The Kilkivan to Kingaroy Rail Trail (KKRT, in part also known as the South Burnett Rail Trail or SBRT) is an 88km (55miles) recreation trail from Kilkivan to Kingaroy. The trail follows the old Kingaroy Branch railway and is open to walkers, cyclists and horse riders.[1] [2] [3]
Kilkivan is situated on the Wide Bay Highway, 229km (142miles) north of the state capital, Brisbane and 50.4km (31.3miles) west of Gympie.
Kingaroy is situated on the junction of the D'Aguilar and the Bunya Highways, north-west of Brisbane and south- west of Gympie.
The Trail crosses two belts of old rocks separated by the northern end of the Esk Basin.[4] The Kilkivan Railway Station was built on a goldfield.[5]
The northern end of the trail is located in Kilkivan, north-west of Brisbane and directly west of Gympie. The Kilkivan to Murgon section of the trail passes through Goomeri and is located in the upper reaches of the Mary River valley and crosses through open farmland. The trail head at Kilkivan is located opposite the former railway station building near the Bicentennial National Trail. Kilkivan is 216km (134miles) from Brisbane (via the Wide Bay and Bruce Highways) or via the Burnett, D'Aguilar and Bruce Highways. Kilkivan and Goomeri are located on the Wide Bay Highway.
The Kingaroy-Kilkivan Rail Trail joins the larger Bicentennial National Trail at Kilkivan.[6]
The South Burnett Mountain Bike Club, in conjunction with the South Burnett Rail Trail Users Association, has established clear signposted cycling routes that loop out from the rail trail into the surrounding countryside:-East Memerambi Loop, Memerambi Gordonbrook Dam Route, Wooroolin West Loop, East Wooroolin Loop, West Tingoora Loop and East Tingoora Loop.[7]
The 55km (34miles) Link Trail joins the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail to the Kingaroy-Kilkivan Rail trail for a total distance of . The Link Trail follows the old stock route from Yarraman to Nanango for, and then from Nanango to Kingaroy is a further along quiet country backroads. While they were open these two rail lines were never joined, hence the Link Trail is not a rail trail.[8]
The section of the trail in the Gympie Regional Council area between Kilkivan and Murgon is for walking, cycling and horse riding only. The surface is not suitable for road/racing bicycles, personal mobility vehicles or horse-drawn vehicles. Motorised vehicles of any type are prohibited to keep trail users safe. The trail surface is compacted gravel (in populated areas) and grass (in rural areas) between Murgon and Kilkivan. Queensland’s longest sealed rail trail section of from Murgon to Kingaroy in the South Burnett Region, is for walkers and cyclists only.[9] In this section horse riding is not allowed, as the trail crosses the "tick line".[10]
Most creeks are crossed via timber bridges or concrete causeways, the most notable of which is the restored curved trestle railway bridge at the rural town of Tingoora.[11] After widespread criticism of the lack of a crossing at Wide Bay Creek near Kilkivan, Gympie Regional Council announced that $130,000 had been allocated to address the crossing and make other improvements along the trail by 30 June 2019. A low level bridge was opened across Wide Bay Creek in October 2021.[12] There is another curved timber bridge between Cinnabar and Kinbombi. Old signage like W for Whistle an be seen along the trail.
Along the KKRT scattered amenities (rest stops, public toilets and shelters) are placed for user convenience. There are multiple free camping options located in the townships however camping along the trail itself is not permitted.
Use of the KKRT is governed by a Code of Conduct issued by the local governing authorities.
The following site on the closed Nanango railway line is on the Queensland Heritage Register:
The following are Local Heritage listed by the South Burnett Regional Council: