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Host Site : Queen Mary Falls Caravan / Tourist Park Killarney [Website: www.queenmaryfallscaravanpark.com.au]
WEEKEND ROAD BIKE RIDING AT KILLARNEY Friday 13th to Sunday 15th August 2004.
Pre-Departure Bookings – Camp Site – Queen Mary Falls Caravan Park 4664 7122 is located 11Km south east of Killarney along the Boonah- Killarney Road. Mick Hogan confirmed that camping fees are nightly $18, minimum charge covers 2 person per night; and extra persons $7 per person per night. They also have other cabin accommodation, meals, and services, etc. – refer to their website. - Hotel – Killarney Hotel 4664 1313 has got new licensee recently. Counter Meals – Monday to Saturday - Lunch from Noon / 2pm; Dinner from 6pm / 7.30-8pm. Dinner Meal served with salad, or vegetables. Menu Prices (indicative, lunches slightly cheaper) Daily Special is $6!! Rump $16; Prawns $12; Seafood Basket $10; Lasagna $9; Fish $7.50.
Packing – What to Take Pack for the trip using Bob’s Bike Book list, provided by Robyn! Thanks Robyn. Evenings on the Downs and Killarney can be cool – so pack warm clothes!! Bicycles – we intend to use the Miriam Vale to Kilkivan Bicycles for training!! Saturday 14th August 2004 You need to carry supplies – water, food, snacks, tools, tubes, etc. for your needs whilst peddling on Saturday morning from Campground to Killarney[11Km] then around the 44Km half-circuit to Warwick via Tannymorel [9Km – settlement grew around timber industry, busy in 20th Century with timber, milk, cattle, grain, and coal-mining at Mt Colliery]; Emuvale [9Km] and Yangan [6Km] and Warwick [20Km]. Note : Limited services en route are available typical of rural localities / hamlets on a weekend, but Warwick has ‘big city’ facilities. We will lunch in Warwick. Similarly you need supplies on Saturday afternoon from Warwick around the 46Km half-circuit to Killarney via Murray Bridge [14Km] and Loch Lomond [9Km] then Killarney [12Km] and Camp ground [11Km]. Sunday 15th August 2004 You need to carry supplies – water, food, snacks, tools, tubes, etc. for your needs whilst peddling on Sunday morning from Killarney to The Head and back. Travelling around the circuit involves riding the shale rock surfaced “14 Crossings Road” across Condamine River – locals don’t recommend it for push-bikes (even mountain bikes!). Alternative ride is to Legume; [General Store only ]
Phone Coverage On Saturday, I understand that there is mobile phone coverage within the township of Killarney, and across the Downs, because we travel along the western slope of the Great Dividing Range, and the locality phone tower is in Warwick. ‘Public’ landline phones are available on Saturday’s route, at Killarney and Warwick. However, on Sunday’s route we travel down the eastern escarpment of the Great Dividing Range, and mobile reception at Boonah, Beaudesert would be doubtful.
Hoping you have a great week-end – Why be L, when you can be J !!! Itinerary – Friday Saturday Sunday 13th/ 14th and 15th August 2004; Car Travel Where to Go!! Best route is on Brisbane-Ipswich Rd, take Cunningham Hwy exit at Dinmore; take Boonah exit (10km from Dinmore), arrive Boonah (further 41Km), take Boonah-Rathdowney Rd; at 14km turn right onto Carney’s Creek Road, past Coochin, then at 29Km turn right onto The Head Rd and follow signs to Queen Mary Falls, Killarney. NOTE: The country-side through which the road from The Head to Killarney travels, is the locality for this trips bike riding on Sunday!! For those who remember – it is now bitumen sealed - all the way, up past Carr’s Lookout!! Consult your RACQ District Map #10 “Gold Coast-Northern Rivers”. There are many roads to Killarney!! Beaudesert via Rathdowney and Legume to K (Too long!); When to Go!! Friday 13th August 2004 – “Experience a ‘Friday the 13th’ Evening Outdoors” Travel