across to Jondaryan.