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Scenic Motorbike Rides
"Motorcycle Perfection"
This ride explores four valleys of the Scenic Rim in the south of Beaudesert Shire. You can gain access to Lamington National Park and end up on top of the Lamington Plateau at the famous Green Mt Mountains Resort with its myriad of walking tracks. Starting in the fertile arable flats of the Logan River, this drive will take you through picturesque valleys and wilder parts of the Shire with
rugged mountain scenery.
Leave Rathdowney via Running Creek and turn left at the T-junction to Innisplain, passing through a wide spectrum of agricultural practices, although mainly beef and dairy. The fertile alluvial flats offer the perfect base for farming. More recently, however, the horse-spelling and stud and industry has established itself in this area.
Turn right into Oaky Creek Road (not Oaky Scrub Rd) which takes you into Rudd Lane and through to Christmas Creek Valley, which also has a large beef and dairy industry mixed with smaller hobby farms.
At different points along all these country roads, you will come across historical plaques remembering the early pioneering days, when small schools and tramway stations were established to service the communities. Booklets on these sites can be obtained from the Rathdowney Visitor Information Centre, where a museum houses many photographs and memorabilia of the early farming families.
Turn right into Christmas Creek Road and on through Hillview, past the Burgess Park camping ground at Lamington. As you veer to the left here, the valley begins to narrow and you will see spectacular views of Lamington National Park and the Border Ranges which enclose the valley’s end. Continue past the Recreation Camp, Stinson Park and Cave Rock Cottage onto the gravel section of road which
takes you to the upper reaches of Christmas Creek passing Lamington Glen Cabin. You can park and gain walking access to Westray’s Grave and the site of the Stinson Air Wreck in the national park.
Returning to Lamington continue straight ahead to Chinghee Creek. As you proceed up this valley you can glimpse views of Mt Chinghee, or 'Bung Bung' as it was called by the Mungunburri inhabitants of this area. Rimfall Cottages are located toward the end of this road at Mt Gipps.
Return to Hillview and turn right into Widgee Creek Road which takes you over the Junbroken Range into the Kerry valley. Right again at the end of this road and follow the serene Albert River until you reach 'Lost World' at the base of Mts Widgee and Razorback. This is a popular detination for the experienced bushwalker and the peaceful surrounds and majestic mountain scenery provides the perfect
spot to have a picnic.
Heading back down the Kerry valley, past Darlington Park camping ground, can take you back to Beaudesert or 4WD drivers may wish to try out Duck Creek Road up to Green Mountains. The drive up Duck Creek Road, through eucalypt forest and into the rainforest, is enchanting and spectacular, particularly from John Sheppard Lookout. An alternative route for conventional vehicles is via Beaudesert
and Canungra.
At Green Mountains you can enjoy nature walks in the forest and read up on the local flora and fauna, or the famous Stinson crash, before heading back down the range to Canungra or via Duck Creek Road. Allow a full day to make the round trip, coming back to Rathdowney via Tamrookum Church Road to look at the historical and beautiful Tamrookum Church.
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