(Photo: Past Tense Photography)
May 22, 2025
The South Burnett Rail Trail Users Association (SBRTUA) – the not-for-profit group promoting the use of the Kilkivan to Kingaroy Rail Trail – has written to Gympie Regional Council to suggest upgrades to its section of the tourism link.
The South Burnett Regional Council is responsible for the upkeep of the bitumen section of the rail trail from Kingaroy to Murgon.
The portion of the trail in the Gympie Regional Council area to Kilkivan is unsealed and is the responsibility of the GRC.
Since the rail trail was officially opened in 2014, users have complained to the SBRTUA about the condition of the northern section, citing problems with the surface, washouts and creek crossings.
The SBRTUA recently wrote to the GRC to highlight the economic benefits and range of events the rail trail has brought to the South Burnett, suggesting the Gympie region could also benefit if its section was upgraded.
“We urge the Gympie Regional Council to take positive steps toward improving the trail within your region, enabling towns like Goomeri and Kilkivan to benefit from increased visitation and spending generated by these events,” SBRTUA secretary Jason Wyeth wrote.
“Over the Anzac Day long weekend, our association, in partnership with Bicycle Queensland, hosted the Weekend at Wondai cycling event on and around the South Burnett section.
“The event attracted 166 riders and 30 volunteers.
“Feedback was overwhelmingly positive. According to our post-event survey, 98 per cent of participants rated the event favourably.
“Notably, 88 per cent of riders said they would revisit the region, and 97 per cent said they would recommend the event to others.”
Mr Wyeth said the event had also delivered a strong economic boost to Wondai and surrounding areas.
Based on survey data, the average spend per participant over the weekend (excluding ticket costs) was $320 (including food, fuel and accommodation).
In total:
- $55,000 rider spend over the weekend
- $36,720 was spent locally on goods and services to run the event
- $10,950 in sponsorship was secured from local businesses, all of which remained in the region
“The Weekend at Wondai is just one of several major events that have come to the South Burnett region as a direct result of the Kilkivan to Kingaroy Rail Trail,” Mr Wyeth said.
“Other events include the Wondai Country Running Festival, Wondai parkrun, Rail Trail Express Relay, Mother’s Day Run, Double Dingo Duathlon, Taste the Trail, Rashers Rush and the Winter Wellness Rides.
“Of these events, the Wondai Country Running Festival is the largest and has grown steadily since its launch in 2018.”
In 2024, 585 runners took part in the event.
“This festival, like others linked to the Rail Trail, delivers a significant financial boost to the South Burnett region,” Mr Wyeth said.
“We invite you to visit the next Wondai Country Running Festival on June 28-29 and see for yourself the benefit of just one event to Wondai from the rail trail.
“Once again, we would urge Gympie Regional Council to look at funding alternatives for the development and improvement of the rail trail in your region, so that local businesses in towns along the trail can fully benefit from event development and general visitation.”
