Tag Archives: Queensland

Rider input needed for roadworks

Riders should have input into more than $35 million in roadworks being planned for one of South East Queensland’s most popular motorcycling routes, says a rider representative.

The Queensland Government will spend the money on improving the Nerang-Murwillumbah Road, sometimes jokingly referred to as the “Hinze Raceway” as it’s popular with riders and passes by the Hinze Dam.

The road has also been used in many motorcycle product launches such as the Suzuki Katana launch last year.Suzuki Katana is a rider’s delight

Roadworks plans

Transport and Main Roads tell us the proposed improvement locations are:

  • Wide centreline marking from Beaudesert–Nerang Road to Latimers Crossing Road;
  • Dedicated right turns into Parkway Drive and Tangara Road at Advancetown; and
  • Other works being considered include shoulder or road widening, improved signs and rubrail, and/or guardrail at various locations along the 36km stretch of road.

Rider input

Crash injured accident avoidMotorcycle crash on the Nerang-Murwillumbah Rd

However, Australian Motorcycle Council secretary John Eacott is calling on rider input for improvements to the road which records frequent motorcycle accidents.

He says there is “very little detail” at the moment.

“We would expect that BG&E (the Queensland comp[any contracted to perform the work) would contact and consult with motorcyclists during their design phase,” John says.

“Too often the sharp end of road users are overlooked, and no real improvements result to benefit the most vulnerable road user group: riders!”

John Eacott at Beechmont

Unfortunately, there is no longer a Queensland rider representative group after the Motorcycle Riders Association of Queensland closed in January this year.

However, if you have any suggestions, we would be happy to pass them on to TMR.

The road has already had some upgrades and was one of the first in the state with flexible Chevroflex signs (top image) that prevent rider injures and deaths if hit.

Work is expected to start next year.

We have two major concerns.

One is that the “wide centreline marking” means even less chance to overtake slow traffic, leading to frustration and dangerous passing manoeuvres.

The other is that — like so many other improved roads — they will make it much smoother and safer … and then reduce the speed limit even further!

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Ride with historic tunnel vision

We don’t usually recommend riders have tunnel vision, unless it’s an unused historic tunnel of which there are many throughout the nation.

If you’re a bit of a history buff, or you just enjoy something unusual on your bike trip, check them out.

You may be surprised to find that there are some close to you and some that you can even ride through like the Boolboonda Tunnel, about 35km west of Gin Gin, Queensland.

There is a short 2km of smooth gravel leading up to the tunnel on the eastern side that is easy to ride no matter what bike you have.

If you are coming through the farm gate on the western side, make sure you close it behind you.

The track is rough and should really only be tackled on an adventure or dirt bike. Try not to scare the cattle.

Once you get to the tunnel, it’s probably best to walk it first to check the condition of the surface.

Use a torch or your phone’s torch. It can be wet and potholed.

Look up and you will see it is also home to a colony of bats, although you will smell them long before you see them.

Put your lights on high beam, take off your sunnies and ride through slowly as it’s one way and there can be vehicles coming from the other end.

There can also be pedestrians in the tunnel.

They also ask you to not disturb the bats.

Search now for unused historic railway tunnels near and get out there and ride them. They’re “cool fun”.

Short history

The tunnel is 192m long which makes it the longest unsupported man-made tunnel in Queensland.

This engineering marvel was built from 1881 to 1884 to service the Mt Perry copper mines.

The line was deviated in 1960 and tracks removed the following year.

It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 24 September 1999.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Riding restrictions eased in Queensland

Queensland is the first state to relax harsh travel restrictions and will allow riders back on their motorcycles for a ride up to 50km from home.

Premier Anastacia Palaszczuk has announced the new rules from next Saturday (2 May 2020).

Adventure riders will also be allowed to ride through some national parks so long as they are within 50km of home.

For most Brisbane riders, that would mean they would get half way up Mt Glorious before having to turn back.

Gold Coast riders would get to Canungra for a coffee before turning around and Sunshine Coast riders would be able to explore the Blackall Ranges.

Of course, you still can’t cross the border and come back without a special permit and 14 days of isolation!

