Pioneer Valley Rail Trail

The Pioneer Valley Rail Trail, west of Mackay in Central Queensland, is a new community-built cycling and walking trail through the lush sugar-cane country of the Pioneer Valley. The first dedicated rail-trail section runs for approximately 7 km between Gargett and Benholme, following a disused railway formation through tropical rural scenery with views towards the surrounding mountains. The surface is predominantly gravel and crusher dust, making it best suited to mountain bikes and gravel or adventure bikes with wider tyres. The trail officially opened in July 2025 after years of work by the volunteer Pioneer Valley Rail Trail group. Along the route, riders pass cane fields, creeks, established trees and remnants of the valley’s railway history. This is still very much a working agricultural landscape, and sections run close to active cane railway lines and farm access routes, so riders may see cane trains, trucks and agricultural machinery operating nearby. The railway history stretches back to the late 1800s, when lines were developed west from Mackay to support the region’s growing sugar industry. The railway reached areas including Mirani, Pinnacle and eventually Finch Hatton, while a branch from Benholme towards Kirkup opened in the early 1900s. A later deviation between Gargett and Benholme left the former formation that has now been repurposed for the rail trail. For riders wanting more distance, the current rail trail can be incorporated into a much bigger Pioneer Valley ride. A mapped 20 km back-road route connects Gargett with Finch Hatton, using mostly quiet sealed roads with some gravel, although the final section into Finch Hatton uses the Mackay–Eungella Road and is better suited to experienced cyclists. From Benholme, riders can also continue towards Mirani via back roads, again with a short highway section requiring extra care. The long-term vision is particularly exciting: a roughly 80 km coast-to-mountains cycling route linking Mackay’s Bluewater Trail with Mirani, Gargett, Finch Hatton and ultimately the wider Pioneer Valley, using a combination of former railway corridors, shared paths and quieter roads. That would also create a fantastic connection with Finch Hatton MTB, giving visiting riders access to both rail-trail touring and purpose-built mountain biking within the same region. RTS Tip: For an easy introduction, ride the Gargett–Benholme section as a roughly 14 km return trip. Park at the Pioneer Valley Sporting Association in Gargett rather than beside the trail entrance, which is also used by farm vehicles. The surface can become rough or soft in places, particularly following the tropical wet season, so wider tyres are a good choice. Check current trail conditions before travelling, watch carefully around working cane railways and farm crossings, and experienced riders can extend the adventure towards Finch Hatton MTB for a brilliant Pioneer Valley cycling day