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Sunday, March 15, 2015

Louisavale

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Crossing Monsildale Creek

Today’s adventure took us through Louisavale Station – a large picturesque cattle station on the banks of Monsildale Creek between Linville and Kilcoy.



Monsildale Creek Road

We started at Sheepstation Creek north of Kilcoy on the road to Jimna. This was a point-to-point ride, so I drove Eric’s 4WD while everyone else cycled. This way we’d have a car at the end of the day so that we could ferry everyone else back to their vehicles.


Monsildale Creek Road

The day started on a dusty dirt road which twisted through rolling green hills.


Monsildale Creek Road

I’d drive ahead leaving the riders in a cloud of dust and then stop to catch a few photos of them as they rode by.


Monsildale Creek Road

We were in no rush, so it didn’t bother me whether I drove behind them or in front.


Conondale National Park

After a few kilometres we started a brief climb up the Jimna Range – a small spur which branches from the Conondale Range.


Monsildale Creek Road

Monsildale Creek Road

It was the only major climb of the day, rising about 160 metres over 2km.


Jason

Darb

Paul

Once over the summit, we enjoyed a quick roll down the other side of the range towards Monsildale Creek.


Paul and Eric

It was a perfect day to be out in the bush. The terrain wasn’t too challenging, the temperature wassn’t too warm, and everyone seemed to enjoy the relaxed pace – especially in the car :)


Louisavale Road

Louisavale Road follows the Creek westwards towards the Brisbane River. It’s officially a “No Through Road”…


Monsildale Creek

Louisavale Road

…but the road reserve is a well-formed horse trail which follows this pretty creek for its entire length.


Tony Gilliland

Bailey

For some of its way, the track is the driveway to “Louisavale Station”, home to the Gilliland family. We’d got the “OK” to ride through from them the day before, but popped into say “G’day” to Tony and his family.




Louisavale

He told us that at the beginning of the 20th century, Louisavale started off a timber town. After that it was used for Deer farming, before Tony’s family moved to the area to farm cattle.


Louisavale Road

The creek can often flood after rain, so I confirmed with Tony that it was safe for me to follow the bikes as I drove the 4WD.


Jason

Louisavale Road

We crossed the creek many times. The riders got their feet wet, but I stayed nice and dry in the car.


Darb

We also passed through many gates.


Louisavale Road

Louisavale Road

At a leisurely pace we slowly rode through some of the prettiest land in the area.


Louisavale Road

While everyone else had to labour through the water carrying their bikes above their heads, Darb discovered that the huge tyres on his fat bike were so buoyant that his heavy bike almost floated on the creek.


Louisavale RoadLouisavale Road

Louisavale RoadMonsildale Creek Road


Horses


Monsildale Creek Road

This is beautiful country.


Brisbane River - Marsh Causeway

Brisbane River - Marsh Causeway

We eventually reached the Marsh Causeway – where Monsildale Creek meets the Brisbane River.


Brisbane River - Marsh Causeway

Darb stopped and reminisced about how the sound of running water reminded him of creek-side camp-outs during his childhood in Tasmania.


We shared stories of exploding baked bean tins, and rollled up cigars of newspaper and grass stems. It seemed like no matter where you lived in Australia in the 1970’s, boys were getting up to the same sort of mischief.


Old Freezer

Fence Post

We stopped here for a brief snack before I drove Tom to pick up his car and then meet the others for lunch at the pub.


Linville Pub

Linville Pub

Linville Pub

We’re starting to get to know the colorful characters at the Linville pub. It’s a perfect spot to stop after an enjoyable day exploring the upper reaches of the Brisbane River and the creeks which flow into it.


4WD Creek Crossing

(Photo: Jason Reed)


This ride covered about 46km in almost 4 hours includuding lots of breaks. We climbed about 650m in elevation, and Darb burned about 2,000 kcal.


We rate this ride about 6 out of 10 on the tough-o-meter.


Crossing Monsildale Creek

Floating Fat Bike

(Photos: Jason Reed)


If you plan to ride through Loisavale station, please make sure you first contact the owners to make sure it’s ok and safe to do so.


A big “thank you” to Tony Gilliland and his family for letting us ride through your spectacular property.


Thanks Becca, Tom, Eric, Darb, Paul and Jason for another fun day out on the bike.


Thanks Jason for sharing some of your photos.


Thanks Eric, for letting me take your car paddock bashing. I really enjoyed it :)


Darb

Here’s Darb’s Track Log:


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