For a rough guide to a 50km radius from your house, click here.

restrictionsGoogle Maps shows how far Brisbane riders can go.

Policing restrictions

It is unknown if Queensland Police will strictly patrol the 50km rule.

This Queensland intra-departmental email from Assistant Commissioner Peter Crawford has been circulating since last Tuesday.

It advises officers not to fine errant riders, but practise “compassion”.

Virus

Queensland Police tis afternoon issued this statement:

Motorcyclists are permitted to travel up to 50km from their principal place of residence with a member of their household or an individual and one friend, except when permitted circumstances exist. The QPS thanks the community for their cooperation, police will continue to educate and show compassion when engaging with members of the public during these unprecedented times as we all work together to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

You can probably expect police to have a heavy presence on popular motorcycle routes next weekend.

Flagrant breaches

State Disaster Co-ordinator Steve Gollschewski says police will “assist people to understand the new rules but will still enforce flagrant breaches”.

“Police will be understanding but this isn’t an invitation for people to undo everyone’s hard work,” he says.

We saw Sydney beaches opened up last week only to be quickly closed again when they became crowded.

Riders are advised that social distancing still applies which means no congregating at stops.

We will also have to ride solo, with one other rider or with several members of the same household.

“We will closely watch the numbers of new infections and review the measures after two weeks,” the Premier says.

Steve Spalding RACQ voidSteve Spalding

RACQ safety officer and Triumph Bonneville rider Steve Spalding has welcomed the move.

“It’s a good start,” says Steve who is hoping to get away for a three-day ride in June if restrictions are further eased.

“At least it will give riders the opportunity to get some fresh air and ride for enjoyment.”

Further loosening of travel restrictions will be subject to flattening the curve and that may only happen if motorists obey these eased restrictions.

There is no change yet in other states, but we will keep an eye on developments.

Easing of restrictions in NSW and Victoria may depend on how well Queensland goes.

In Tasmania you can visit a family member and in the ACT you can visit anyone so long as there are not more than two of you visiting at the one time.

ACT Police are not yet issuing COVID-19 infringement notices as they are prioritising public education over coercive sanctions.

In South Australia and Northern Territory there are no fines for leaving the house for non-essential reasons, however unnecessary socialisation is discouraged.

West Australian riders can ride within nine zones, but not cross from one to the other.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Nothing dead about this ‘dead end’

There is nothing dead about the amazing ‘dead-end” ride to O’Reilly’s and back on the Lamington National Park Rd in South East Queensland.

Despite the Gold Coast hinterland being ravaged by bushfires in September 2019, the scenery along this road is as spectacular and pristine as ever. You wouldn’t even know a bushfire had been through the region!

Lamington Park National Rd is no dead endSpectaqcular views

That is not the case with the nearby Binna Burra Lodge which was sadly decimated in the bushfires and has closed the dead-end Binna Burra Rd south of Timbarra Drive.

However, Lamington National Park Rd is still open and is as challenging, varied and spectacular as any of the Alpine roads in NSW and Victoria.

In fact, massive roadworks over the past couple of years have made it even better.

Lamington Park National Rd is no dead endRoadworks and retaining walls make the road safer

However, the last few kilometres to O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat are fairly bumpy.

It’s a virtual paradise for riders, yet it is relatively unknown by riders outside SEQ and little used compared with some of the other “motorcycle routes” in the region.

Lamington Park National Rd is no dead endPlenty of hairpins and twisties!

Maybe that’s because it’s a dead-end as some riders don’t like riding back and forth over the same stretch.

However, it feels substantially different going up to going down and you take different corner lines each way.

You also don’t look back over your shoulder when you ride, so the scenery is different each way.

And it’s such a great ride, that you will probably want to do it again and again!

Mountain road not dead

dead endLamington National Park Rd on the Gold Coast hinterland (Image: Google Maps)

The 35km dead-end road starts in Canungra which is a popular cafe stop for riders. Click here for the Google Map.

Riding south out of town into the beautiful valley you will notice O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyard which is a great place to stop for lunch and wine tasting (pillions only!).

