M2BRT is a series by a local group of geocachers that will eventually see caches span the entire length of the Maryborough to Hervey Bay Rail Trail. (M2BRT)
The M2BRT-IP caches cover the southern section from the Maryborough Cemetery (Walker Street) to Quarry Road in Aldershot. Aside from the Trailhead, this is #7 in the series.
The Mary to Bay Rail Trail started life as the Pialba Branch Rail line in 1896 which was extended to Urangan in 1913 and further extended to the end of the Urangan Pier in 1917 - the year that the pier opened. Unfortunately the rail line was closed in 1993.
Some years later the Fraser Coast Regional Council started developing a Mobility Corridor on the urban section of the line. In 2016 a rural section was developed from Piggford Lane to Stockyard Creek (Walligan).
In 2021 the Fraser Coast Bicycle User group was granted a licence to develop the section from Takura to Churchill Mine Road, which opened in August 2023.
Once completed the Mary to Bay Rail Trail will cover a distance of some 48 kilometres.
The Trail offers the local community and visitors to the Fraser Coast the special opportunity to walk, run, cycle through two distinct sections - the urban area of Hervey Bay as well as the rural section through beautiful forest areas between Nikenbah and Maryborough.
PLEASE NOTE: The Mary to Bay Rail Trail is a "non motorised trail"- walkers, runners, pushbikes (including STREET LEGAL ebikes) and horses only.
Portions of the Mary to Bay Rail Trail that already exist:
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The Mobility Corridor between Urangan Pier and Nikenbah in Hervey Bay. Motorised Mobility Scooters are allowed on this section. (sealed pathway that is well signed)
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A section between Piggford Lane and Walligan Trailhead (unsealed pathway)
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A section from Takura almost to Colton (unsealed pathway)
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A section between Walker Street beside Slaughterhouse Road in Maryborough (both sealed and unsealed pathways that are not signed)
A Mary2Bay RailTrail Facebook group page has been established with maps and considerable up to date information; and stories of the ongoing work. A map of the rail trail can also be found here