Council
28 August, 2023
Brisbane Valley Rail Trail headlines season three of Trail Towns
The Transport and Main Roads Department (TMR) has partnered with Trail Towns on SBS, to create an episode that promotes an escape on a Queensland country adventure following the rail trail from Yarraman to Wulkuraka on Australia’s longest and multi award-winning recreational rail trail, the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail (BVRT).
The BVRT will headline the third series of SBS cycle tourism series Trail Towns, as the first episode to launch the new series.
The BVRT follows the disused Brisbane Valley rail line from Wulkuraka near Ipswich, to Yarraman in the Toowoomba Region, and is a recreational hotspot for walkers, bike and horse riders alike.
In the episode, hosts Paul van der Ploeg (Vandy) and Dieter Kahsnitz (Deetz) explore all the highlights to eat, see and play while enjoying the BVRT.
Trail Towns will highlight the trail to national and international audiences, which will continue to drive the rapid popularity that the BVRT is experiencing.
Council trail counters show on average 18 per cent growth year on year, with trail counters in Esk recorded up to 42,552 users in 2022. The trail is expected to attract over 50,000 visitors in 2023.
The series promotes cycle tourism in towns and regions across Australia and New Zealand, and is credited with encouraging more families, couples and friends to consider a bicycle holiday and support regional areas.
A University of Queensland research study performed in 2021 on the trail found overnight visitors spent on average $179.80 per day, and day trippers $118.90 per day, proving visitors to the trail drives significant tourism benefits into small regional towns.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads fully funded the $80,000 sponsorship deal that includes one dedicated episode to air on SBS each year for three years, with the episode available at any time on SBS OnDemand.
Transport and Main Roads Minister, Mark Bailey, said this is a fantastic boost for cycle tourism and active transport, delivering an overview of what tourists can expect when they embark on a Queensland country adventure.
“The trail celebrates the rich history, culture of 13 towns and cities starting in Brisbane, venturing down the trail from Yarraman in the Toowoomba region through to the historic city of Ipswich.
“The BVRT is becoming a great tourism asset, promoting a healthy lifestyle and providing a increased employment and economic development for South East Queensland and small regional communities.
“Boosting local economies, getting people active, driving tourism and maintaining this world-class tourism asset has always been our focus, and Trail Towns provides an opportunity for us to promote this asset to cycle tourism enthusiasts across Australia and internationally.”
Chair of the Somerset Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Committee and Somerset Regional Council Mayor, Graeme Lehmann, said I couldn’t be happier that TMR invited Experience Somerset, Council’s destination brand to be involved in the project.
“With 80 per cent of the trail located within Somerset, the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail is a tremendous tourism asset to our region. It is the lifeforce for many of our Somerset tourism operators who work tirelessly to produce such high-quality experiences and exceptional services for our visitors,” Cr Lehmann said.
“Showcasing the trail on a series of this calibre is a positive step towards working together with industry and local government to promote the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail as an outstanding Queensland tourism attraction.”
