If you’re after an easy‑going country walk with plenty of charm, the Coominya to Fernvale stretch of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail is a lovely choice. We’ll meet at Coominya at 08:15 then drivers will shuttle the cars to Fernvale. While the drivers return to Coominya, you’ll have about 45 minutes to explore the township or enjoy a coffee and something to eat at the Coominya cafe. There are public toilets at Coominya, but the trail guide notes there’s no publicly available potable water, so please arrive with your bottles full.

The walk is roughly 20 km along mostly gravel and compacted earth. The old rail corridor keeps the grade gentle, making this an easy to moderate day walk, a great training outing for anyone planning the Camino in WA later in the year. About 12 km in we’ll stop in Lowood for lunch: a shady park with public toilets sits right by the trail and there’s a bakery just across the street, perfect for a relaxed break. After lunch we’ll tackle the final 8 km to Fernvale and aim to arrive in time for afternoon tea before heading home.

Along the way you’ll pass restored rail features, heritage bridges and wide pastoral views. As you get closer to Fernvale, keep an eye out for glimpses of the Brisbane River and see who can spot the old train tracks still visible. There’s also a bat colony near one of the creek crossings, a fascinating bit of wildlife to watch out for. Bring sun protection and plenty of water and enjoy a scenic walk through the valley.

Please contact Annette Cubitt to nominate for this walk.