About 2km down the road, it crosses one of several metal cattle grids before ascending the mountain.

The cattle grids are often on blind corners and need to be taken at right angles to avoid slipping, especially in the wet.

They are among many other hazards such as narrow one-lane sections, blind corners, rock falls, dangling vines, foreign tourists in clapped-out vans, bumps, potholes, leaf litter, oblivious bushwalkers, occasional cyclists, and moss on the road edge and even in the centre!

Lamington Park National Rd is no dead endWatch out for slippery hazards

Despite all those hazards, it is a great road for motorcyclists of all types, so long as you take it easy and/or do an exploratory run.

The speed limit is posted at 40km/h with some 10km/h advisory corner speeds.

Lamington Park National Rd is no dead endPlenty of hairpins

We have yet to see police on the road, but being caught for speeding is not the only reason to take care.

Weekdays are a lot less busy than weekends.

The old alpaca farm with its jaw-dropping valley views has now moved to the O’Reilly’s vineyard.

Lamington Park National Rd is no dead endOld alpaca farm is now closed

However, just down the road is a short detour to the postcard-perfect Kamarun Lookout. It’s well worth a photo stop!

Lamington Park National Rd is no dead endKamarun Lookout

Adventure riders

It’s not a complete dead end for adventure riders as they can turn right just before O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and descend into the next valley via the very rough and challenging Duck Creek Rd.

However, that road has been closed for several years due to flooding and is still closed, awaiting funding from the Scenic Rim Council. Let’s hope it opens again soon.

Lamington Park National Rd is no dead endDuck Creek Rd

O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat at the end of the road has a coffee shop, restaurant, clean toilets, paved parking, a bird feeding show and gift shop.

Lamington Park National Rd is no dead endFeed the birds at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat

Once you’ve rested up and refilled your tank (with food, not fuel), it’s time to head back down and enjoy the view from the other direction.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Visit Blacktop Motorcycles Works museum

If you’re riding around South East Queensland, chances are you will call in to Esk where we recommend dropping into the Blacktop Motorcycle Works museum.

The free museum and British bike workshop is right next door to the Red Deer Cafe in the main street where many riders stop off for a coffee.Blacktop Motorcycle Works and Red Deer Cafe

It’s important riders visit and spend their tourism dollars in these areas that were cut off and affected by the recent bushfire emergency.

Blacktop museumBlacktop Motorcycle Works museum

After your coffee and cake, pay a visit to see the old British bikes at Blacktop and chat with owners Jim and Naomi McKenzie and their business partner Brian Holzigal.

What they don’t know about old British bikes you could print on a postage stamp —remember them?

Jim and Naomi moved their business from Clifton about 18 months ago because they like the Esk area with its great motorcycle roads and quick access to Brisbane and the coast.

“We’re on a great bike route over the mountain (Mt Glorious) and around the dams,” Jim says.

The Blacktop museum features about 25 old British bikes.Blacktop Motorcycle Works museum

Naomi says they get visitors to the museum all day (except Sunday when they are closed), and not just riders.

“There is a lot of interest from old blokes who’ve had one or their dad had one,” she says.

Most of the museum bikes are owned by Brian and they are not for sale.

“I have about three times that many at home but the bulk of the clean ones are here on display,” says Brian whose work you can see on his BMC website.

“We rotate the display as we finish restoring bikes.”

British bike specialists

Blacktop Motorcycle Works museumBrian (left) and Jim in their workshop

Blacktop also sell merchandise, parts and have a workshop where they do restorations and repairs on classic British bikes.

“We mainly do Triumphs, Nortons and BSAs because that’s what we like and are good at,” Jim says.

“We have customers send us their bikes from all over Australia.”Blacktop Motorcycle Works museum

Jim started many years ago as a service station mechanic in Brisbane.

Several years ago he met up with Brian who had owned British and American motorcycle shop centre in Brisbane in the 1980s before moving to the USA for about 17 years.

“We met when we were racing classic sidecars,” Jim says.

Brian says Norton is his favourite, especially the Commando because it’s “easy to play with”.

Blacktop Motorcycle Works museumBrian with his Norton collection

“My favourite every day rider would be the Commando Fastback,” Brian says.

