DESCRIPTION
The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail has recently been completed and is now the longest rail trail in Australia. Tour de Vines is the first tour operator to put together this unique cycling itinerary. It would be remiss to not explore the stunning Scenic Rim trail nearby, graded one of the Great Walks of Australia, and so we have combined these two incredible experiences on a multi active tour. All inclusive in true Tour de Vines style.
Ride, hike, taste and savour the sights and trails of south east Queensland
This is a fully guided tour, and we look after you from start to finish. Quality accommodation, new bikes, experienced guides, gourmet meals, wine tastings and transport are all included. Sit back, cycle and hike, and enjoy all the best of this beautiful and stunning region of Australia on this exclusive and unique experience.
Day 1: Arrival Brisbane
After collection from Brisbane airport we arrive at our accommodation in Brisbane. This evening we will enjoy our first group meal, where you will meet your guide, ask as many questions as you like, and get to know your fellow cyclists. We will sample some local wines with your restaurant meal included in your tour. Accommodation will be 4 stars in central Brisbane.
Day 2: Brisbane to Yarraman (cycling approx. 50kms downhill)
After breakfast, we transfer to the start of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail (BVRT). We collect our bikes and head off cycling this wonderful trail. We start from Yarraman which means we enjoy a downhill roll and expansive views. A stop for lunch at the gorgeous Old Church Gallery café which also houses a stunning art gallery, a lovely surprise. We continue our ride enjoying the BVRT for approx 50kms with highlights including the Harlin tunnel and crossing the restored heritage listed Lockyer Creek bridge.
Accommodation tonight is 3/3.5 star clean comfortable motor inn. Esk is real outback Queensland and a pub visit or local Thai is in order for dinner.
Day 3: Esk to Ipswich (40kms flat)
We jump back on the BVRT after our café breakfast to experience a different section of the trail, heading toward Ipswitch in a southerly direction. Keep an eye out for wildlife including koala, echidna, emu and more. The trail is pretty much flat today and provides a new outlook. The incredibly well restored rail stations on route make great photo opportunities. Some of the outback scenery is memorable.
We transfer at the end of our cycling to luxurious Hidden Vale Resort complete with beautiful natural surrounds in the Lockyer Valley. Relaxed luxury is the vibe here and award winning dinning, featuring a mix of beautifully restored Queenslander style cottages dating back to the 1800s
Day 4: Hidden Vale to Scenic Rim hike (13kms/6 hrs)
After an early breakfast and transfer, we commence with a 5 km gentle uphill hike. Along the way, your guides will identify the local plant and animal species and share stories from the rich local history of this region. We reach Millarvale Creek where we enjoy a brief stop for afternoon tea. Listen to the soft flowing and soothing sounds of the water running over the rocks on the creek bed and feast your eyes on an abundance of birdlife including bright blue superb fairy wrens and rich red scarlet honeyeaters.
Keeping your eyes peeled for wallabies, we will cross open woodland forest to Spicers Canopy at around 4pm. A warm welcome from our Camp Host and onsite Chef await along with freshly made afternoon tea and cold beverages. There is now time to unwind, relax in a bean bag, take a dip in the hot tub and have a hot shower before meeting your group back in the main lodge for your chef-prepared and locally sourced evening meal.
After dinner, enjoy an outdoor fire as you gaze up to the night sky and discover the constellations, learning the ways the early settlers used the stars to navigate their way through this region.
Day 5: Hiking the Scenic Rim trail (15kms/8 hrs)
Our path today has only been travelled by a select few and on this journey, we hope you make lasting discoveries and connections with the natural world and those around you. After breakfast, you will begin a gentle meander along Oakey Creek, where you’ll have the opportunity to look for goannas, wedge tail eagles and wallabies. From here, we turn east and begin our ascent to Spicers Peak, keeping your eyes peeled for the endangered Glossy Black Cockatoo and by mid- morning we take a break and boil the billy. From here, you will continue climbing, but it is worth the effort as you break above the tree line and are rewarded with panoramic views of the Great Dividing Range and Mt Mitchell.
There is one final push before lunch, using a support rope to climb up to where the trail leads from a drier grass tree plateau, through to the dense rainforest of Spicers Peak, complete with giant ferns, grass trees and awe-inspiring three hundred-year-old hoop pines. After a lovely relaxed walk through the cool temperate forest, take a seat at our designated stop and enjoy a well-deserved lunch before pushing on for the last 2 hours of the hike. A stretch of downhill leads you across a saddle and onto the final ascent up Cedar Mountain where you will find the luxurious Spicers Peak Lodge, where refreshing towels and beverages will be waiting for you.
Cheers to finishing the walk, before you are all transferred back down to Spicers Canopy to enjoy your final night on the Scenic Rim Trail. We enjoy a celebratory dinner to toast our achievements and another night under the stunning stars in our glamping accommodation.
Day 6: Sirromet Winery & transfer to Brisbane
We take the chance to relax our legs today and reward ourselves with some gourmet treats. Our transfer back to Brisbane is via a stunning lunch at the popular Sirromet Winery in Mount Cotton south east of Brisbane. Enjoy the highly regarded food and wine and the memorable views at this acclaimed winery where we enjoy a ‘Behind the Scenes’ winery tour and tasting followed by lunch on the Tuscan Terrace. We will arrive into Brisbane around 4pm after a 1 hr drive.