times – Sherwood to Boonah turnoff 30mins; Turnoff to Boonah 30mins; Boonah to Queen Mary Falls 1 hour. Queen Mary Falls Caravan Park 4664 7122 is located 11Km south east of Killarney along the Boonah- Killarney Road. We should be able to do a group deal for the all persons at about $8 per person. On Arrival at Killarney / Queen Mary Falls Caravan Park - Arrange your accommodation on Friday afternoon prior to sundown; pitch your tent and settle in; feed the resident King Parrots and Crimson Rosellas from 3.30pm; Friday night camper arrivals may wish to self-entertain / party at the Camp Grounds or Check out Killarney township – Killarney - Facilities – Mostly on Willow Street!! Veronica’s on Willow (opp. Post Office, Info) good food – poor coffee. Killarney Tucka Shop 4664 1633 Open 7am – 8.30pm Saturday for food to go; Lambert’s Store 4664 1350 Open 7 days for Groceries, Fuel, Ice, Food, Drink; Killarney Newsagency 4664 1366 – 5.30am – 5.30pm; Shamrock Cottage 4664 1818 Meals, Fish/Chips, Home-made Pies, Burgers; Killarney Hotel 4664 1313 has recently new licensees!! Counter Meals – Monday to Saturday - Lunch from Noon / 2pm; Dinner from 6pm / 7.30-8pm. Dinner Meal served with salad, or vegetables. Menu Prices (indicative, lunches slightly cheaper) Daily Special is $6!! Rump $16; Prawns $12; Seafood Basket $10; Lasagna $9; Fish $7.50. Self-cater / or dine at the Killarney Hotel?; then Star gaze from the campground?; It’s a “New Moon” on 17th August, so a dark sky will boost visible star numbers!! “Grasp the Opportunity - Sleep-out in a 5 Trillion Star Resort!!” Camp Friday!! Saturday 14th August 2004 Aim for 8.30am arrival at the latest for a 9am sharp ride departure on Saturday Queen Mary Falls Caravan Park 4664 7122 is located 11Km south east of Killarney along the Boonah- Killarney Road. We should be able to do a group deal for the all persons at about $8 per person. You need to carry supplies – water, food, snacks, tools, tubes, etc. for your needs whilst peddling on Saturday morning from Killarney around the 44Km half-circuit to Warwick via Tannymorel [9Km – toilets, and settlement grew around timber industry, busy in 20th Century with timber, milk, cattle, grain, and coal-mining at Mt Colliery]; Emuvale [9Km] and Yangan [6Km] toilets and refreshments; and Warwick [20Km]. We can leave camp/tents erected on-site in safety against vandalism/theft whilst away on rides. Alternatively, we can stuff our equipment inside our vehicles on –site. J Saturday 14th August 2004 Morning Ride – 44 Km ride from Killarney to Warwick Departing from the Queen Mary Falls Caravan Park at 9am sharp. Depart Queen Mary Falls Caravan Park to Killarney [11km].
Features / Facilities from Killarney end are – (distances from Killarney) From Killarney exit along Oleander St around the 44Km half-circuit to Warwick via Tannymorel [9Km – toilets, and settlement grew around timber industry, busy in 20th Century with timber, milk, cattle, grain, and coal-mining at Mt Colliery]; Emuvale [9Km] 18km from Killarney; and Yangan [6Km] – toilets and refreshments - 24 Km from Killarney; to Warwick [20Km] 44Km from Killarney.
At Warwick, we can lunch, [most eateries are along Albion St / Cunningham Highway through city], take in the city known as the “Rose & Rodeo City”, and its historic sandstone buildings. See your Warwick map!!
Saturday 14th August 2004 Afternoon Ride – 46 Km ride from Warwick to Killarney?? From Warwick around the 46Km half-circuit to Killarney via Murray Bridge [14Km] 58Km from Killarney; and Loch Lomond [9Km] 67Km from Killarney; then onto Killarney [12Km] 79 Km and; Queen Mary Falls Caravan Park [11Km] 90Km
That’s 101Km from your rides commencement this morning!!. You’ve deserved a rest, cool drink, maybe a shower and get ready for dinner?? Should you have stopped in Killarney - briefly?? Before riding up the hill??
