Mt Garnet to Lappa Junction Trail

The Mt Garnet to Lappa Junction Trail is a remote 55 km rail-trail adventure in Far North Queensland, running from Mount Garnet to Lappa Junction, around 190 km south-west of Cairns. Following the route of a former mining railway through tropical savannah country, this is far removed from a manicured recreational rail trail. Expect coarse gravel, rough station roads, sandy sections, washouts and creek crossings, with sweeping views towards the Featherbed Ranges and very little traffic or development along the way. It’s best suited to mountain bikes and experienced, self-sufficient adventure riders. The railway was originally constructed in 1902 by the Chillagoe mining interests, taken over by Queensland Railways in 1914 and closed in 1960. Riders can still see plenty of evidence of its railway and mining past, including narrow rock cuttings, old sleepers, stone bridges, culverts and cut-and-fill earthworks. Frangipani and mango trees along the route also mark the sites of former mines and homesteads, adding to the feeling of travelling through an almost forgotten part of Queensland’s mining history. The route can be ridden in either direction, although Mount Garnet to Lappa Junction generally provides the more favourable south-to-north ride. Lappa Junction sits on the historic Cairns-to-Forsayth railway used by the Savannahlander, and the old Lappa pub and small museum make an interesting finish to the journey. There is no accommodation at Lappa Junction itself, with the nearest accommodation around 23 km further away at Almaden, so transport and overnight logistics need to be planned before setting out. For riders chasing a much bigger Far North Queensland cycling adventure, Mt Garnet to Lappa can form part of a multi-day Savannah and Atherton Tablelands journey, with other remote rides including the nearby Irvinebank to Boonmoo Rail Trail. RTS Tip: Treat this as a remote outback MTB adventure, not a typical rail trail. There are no services between Mount Garnet and Lappa Junction and mobile reception is limited or non-existent, so carry plenty of water, food, first aid, repair gear, offline navigation and a reliable emergency communication device. California Creek can become impassable during the wet season, while parts of Nymbool Road can be very sandy. A vehicle shuttle or support vehicle is worth organising, as a 110 km out-and-back makes this a seriously big day.