“Then it would be unit-construction Triumphs.”

Jim’s favourite bikes are pre-unit Triumphs, so between them they have a pretty good knowledge of the venerable British brand.

Please call Jim on 0414 477 823, Naomi on 0408 312 341, or email Naomi to arrange group or club rides.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Mary River Valley a motorcyclist’s haven

The Mary River Valley was almost deleted from our favourite list of places to ride when politicians threatened to flood it for a dam!

It’s a long and stupid political story, but thankfully sanity prevailed and the massive Traveston Dam was never built.

So a pretty little valley north of Brisbane remains a haven for riders.Mary River Valley a motorcyclist’s haven Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special

Many Brisbane riders visit the area, but turn around after a lunch stop at Kenilworth.

I’ve been guilty of the same offence.

On the few occasions I’ve strayed further north, it’s been on the way to somewhere else for an overnight trip.

So I’ve often ridden through the valley on the Mary Valley Rd and haven’t explored some of the interesting offshoots.

On this occasion I took a Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special to visit the new location for the Bellbird Creek Cafe which is no longer at Bellbird Creek.

Mary River Valley a motorcyclist’s haven Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special
Bellbird Creek Cafe is now Ridgey Didge!

The cafe had been ideal situated on the twisting hot mix just south of Kenilworth, but the property owner wouldn’t extend the lease.

So leasee and bike fan Peter Cusack moved to Carters Ridge, just off Skyring Rd.Mary River Valley a motorcyclist’s haven Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special

His cafe sells great coffee, wholesome food, fruit and veg and has a stack of bike magazines for the patrons.

On the Mary Valley Country tourist map, it’s almost dead centre in the region, so it’s an even better spot to base yourself to explore.

And there’s plenty of great roads to ride, no matter whether you like fast, open bends, tight hairpins, hot mix, scenic back roads, formed gravel or Conondale National Park forestry trails. The area simply has everything to suit every rider’s taste and bike style.

Peter shoved the tourist map in front of me and began introducing me to roads I’d passed, but never ventured down.Mary River Valley a motorcyclist’s haven Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special

On the Harley, they were a barrel of fun, challenging, bumpy, twisting and scenic.

Two great roads I’d never tried before are Moy Pocket Rd and Cooroy Belli Rd. I’ll certainly be back to do them again, although Peter warns that Moy Pocket Rd is busy with cement trucks on weekdays.

He recently did a big trip with his wife on their Triumph Tiger 1050 which suits 99% of the region’s roads.

Today, I’m on the Street Glide Special, which looks commanding and handles the winding roads surprisingly well, but would be a handful on the gravel.Mary River Valley a motorcyclist’s haven Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special

Here is a list of some of the lesser-known, but superb tarmac roads in the region which the Harley handled well so they should suit just about any motorcycle: Moy Pocket Rd, Skyring Rd, Blad Knob Rd, Hovard Rd, Obi Obi Rd (up only, down section is still gravel), Reesville Rd, Postmans Track/Aherns Rd, Bellthorpe Range Rd, Eastern Mary River Rd and Lawnville Rd.

Mary River Valley a motorcyclist’s haven Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special
Obi Obi Rd is bitumen uphill and gravel downhill

Road conditions: phone 131940 or visit traffic and travel information website.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Granite Belt ride reveals wonders (Pt 2)

The wonders of the Granite Belt in southern Queensland attracted Gold Coast rider and MBW contributor Todd Parkes. He organised a two-day trip with the help of Monique Krause, marketing coordinator of Granite Belt Wine Country. Click here for the first part of his trip.

Granite Belt wonders
Click here for the Google Maps route 

More wonders

Day two of my new frontier exploration of the Granite Belt region led me to more wonders.

The Jamworks Gourmet Cafe and Larder was the place to go for breakfast where they make all their jams on site. One of the owners, Stef, was on duty and shared how they often get machinery clubs and car clubs among others journeying through or frequently meeting up there.

In fact as I enjoyed some apple juice and an omelette, the local classics group turned up for their monthly gathering.  A smattering of classic vehicles surrounded the parking lot and the conversation rose enthusiastically within the cafe to fever pitch.

