Looking for a weekend away? Bill & Lesley wanted to support our drought-stricken and fire-affected rural areas so headed to Murgon for the weekend to ride the Murgon to Kingaroy section of the South Burnett Rail Trail. They share their ride — an easy 82km day ride from Murgon to Kingaroy and back to Murgon with some interesting stops along the way.
South Burnett Rail Trail: EBike Trip Overview
The South Burnett Rail Trail (SBRT) extends from Kilkivan to Kingaroy and is approximately 88km long.
The Kilkivan to Murgon section is rougher and more suited to mountain bikes, while Murgon to Kingaroy is ideal for any electric bike. You can plan the whole trail over a few days, or ride sections of it for a fun day trip, as Bill and Lesley did.
Bill & Lesley's day ride covered the Murgon to Kingaroy section. The SBRT was previously a rail line, so grades are usually less than 5%, although individual grades can be long. The surface is good for most of the way.
Bill & Lesley drove to Murgon from Brisbane the day before. They stayed in a local Airbnb for the weekend so they could have the full day for riding and enjoy themselves and relax once it was done.
Murgon – Kingaroy – Murgon Trip Overview
- • Start and end point: Murgon (Airbnb 3km north of town)
- • Time of year: Late September
- • Distance ridden: 82km (from the Airbnb)
- • E-bikes ridden: Kalkhoff touring ebikes with 400Wh batteries and Bosch Performance motors
- • E-bike gear tip: Thule VeloSpace bike carrier, suitable for transporting two ebikes (which are heavier than standard bikes), and a Thule ramp for anyone who can't lift bikes onto the carrier
- • Battery range on the day: in Eco setting, range was estimated at 100km for Lesley, being lighter, and 80km for Bill. At 93km, battery conservation is required, however some sections are easily ridden with power off. Current Kalkhoff touring models carry larger batteries again, so a ride this length leaves more margin today.
Bill & Lesley's Ride – Murgon to Wondai (16km)
The day was predicted to be hot and there were several bushfires burning which reduced visibility in places, so we planned to take it steady and conserve battery.
At Wondai we took time to visit the Wondai Timber Museum, which we thought was one of the best small museums we'd visited. We also stopped at the Regional Art Gallery and the Saturday market, held on the fourth Saturday of the month.
Wondai to Tingoora (8km) to Wooroolin (6km)
There's not a lot to see in Tingoora, but the 'Tinny' pub is worth a visit if you're thirsty! After a cool-down drink we kept riding to Wooroolin, known for its wetland — although dry on this ride due to the drought.
Wooroolin to Memerambi (5km) to Crawford (6km)
Luckily the terrain is easy and the trail good, with features such as the curved bridge, as temperatures climbed and it grew smoky. At Wooroolin we had another quick break in the local park area, then went on to Crawford. We decided to turn around at Crawford as by this time it was 38°C and smoky, so it was time to head back to Murgon.
Back in Murgon: Total Trip 82km
In the evening we had a lovely meal at Murgon RSL with fluid replenishment — highly recommended!
We'd suggest a reasonable level of fitness for this ride, and to carry and drink plenty of water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What electric bike is best for riding the South Burnett Rail Trail?
A touring or trekking-style electric bike with a Bosch mid-drive motor handles the Murgon–Kingaroy section comfortably — grades here are mostly under 5%. Our Kalkhoff Rail Trail & Touring E-Bikes are a strong fit for this kind of riding, and our full Rail Trail Electric Bikes collection covers other options suited to longer or rougher sections of the SBRT.
How far can you ride the South Burnett Rail Trail in a day?
Bill & Lesley covered 82km round trip from Murgon to Crawford and back in a single day on 400Wh ebikes, with battery conservation needed past the 93km mark. Current touring ebikes carry larger batteries, so you'd have more buffer for a similar or slightly longer day ride.
Is the South Burnett Rail Trail suitable for beginners?
The Murgon to Kingaroy section is good for most riders on any ebike, with a mostly good surface and gentle grades. The Kilkivan to Murgon section is rougher and better suited to mountain bikes. We'd still suggest a reasonable base level of fitness and plenty of water, especially in warmer months.
What size battery do you need for a rail trail day ride?
For an 80–100km day on gentle rail trail grades, a 400Wh battery is workable with some care in Eco mode, as Bill & Lesley found. Current touring ebikes typically come with 500Wh to 750Wh batteries, which removes most of the range planning from a ride this length. If you're unsure what you'll need, come and talk to us at Milton — we'll size it around the rides you actually want to do.
EBike Inspiration
Our thanks to Bill & Lesley for taking the time to share their trip with us, and for providing some ride inspiration.
For more ideas on e-bike adventure trips, see Andrew's Stradbroke Island trip and his 5-day Murwillumbah and Mt Warning trip.
Thinking about a rail trail ride of your own? Browse our Kalkhoff Rail Trail & Touring E-Bikes, see the full Rail Trail Electric Bikes collection, or book a test ride at our Milton store.
