Two of the BEST Scenic Drives in SE Queensland
STORIES BY MARK HINCHCLIFFE 2018
1. Mt Glorious
THERE aren't many glorious mountain roads right on a capital city's doorsteps but Queensland's Mt Glorious is a wonderful exception.
Just 15 minutes from Brisbane's CBD, Mt Nebo Road starts its climb through Brisbane Forest Park. It winds up along a ridge that takes it 40-odd kilometres through Mt Nebo and Mt Glorious villages, changing its name to Mt Glorious Rd, through cooling subtropical forest and steeply down the western side, where it again changes its title to Northbrook Parkway, emptying out to the wide expanse of picturesque Lake Wivenhoe.
Along the way there is every conceivable type of corner; on and off camber, opening and tightening lefts and rights, blind and open corners, switchbacks and sweepers, up and downhill hairpins, and corners with crests and dips.
Adventure rider and actor Charley Boorman of TV's "Long Way Round" described the famed forest road as "incredible" after riding a motorcycle to the Glorious summit while here for a promotional tour for one of his books. "What a great road," Boorman enthused. "I love the smell of the eucalyptus trees as you ride through the forest. It really was something special."
1. Mt Glorious
THERE aren't many glorious mountain roads right on a capital city's doorsteps but Queensland's Mt Glorious is a wonderful exception.
Just 15 minutes from Brisbane's CBD, Mt Nebo Road starts its climb through Brisbane Forest Park. It winds up along a ridge that takes it 40-odd kilometres through Mt Nebo and Mt Glorious villages, changing its name to Mt Glorious Rd, through cooling subtropical forest and steeply down the western side, where it again changes its title to Northbrook Parkway, emptying out to the wide expanse of picturesque Lake Wivenhoe.
Along the way there is every conceivable type of corner; on and off camber, opening and tightening lefts and rights, blind and open corners, switchbacks and sweepers, up and downhill hairpins, and corners with crests and dips.
Adventure rider and actor Charley Boorman of TV's "Long Way Round" described the famed forest road as "incredible" after riding a motorcycle to the Glorious summit while here for a promotional tour for one of his books. "What a great road," Boorman enthused. "I love the smell of the eucalyptus trees as you ride through the forest. It really was something special."
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The roller-coaster road requires 100 per cent attention from the driver or rider, not only for the blind crests and curves but also for the slow-moving weekend tourists in their family sedans, as well as boy racers cutting corners on their Rossi-replica machines.
Motorists will also need to be alert for occasional gravel spills and slippery moss on the sides of the tar leading to precipitous drops into the valley below. Passengers can relax with glimpses of Brisbane or Samford valleys wherever there is a break in the forest.
Drivers should take time out to cool down, suck in some fresh air, absorb the echo of bellbirds and whipbirds, and capture the panoramic views at one of the many scenic outlooks along the way, some of which have barbecue facilities and toilets.
Jollys Lookout offers wide-angle views toward Moreton Bay and on a clear day you can see the sand dunes on Moreton Island.
If you haven't packed a picnic, there are many cafes at Mt Nebo and Mt Glorious that make bold claims such as the best milkshake, coffee or scones in Brisbane. There is also Brisbane's Vineyard, where you can sample local antioxidant-rich wines or the tingling ginger punch.
Grab a national parks brochure that points out the many bushwalks that run off the main road, but take a walking partner as some tracks can be steep and tricky, mobile phone reception is weak and there are plenty of snakes.There are also short, kid-friendly walking tracks at Maiala, where you can see owls, possums and even the rare yellow-bellied glider.
On the western side at Cedar Flats there are two big parks with barbecue and toilet facilities and open areas for picnics.
Here, road and creek intertwine, crossing each other on many occasions, offering open sweepers and treacherous knee-down 90-degree turns that claim too many risk-takers.
At the T-intersection with Splityard Creek Rd, your options are to turn left and follow Wivenhoe Dam to pretty Fernvale and its cafes and trinket shops or right through sweeping farm vistas to Somerset Dam.
Motorists will also need to be alert for occasional gravel spills and slippery moss on the sides of the tar leading to precipitous drops into the valley below. Passengers can relax with glimpses of Brisbane or Samford valleys wherever there is a break in the forest.
Drivers should take time out to cool down, suck in some fresh air, absorb the echo of bellbirds and whipbirds, and capture the panoramic views at one of the many scenic outlooks along the way, some of which have barbecue facilities and toilets.
Jollys Lookout offers wide-angle views toward Moreton Bay and on a clear day you can see the sand dunes on Moreton Island.
If you haven't packed a picnic, there are many cafes at Mt Nebo and Mt Glorious that make bold claims such as the best milkshake, coffee or scones in Brisbane. There is also Brisbane's Vineyard, where you can sample local antioxidant-rich wines or the tingling ginger punch.
