Travelling by Road or Car

There are a choice of two routes from Brisbane –

• travelling west from Brisbane towards Ipswich, then turning along the Brisbane Valley Highway.  There are tolls on this route, and much of the drive is along Motorways.  The Brisbane Valley Highway passes across the westerly edge of the Wivenhoe Dam, and the Spillway.
• alternatively, travelling through Samford Village to Mount Glorious Road, then onto the Wivenhoe-Somerset Road to Toogoolawah.  This latter is slightly shorter in distance, being 113 kms, and is a more scenic route, although it takes around 30 minutes longer.  It is a lesser quality road and travels right across the Mount Glorious Range, and Mount Nebo, then along the easterly side of the Wivenhoe Dam, crossing at the junction of Wivenhoe and Somerset Dam.  If the weather is pleasant and if you have the extra time, this is a lovely drive.

Starting point:  BYRON BAY, and south
End point: Toogoolawah, Queensland  4313
Distance:  261 km
Travel time: 2 hr:55 min; to be sure, allow an additional 30 minutes
Tel:  1800 044 421

The majority of this trip is travelled along Motorways, and there are tolls. The Pacific Motorway, M1, takes you from Byron Bay to the Gold Coast, then left takes you onto M6, the Logan Motorway.  Veer onto the M2, the Ipswich Motorway, which then turns to Warrego Highway, the National Highway A2.  Finally veer right onto the Brisbane Valley Highway 17, and continue all the way to Toogoolawah.

Starting point:  SUNSHINE COAST, and north
End point: Toogoolawah, Queensland  4313
Distance:  132 km
Travel time: 1 hr:45 min; to be sure, allow an additional 30 minutes
Tel:  1800 044 722

The majority of this trip is very scenic, winding around the edges of the Glass House Mountains and the Beerburrum and Beerwah State Forests.  Commencing on State Route 70,  the Sunshine Motorway, you soon veer onto the Pacific Motorway, M1, then travel along to turn off onto the Kilcoy-Beerwah Rd, State Route 6, quite close to Australia Zoo.  Coming out just near Woodford, made famous for the Woodford Folk Festival, turn right onto the D‘Aguilar Hwy, State Route 85, winding through the far upper reaches of Lake Somerset before turning left onto the Brisbane Valley Highway, National Route 17  just after crossing the Brisbane River.  Continue for about 15 minutes, through the small town of Harlin, before arriving at Toogoolawah.

Starting point:  TOOWOOMBA, and west
End point: Toogoolawah, Queensland  4313
Distance:  98 km
Travel time: 1 hr:15 min; to be sure, allow an additional 30 minutes
Tel:  1800 044 421

There is a choice of two routes from Toowoomba –

• travelling east from Toowoomba and down the Toowoomba Range via Warrego Highway, National Highway A2 towards Gatton, then turning left onto the Gatton-Esk Rd.  Once reaching Esk, turn left and travel along the Brisbane Valley Highway to Toogoolawah.
• alternatively, take the more scenic route, but in the same amount of time.  Follow A3, the New England Highway, out of Toowoomba, to Esk-Hampton Road, State Route 85 in Hampton, turning right and then wind through the ranges.  It is a lesser quality road and travels right across the Great Dividing Range, and through several lush State Forests – the Ravensbourne National Park and the Deongwar State Forest.  If the weather is pleasant and you don’t mind winding mountain roads, this is a lovely drive.