Brisbane Valley Rail Trail #2 Traditional Cache
Brisbane Valley Rail Trail #2
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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The cache is located on a well graded old railway trail in south east Queensland near the township of Linville. It is an easy to find cache and you will not be hindered by muggles in this remote location.
The cache is ammo box filled with many swaps, a log and pens. The FTF will be rewarded.
You can walk, cycle or horse ride the Blackbutt Range Track Rail Trail, which travels 23 km along the former railway line to Blackbutt, crossing the rugged and picturesque Blackbutt Range. There is now and extension to the trail further west to the Nukku Bridge and in the near future as far as Yarraman.
Access to the trail has now been made easier by the installation of access gates for users. There are gates to stop 4WD vehicles and trail bikes using the trail.
Please ensure you take your rubbish home and CITO.
Rail Trail History
In 1989 sadly the last rail motor service ran and the Brisbane Valley Line closed permanently. The Rail Trail through the Brisbane Valley was designed to provide supplies to the developing settlements of small farmers in the valley, and to transport milk products, timber and stock to Brisbane markets. For reasons that seem insufficient today, the Brisbane Valley Rail Line and the Blackbutt extension finished with a terminus at Yarraman rather than joining the line at Nanango.
The Brisbane Valley is one of Queensland’s major rail trails. A total of 148km of trail between Ipswich and Blackbutt is being developed. The trail follows the former Brisbane Valley railway line, which ran north from Ipswich 157km to Yarraman. The railway was built in stages reaching Esk in 1886 and Yarraman in 1913. In September 1908 the rail line to Linville commenced. At one time, Linville station was the largest loading point for cattle in south east Queensland. A mirco-cache is hidden here.
The last regular Ipswich to Yarraman steam train ran on the 29 November 1969. Passenger services operated until 1967 but freight services continued until the line's closure. The railway line closed in stages between 1988 and 1993.
Linville to Benarkin (18km)
From Linville the trail climbs the rugged and picturesque Blackbutt Range.
For bike riders, at present this section is only suitable for bikes with thick walled tyres, such as mountain bikes. Front suspension and gloves are recommended due to the rough surface.
The trail starts in the small town of Linville. The Linville Pioneer, Charity and Sporting club have restored the station and obtained some old carriages. They plan to restore the carriages for the use of future rail trail users.
From Linville the trail climbs around 300 metres in elevation to Benarkin however the grades on the railway alignment are relatively easy. From the station, the trail heads out through grazing land. The surface is gravely and rocky for most of the journey with predominantly grass trees and many cuttings through the rock. The old bridges have been removed but a trail is cut through each gully below each bridge site. These are a bit steep, but can be ridden or walked. There are several gates along the way that need to be left as you find them for stock control. In a few places there may be cattle grazing on the trail.
Closer to the small village of Benarkin, which has a small general stall, the flora changes into eucalypt and scrub. Benarkin sits at the highest point of the rail trail.
Distances are marked along the trail every 2km.
Benarkin to Blackbutt (5km)
From Benarkin the trail has a smoother surface and can be ridden comfortably by hybrid bikes.
At Backbutt the trail ends at the showground. Blackbutt is the largest town on this section of the trail and offers bakeries and cafes.
The trail would be great for the family bicycle ride. A downhill ride from Blackbutt is obviously easier going. A family should allow 2 hours in this direction and double heading up. If doing a return trip, starting at Linville is recommended. If walking allow a traveling speed of 4 km/hr.
There is accommodation in Blackbutt (try the old country style pub) or the pub in Linville at the end of a downhill walk. If you are walking the other way it’s worth dropping into the wood-fired bakery at Blackbutt for a well earned meat pie.
Enjoy the trail and the cache hunt.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
ehfgl
Treasures
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