Crows Nest

Head west out of Brisbane to Laidley via Rosewood. There are various ways to get to Helidon from Laidley and I generally prefer to meander through the countless backroads that will eventually get you there, but I will keep it simple.

From Laidley, head north-west to Forest Hill and have a break in the park opposite the two pubs. If you wander around the park, you will find some history in the fact that you are on an old Cobb & Co stage coach route.

The Lockyer Pub is a great spot for lunch if you are ever in town around that time of the day.

Find your way from Forest Hill to Gatton via Gatton-Laidley Road w, then continue through Gatton and follow the old highway to Helidon.

This is where the ride gets even more interesting and coincidently where the dirt begins.

Head directly north out of Helidon on 17 Mile Road.  After a few kilometres, it turns to dirt, as it climbs the Great Dividing Range.

Around half way it narrows significantly, so take it easy and look for oncoming traffic (I have rarely come across more than 1 or 2 cars). As you reach the top of the range, there are some brief, spectacular views across the Lockyer Valley. Continue up to Ravensbourne and then onto Mount Jockey Road, which will take you down to Lake Perseverance via a great run of bitumen twists and turns.

Carry on to Crows Nest where a pub lunch is recommended at the Grand Old Crow Hotel.  Heading south out of Crows Nest, take a short ride down the New England Hwy to Hampton and turn left to use 13 Mile Road (dirt) to get back down the range to Murphy’s Creek.

At Murphy’s Creek it is time to head home using either the Warrego Hwy or the many minor roads through Gatton, Laidley, Grandchester etc. that will get you there.

Click here for the Route Map.