Grab a national parks brochure that points out the many bushwalks that run off the main road, but take a walking partner as some tracks can be steep and tricky, mobile phone reception is weak and there are plenty of snakes.There are also short, kid-friendly walking tracks at Maiala, where you can see owls, possums and even the rare yellow-bellied glider.
On the western side at Cedar Flats there are two big parks with barbecue and toilet facilities and open areas for picnics.
Here, road and creek intertwine, crossing each other on many occasions, offering open sweepers and treacherous knee-down 90-degree turns that claim too many risk-takers.
At the T-intersection with Splityard Creek Rd, your options are to turn left and follow Wivenhoe Dam to pretty Fernvale and its cafes and trinket shops or right through sweeping farm vistas to Somerset Dam.
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2. Lions Road
LONG before State of Origin footy clashes between NSW and Queensland erupted, there was a clash of governments at the border that has yielded one of the greatest drives in Australia.
In 1969, the NSW government rejected calls for a shortcut to link the communities of Kyogle in northern NSW and Rathdowney in southern Queensland. That's when the Kyogle and Beaudesert Lions clubs stepped in and decided to use the expertise of members and their community to build their own road up and over the craggy McPherson Range via Richmond Gap. They are still maintaining the road with help from governments and private business and there is a donation box at the border, which grateful motorists should patronise.
LONG before State of Origin footy clashes between NSW and Queensland erupted, there was a clash of governments at the border that has yielded one of the greatest drives in Australia.
In 1969, the NSW government rejected calls for a shortcut to link the communities of Kyogle in northern NSW and Rathdowney in southern Queensland. That's when the Kyogle and Beaudesert Lions clubs stepped in and decided to use the expertise of members and their community to build their own road up and over the craggy McPherson Range via Richmond Gap. They are still maintaining the road with help from governments and private business and there is a donation box at the border, which grateful motorists should patronise.
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In the past decade, the final gravel sections have given way to a full tarmac surface, although it is patchy and often in need of repair.
It's a road in two parts: the northern side is an extension of Running Creek Rd with roller-coaster skylines and popular camping spots, while the lusher southern side lined with magnificent hoop pines turns off Summerland Way on Gradys Creek Rd and plaits a course where road, rail and creek cross each other every few hundred metres over some one-lane wooden bridges and modern yet narrow concrete structures.
There is a host of picnic, camping and swimming areas on either side of the range, but only one cafe - Ripples on the Creek - where the seafood chowder is to die for.
Four-wheel drivers can turn off at Simes Rd and head up the gravel into the Border Ranges Park or take the little dirt detour at Cougal, where the trail crosses the creek several times and bathers delight in the cool running waters beneath Roman-style aqueducts. Moss and gravel create slippery surfaces, while frequent potholes and corrugations on the inside of corners test the best of suspensions.
Some of the farms are unfenced, so cattle can occasionally be encountered around blind corners in the valleys. Wallabies are more common higher up in the forest areas. Car clubs and recreational bikers frequent the road at weekends and there are few opportunities to pass those who want to take in the sights.
Those sights include the heritage-listed Spiral Loop railway line, which can be viewed from the Lions Rd, especially the aptly named Spiral Loop Railway lookout. The serpentine rail line includes two tunnels - a 1.6km tunnel at the summit and a shorter one that passes under itself.
Lions Rd and national park maps, brochures and train times are available from the Kyogle Visitor Centre at the northern exit of town or tourist centres in Rathdowney or Beaudesert.
It's a road in two parts: the northern side is an extension of Running Creek Rd with roller-coaster skylines and popular camping spots, while the lusher southern side lined with magnificent hoop pines turns off Summerland Way on Gradys Creek Rd and plaits a course where road, rail and creek cross each other every few hundred metres over some one-lane wooden bridges and modern yet narrow concrete structures.
There is a host of picnic, camping and swimming areas on either side of the range, but only one cafe - Ripples on the Creek - where the seafood chowder is to die for.
Four-wheel drivers can turn off at Simes Rd and head up the gravel into the Border Ranges Park or take the little dirt detour at Cougal, where the trail crosses the creek several times and bathers delight in the cool running waters beneath Roman-style aqueducts. Moss and gravel create slippery surfaces, while frequent potholes and corrugations on the inside of corners test the best of suspensions.
Some of the farms are unfenced, so cattle can occasionally be encountered around blind corners in the valleys. Wallabies are more common higher up in the forest areas. Car clubs and recreational bikers frequent the road at weekends and there are few opportunities to pass those who want to take in the sights.
Those sights include the heritage-listed Spiral Loop railway line, which can be viewed from the Lions Rd, especially the aptly named Spiral Loop Railway lookout. The serpentine rail line includes two tunnels - a 1.6km tunnel at the summit and a shorter one that passes under itself.
Lions Rd and national park maps, brochures and train times are available from the Kyogle Visitor Centre at the northern exit of town or tourist centres in Rathdowney or Beaudesert.