Saturday 14th August 2004 Evening Activities Dinner – Killarney Hotel Counter Meals – Monday to Saturday - Lunch from Noon / 2pm; Dinner from 6pm / 7.30-8pm. Dinner Meal served with salad, or vegetables. Menu Prices (indicative, lunches slightly cheaper) Daily Special is $6!! Rump $16; Prawns $12; Seafood Basket $10; Lasagna $9; Fish $7.50. Or self-cater - ? Then - What do you suggest?? J There is the Hotel?? But I doubt any entertainment apart from TV (Foxtel satellite?) Campfires are permitted in Caravan Park [BBQ facs listed, and firewood supplied, but not for campfires!! We can fix this!!] Wine and Star gaze from the campground?; It’s a “New Moon” on 17th August, so a dark sky will boost visible star numbers!! Sunday 8th August 2004 Ride – 40 Km loop east of Killarney Sunday Breakfast - Self-cater at Queen Mary Falls Caravan Park Departing from the Queen Mary Falls Caravan Park at 8am. This is a ride along the headwaters of the Condamine River. Duration about 3 1/2 hrs on road bikes down the sealed roadway between Warwick and Boonah. We will travel the bit from Queen Mary Falls to Carr’s Lookout (where there is a very tempting “Spring Creek Mountain Café” – a venue for coffee & ??) – then onward to The Head. Here if you wish you can cross the Condamine River and return up the other bank of the Condamine to Queen Mary Falls Caravan Park, Travelling around the circuit involves riding the shale rock surfaced “14 Crossings Road” across Condamine River – locals don’t recommend it for push-bikes (even mountain bikes!). Or simply return past Queen Mary Falls Caravan Park along the bitumen into Killarney. This will test your stamina for hill riding!! You could go “South of the Border” from Queen Mary Falls Caravan Park to Legume (12Km) for a refreshment stop then return to the campground, giving you a 24Km pleasant ride.
Sunday Lunch – No meals served on Sunday at Killarney Hotel. So, you may have to choose one of Killarney’s other venues – Veronica’s on Willow (opp. Post Office, Info) good food – poor coffee. Killarney Tucka Shop 4664 1633 Open 8am – 8.30pm Sundays for food to go; including ‘good old fashioned burgers at a good old fashioned price’. Lambert’s Store 4664 1350 Open 7 days for Groceries, Fuel, Ice, Food, Drink, Take-aways; Shamrock Cottage 4664 1818 Meals, Fish/Chips, Home-made Pies, Burgers; Or go to Boonah?, or ?? J
Packing Up Pack vehicles, prepare bikes for return to Brisbane.
Departure Home from Killarney Presumably the reverse of how you got there – and it seems like it was only yesterday!! But it could have been Friday ‘New Moon’ night, if you got organised!! J Costs and Budget Ready Reckoner [Fill in the bits relevant for you!!]
Hoping you have a great week-end – Why be L, when you can be J !!!
Killarney Hotel meals 13th and 14th August 2004 – NO MEALS ON SUNDAY 15th August 2004 Counter Meals – Monday to Saturday - Lunch from Noon / 2pm; Dinner from 6pm / 7.30-8pm. Meals served with salad, or vegetables. Menu Prices (indicative, lunches slightly cheaper) Daily Special is $6!! [e.g. Chicken parmagiana; Beef rissoles Rump $16; Prawns $12; Seafood Basket $10; Lasagna $9; Fish $7.50.
Vegetables comprise ?? Salads comprise?
Other snack meals are available, including a hamburgers, plate of chips, etc. A friend of John's advised : A word on Queen Mary Falls - the road is narrow and winding, and can be busy, especially on long week-ends. If you want hills, then do it!!
If you want distance, then try Warwick-Warwick via Killarney. I've forgotten the actual distance, but I have done it many times - it is over about 87 if you just go Warwick-Warwick via Killarney - eat at the Willow Street cafe - near the Killarney information centre/historical centre - excellent. [It’s “Veronica’s on Willow”. Open 8am – 5.30pm Mon – Thurs and 8am to ? other days (depending on trade and bookings!). Menu has good snack meals burgers etc, but the coffee served was weak!!.]
If doing Warwick-Warwick via Killarney, there are toilets and refreshment at Yangan, toilets at Tannymorel, and nothing then till Killarney. Excellent road surface. Magpies are vicious at Killarney, assuming they have started breeding and defending. The worst is near the school on the southern side of town. I did the round trip a couple of years back in September, and was bombed 10 times!!
If you want additional distance, and a hill, make the trip to Legume and back - it adds 24 or 22Km, depending on which sign you see. Sustenance at Legume is the General Store (no coffee/cake; but basic store lines soft drinks, etc.).
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