Peter Gordon email: petergo@netspace.net.au

Loop Around The Bunya Mountains (282 km)

Last Updated March 2004

Description

This ride starts in Yarraman and loops around the southern end of the Bunya Mountains, it then loops back on the northern end and passes through Kingaroy and Nanango. The southern crossing of the Great Divide is easy and the only method of determining the top is the sign giving the altitude. The northern return crossing is a little harder, but is not very difficult. The route described has 8 km of gravel road. This can be easily by-passed on an alternative route which is of approximately equal distance and is easier. Although, some of the route is on the Bunya and the New England highways, it is usually reasonably traffic free. The degree of difficulty depends on the daily distances travelled. There are no major climbs, and if Maclagan is used for camping, the daily distances can be short. By modifying the route, it can be ridden as a hard ride.

Towns Enroute

Yarraman
A mid sized town with most facilities except banks. It has a van park, motel and hotels for accommodation.
Cooyar
A small township with hotel and a small general store which sells takeaway food. Beside the shop is a covered rest area which has a rain water tank.
Maclagan
A small township with a very small general store. It also has a winery, (Rimfire Winery) which produces good wines. The winery has a cafe attached which sells snack food with a wine theme. Have you ever tasted Shiraz ice cream? In the township is a community hall. After having gained permission from the shop, I have camped behind it. There are rain water tanks, toilets and a covered picnic table. The lawn is well kept and it is a good camping site.
Quinlow
Quinlow consists of a few houses, a hotel and a general store which is often shut or closed down. Basic meals can be obtained from the hotel. Beside the store, is a caravan park which has been condemned. It is subject to flooding and has cold water showers. Free camping is permitted, on request from the owner who lives in an adjacent house. Quinlow is only three km from Maclagan. Personally, I prefer to camp at Maclagan and visit the winery.
Kaimkillenbun
Usually called The Bun. It is a small township with a very small general store, a hotel and a caravan park. The hotel serves meals by prior arrangement. The township is small and friendly.
Bell
A small town with a hotel, caravan park, good general store, butcher, and an coffee shop. Meals can be obtained from the general store. The caravan park has a covered electric barbecue and picnic table.
Kumbia
A small town with a hotel, general store and a community run camping area. The camping area has hot showers. The hotel serves meals.
Kingaroy
A large town with all facilities, including banks. It has at least three caravan parks. The show ground caravan park is the most convenient for access to the CBD, but is poorly run.
Nanango
A mid sized town with most facilities including banks. It has a caravan park. From a cycling viewpoint, it is good as it is small enough for traffic not to be a problem, but large enough to have most facilities.
Dalby
Dalby is approximately 9 km off the described route. However, it could easily be incorporated into the trip. It is a large town with all facilities including banks and a caravan park.

Scenery

The Palms National Park is on the route. It is a very small park with a short walk through Piccabean palm trees. The picnic area is attractive. From Yarraman to Cooyar, the main land use is beef cattle grazing. After the Dividing Range is crossed, grain growing becomes the predominant land use.

Getting There

By Bike: This can be ridden as a side trip off the route from Sydney to the north.
By Car: Yarraman is located on the Brisbane Valley Highway. It is approximately 3 hours drive from Brisbane.

Alternatives

The possibilities are almost endless. A suggested itinerary is to have overnight stops at Maclagan, Bell and Kingaroy. However, there are many other options, including visiting Dalby, camping in Kumbia and then riding up the Bunya Mountains, stopping at Nanango, etc. If the Bunya mountains are included. There are camping grounds in the National Park. It is advisable to book in advance. Private lodge style accommodation is available adjacent to the National Park. The climb from Kumbia up the mountain is difficult, but is the most accessible route for a bicycle.

Cue Sheet and Map

Cue Sheet
Map