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Mt Coolum - bike ride and climb

The Ride.

Cotton Tree - Mt Coolum
Ride to Mt Coolum, climb the hill and return by bike to Cotton Tree.

34km return bike ride
200m climb to the top of Mt Coolum.








The Ride:
There are various route options for the ride to Mt Coolum once you cross the Maroochy River but the route described here is scenic and avoids as much riding on roads as possible. The terrain is flat except for riding over the bridge.

Heading out from the Cotton Tree Holiday Park we cross the Cornmeal Creek and head along Duporth Ave. Riding on the footpaths is accepted as the norm in Qld so take advantage of that and ding your bell as you come up on pedestrian. In about 500m take a right on to Picnic Point Esplanade. Now we follow the river to the bridge just over a 1km. Then on the bicycle path beside the motorway for nearly 2km then turn right onto Ocean Drive. Follow the bike path all the way to Mudjimba Beach where the road name changes to Mudjimba Esplanade. It is possible to ride on the beach side of the resorts at Marcoola but the path runs out at the end and west to David Low way. Take the gravel track for a bit. On to Marcoola Esp. and then the boardwalk behind the beach coming out at Tanah St East. Head Nth West cross David Low Way arriving at the base of Mt Coolum.

The Climb:
The sign at the base says its a 2-hour return to the summit and back. 

The lower part of the track.

For some fit people its 15mins non stop walk to the top and about the same down again. The climb is 208m and the path goes from gravel track to rough stone steps to rocky path through a treed canopy into an open escarpment and then low scrub. At the top is a really good view of the coastline both north and south and walking around the summit affords good views of the hinterland.

Upper section.

The view south.

The escarpment.

The upper mid section.

Brisbane Valley Rail Trail - Linville to Moore

Moore 114m
Linville 134m
Distance 7km


The rail trail heads south from the station and in a few hundred meters it crosses the road and slopes down hill.

A short time later it crosses the road again and then follows the road toward Moore. There are just a few gates and creek crossing and the crossing require pushing your bike up the other side of the causeways over slippery gravel.

The trail surface is good and easy to ride. From a grassy path to a two track with reasonable fine gravel. The crossings can be difficult to push up the other side and could be a worry if wet.

Its quicker and a nice variation to ride back along the road and the traffic being so light makes it enjoyable. Only three vehicle passed me at about midday on a Saturday.

Along the way you pass the local cemetery and if like me you have an interest in the passed its worth a stop and look see.

A typical creek crossing.

Looking back to Linville station.

Only a few hundred yards to go now.

The Brisbane river.

Brisbane Valley Rail Trail - Linville to Blackbutt

Blackbutt 474m

Linville 135m
Distance 22.6km

Returned to Linville to ride the Rail Trail after being rained off last time.

The trail head is opposite the Linville Hotel and it is also a good place to camp for the night. Rail carriages stand here at the old station waiting for refurbishment. A big job yet to get underway.

Linville Hotel

click an image to enlarge

Linville Station

Its a steady climb through some spectacular country up the Blackbutt Range to the top of Australia's Great Divide. The country side changes as you climb from open farming to sub tropical tall timber with thick undergrowth. The rail line was used to carry this Blackbutt Timber back to Brisbane before road transport took over.

The climb to Blackbutt is about 340m over the 22.6km journey.  The track surface overall is good starting out as a two track in the lower sections with rough gravel and rocky sections that can be a bit rough at speed. In the upper section from Benarkin to Blackbutt it is more like a compacted gravel road and is easy riding. The first 18km, from Linville, is a steady and continuous climb. Near Benarkin, for about 2km, it appears to be level then the last km into town is a bit down hill.

Start of the trail

A steady climb for ~18km

There are cattle fences and gates at various places along the way but easy enough to open and get through. Overall there might be half a dozen creek or gully crossings where the old bridges have been removed. These crossings can be steep and your correspondent though it prudent to dismount. Pushing the bike up the other side on foot, after crossing the causeway, usually entailed feet slipping on the gravel and could be more of an issue if the surface was wet.

The View!

Setting off just after 9am the over trip took me just under 3 hours with an estimated stopping time of 45 minuets along the way for a snack, water stops and snapping photos. I had a leisurely lunch at the trail head at Blackbutt before turning around for the trip back.  The trip back, with minimal stops, was just under two hours.

Before setting off I thought the ideal way to do this ride would be just one way from the top down. But after doing the return journey I now think the rider would be a bit dissatisfied with the ride just going down. Not near enough exercise involved.

A rest stop at about 8.5km

Trail more a gravel road now

The last time I was here I was rained off. The next day I drove up to Blackbutt and met a senior couple just about to do the return journey from top down and then back up. I asked if they were aware that there was a 350m incline involved. They dismissed that as a non issue. I don't know if they completed their trip. But I think it would play on your mind as you are descending. What if I run out of energy on the way back up? So maybe its best to ride up and cruise down? 

My time on the trail was mostly quiet only passing a small group of horse riders, a four wheel drive and a motorbike. The latter two are not permitted on the trail according to the signs at each end and on every gate. Oh and some sort of lizard, lots of birds everywhere and cattle in the lower section. Up in the sub tropical tall timber there are heaps of Bellbirds calling all the time, nice.

Overall a relatively easy ride and if started from the bottom, Linville, would still be nice if it were just 8km up and then return. In your correspondents opinion that is the most picturesque section.

Rest stop at ~13.5km

Don't be fooled still ~5km to go.

Trail End - Lunch

Was sun baking!

Cooktown - Mt Cook to the summit.

This walk was done on the 1/8/2013. Things may have changed since.

Before starting out visit the Tourist Info Centre and get a map of town and details of how to get to the parking area at the start of the walking track. There are narrow dirt roads involved. The parking area is very small but I was able to get my 27 foot motor home in there as there were no other vehicles to contend with at the time. Parking is off Boundary Rd. 

                                     click on an image to enlarge

Head of the trail.

The sign at the head of the trail says that the path is under construction. I think they are referring only to the short walk to the boulders as the gravel makes for a very slippery sliding surface and not appropriate for the amount of slope on the track. Watch you step!

The Bloulders.

As you climb you will come to a section with large rocks or boulders. I would suggest exploring this area should be left to when you are coming down as its best to get the hot work out of the way whilst its still cool.

The path to the first or main lookout, about 2km up the trail, is reasonably good as far as being able to identify and stay on it but you are walking under a tropical canopy and it can be hot and sticky.

Stairs to the first lookout.

Well if you've reached these stairs you are doing well. Take a break and enjoy the view.

The view from the deck.

Still only 2/3 the way up.

From here the trail to the top turns into, at some points, a bit of a grovel climbing over roots and ducking under branches. Keep a close eye out for trail indicators, little red triangles nailed to tree trunks. The summit is still about 1km on.

Base of the Coms Tower.

Its likely you are feeling just a bit disappointed reaching the summit and finding there is absolutely no view due to the tropical vegetation. Not so. First locate the visitors book and sign it and then head south east 50m or so looking for a large rock to climb up on. Here you will get a fantastic view that makes all the effort worth it.

You are 440m above sea level.

Don't get lost on the way down!

The View!