Fassifern Valley Rail Trail

The Fassifern Valley Rail Trail is a short but scenic ride through the Scenic Rim near Boonah, around 90 km south-east of Brisbane. Currently covering approximately 2.6 km, the trail follows remnants of the former Dugandan railway line through open countryside, offering views across the surrounding ranges and a taste of the region’s railway history. The trail is split into two sections. The Boonah to Hoya section runs for around 2 km along a mostly grassed and compacted corridor, passing a historic cemetery and railway cutting. The shorter Dugandan to Boonah section is approximately 600 m and follows an asphalt path along the route once used by steam engines accessing the local timber mill. The Fassifern Valley Rail Trail, also known as the Fassifern or Boonah Rail Trail, is a short slice of railway history on the outskirts of Boonah in Queensland’s Scenic Rim. The currently open rail-trail sections total around 2.6km, following remnants of the former Dugandan railway line that once connected the district’s timber mill, butter factory and market gardens with Ipswich. The main 2km Boonah–Hoya section follows a mostly grassed and compacted corridor past a historic pioneer cemetery, while a separate 600m sealed section between Boonah and Dugandan traces the old line near the former timber mill. It’s an easy-going ride best enjoyed for its rural scenery, railway history and views towards the mountains of the Scenic Rim rather than as a long-distance cycling challenge. RTS Tip: Turn the short rail trail into a bigger Boonah loop by continuing from the Hoya end along the connecting paths and quiet local roads back into town. A mountain bike, gravel bike or hybrid is a good choice for the grass and coarse-gravel surfaces. Boonah is also a great place to finish, with plenty of cafés and supplies for a post-ride stop.