Wineries

You aren’t visiting Stanthorpe properly if you haven’t experienced several wineries across the area. In fact there are more than 45 different vineyards in the region and to explore all of them in one hit is an impossibility which is why many people just keep returning.Granite Belt wonders

Jester Hill Wines was my mid-morning stop. Ann and Mick Bourke own and run Jester Hill Wines.  They are keen motorcyclists and they visited the Granite Belt on a bike trip together nearly a decade ago. They visited Jester Hill Wines when under its previous owner and decided to buy it out of the blue! 

They have a wine called “Two Fools” and they say they named it after themselves and their story of the bike trip that ended in buying a winery. I had a great chat with them both as well as a lovely coffee. Wine tasting is available and a must as well as taking away some produce with you. If only I could have fitted a case on the bike!

They do courier your purchases (like the other wineries do too) though and often they arrive home to your doorstep before you do.

Rock wondersGranite Belt wonders

More spectacular scenery can be explored in the region including Girraween National Park with rock formations, caves and outcrops. On the way I saw a man-made pyramid in the Ballandean area on Jacobsen’s Rd. It is a stone pyramid, built from blocks of local granite, standing about 17.5m, 30m square at the base and containing 7500 tonnes of rock. It was built using an excavator and dump truck and it took eight months to complete.

Leaving Stanthorpe and heading south to the border I arrived at Wallangarra Railway Cafe in the old border station. In its prime, it received trains from NSW on their unique gauge and shifted the freight to waiting trains on Queensland’s different gauge railway line.

Granite Belt wonders
Wallangarra Train Station

That doesn’t occur anymore but if you are in the region at the right time, a steam train comes from Warwick monthly to this destination (the next is February 9, 2019), stops for lunch and heads home. There is a museum with well-laid-out models, displays and a theatre room. Kim and the other helpful staff are always warm and welcoming as they serve you snacks, meals and drinks while sharing the site’s history.

At the end of my two-day ride through the Granite Belt, I resolved to return with my clan to explore the law dog training shows, see some glass blowing, visit the saddlery, taste some cheeses and see more of the region’s natural beauty.

I headed south to Tenterfield and then east through the ranges to Casino, Lismore, Bangalow and home to the Gold Coast. For more scenic non-motorway oriented riding you can ride through Kyogle, Nimbin and Murwillumbah. However you manage that trip, the roads are delightful.

Top 10 reasons to ride the Granite Belt:

  • The roads to get there are great.
  • The wines taste completely different to coastal areas or lower valley regions.
  • The farm industry (apples, strawberries, grapes, etc) offers tasting, picking and tours as well as products such as juices, jams, snacks, etc
  • The craft industry includes glass blowing, chocolate making, cheese making, beer brewing, fish hatcheries, leather goods and more.
  • Natural sites to delight geology buffs include Girraween National Park, Donnelly’s Castle, many random sites with interesting granite formations and Mt Marlay Lookout.
  • Local hospitality is friendly and inviting and the businesses seem to work together for the good of the region not in competition for tourist dollars.
  • Cafes, restaurants and accommodation all offer unique experiences.
  • Many think of it as a winter destination, the chance to maybe see snow in Qld and feel the warm fireplaces and drink hot chocolate at night, but in summer you can explore the roads without the heat and humidity of the coast.
  • Unique experiences include the Law Dog Training school to see how dogs used in all branches of security work are trained; the Granite Belt Maze and Mini Golf, Christmas Tree Farm, Wine and Hospitality College.
  • History buffs will enjoy the various museums, military memorials and the historic villages named after French and Belgium World War I Battles.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Granite Belt begs to be ridden (Pt 1)

The Granite Belt in southern Queensland tempts Gold Coast rider and MBW contributor Todd Parkes who organised a two-day trip with the help of Monique Krause, marketing coordinator of Granite Belt Wine Country. Click here for the second part of his trip.

Granite Belt wonders
Click here for the Google Maps route 

The region is two hours west of the Gold Coast and up until now I only knew it as that cold place where it snows in Queensland in winter.

Stanthorpe is at the heart of the region and when I was told it was one of the cooler areas in South East Queensland over the summer, I was hooked as riding in summer can be taxing. I was especially hooked when I remembered the curvaceous ride up through Killarney and the sumptuous twists of the Tenterfield range that enable me to get there and return.

Granite foundation

The Granite Belt region is aptly named sitting on a ribbon of granite rock that is naturally displayed in all sorts of interesting shapes. Budding geologists will have a ball.

The land is utilised for many industries including wine and grape vineyards, apple farms, strawberry farms, fish hatcheries and cheese factories to name several.

To get to the Granite Belt region from Brisbane or the Gold Coast, there are several options: the Warrego Highway to Toowoomba then out through Warwick and south bound. There is also the Cunningham’s Gap option which is a stunning and curvy ride to Warwick. I came up through Boonah, Carney’s Creek and Killarney. If you are coming from the Northern Rivers region, up through Casino then the Tenterfield range is the way to go.

For me the ride up through Killarney is stunning, encompassing narrow, winding roads through canopied rain forest regions, then bursting out into ribbons of asphalt along the ridge of the main range area. I wanted to turn around, descend and do it again as it’s a favourite of mine.Granite Belt wonders

Along the way, a picnic at Carney’s Creek near the rock formations is a great idea; followed by a stop at Carr’s Lookout to see if you can spot the plane wreckage from the 1900s that is still in the foliage across from the lookout.

If you love the bushland, Queen Mary Falls and Brown Falls waterfalls awaits. Several cafes along the ridge also await to tantalise your tastebuds.

From Killarney you can pursue the highway south or, as I did, take Old Stanthorpe Road. If your bike is a tarmac queen, avoid it, as it has about 10km of unsealed, corrugated roads. Eventually you will appear at the northern end of Stanthorpe near Applethorpe.

Apple FarmGranite Belt wonders

My first arranged stop was Sutton’s Apple Farm. Ros and David own the farm and they make juices, pies, ciders as well as obviously producing apples for the industry. Being a teacher by trade, Ros is always keen to host school visits of all ages and even has schools visiting from the Gold Coast.

I had heard great things about their apple pie so had to try it. It is completely handmade with onsite ingredients and served with special flavoured ice-cream and apple syrup dribbled over the cream. It did not disappoint.Granite Belt wonders

My gran used to make her apple pies by hand so this was a great throwback. In fact this apple pie has such a great reputation that when one customer Googled where to find the best apple pie, Sutton’s came up, he jumped in his helicopter on the coast and flew up requesting landing clearance on the farm while in transit. He has since popped in again numerous times.

Off-track

From there I went via Thullimbah, an old local rail station, to Donnelly’s Castle, one of Captain Thunderbolt’s hideouts. It has all sorts of outcrops, formations and even some cave-like nooks. I approached from the wrong direction and turned into the state forest nearby which also had amazing formations. The tracks are well-beaten, but may be tough for some road bikes. Donnelly’s Castle road is also unsealed but not too difficult.Granite Belt wonders

The region is also known for its strawberries and Ashbern’s Strawberry Farm was next on my bucket list for the weekend. Picking fresh strawberries is a highlight as well as experiencing food and drinks with the strawberries as the main ingredient.

There is so much to do in this region you will have to stay a night or several. My accommodation was arranged at Ridgemill Estate which has eight modern and inviting cabins on site near the vineyard. It has its own cellar room, manufacturing facility and taste-testing sessions.Granite Belt wonders

They make some beautiful wines, some of which have won prestigious awards. The location is a stunner and to sit on the deck looking out on the vineyard hearing the sounds of nature is so relaxing. You can eat out under the stars or around the nearby rocks area.

Sunset vistaGranite Belt wonders

If you love sunsets, Mt Marlay lookout is a top spot with a viewing platform, walking trails, rocky outcrops and mountain biking trails. There are many restaurants in or near town to suit any taste or you can cook a barbecue at Ridgemill. Don’t forget to enjoy the chockies and a glass or two under the vista of the many beautiful stars.

Click here to read Part 2 of Todd’s ride to the Granite Belt. 

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com