Emu Vale MTB Trail

36 kilometres return

This trail begins at Emu Vale Park on Yangan-Killarney Road in Emu Vale. From there, head west on Yangan-Killarney Road and take the first left onto Emu Creek Road. Emu Creek Road is sealed for the first 4 kilometres and gravel after that. There are 6 creek crossings along the way. If you are up for the full 36 kilometre return trip, simply follow Emu Creek Road all the way to the site of the Old Emu Creek School, which is marked by a commemorative plaque just off the left hand side of the road, shortly before the intersection with Old Mill Road. If you reach the farm gate for Broangus Potted Roses, you have gone too far. Emu Creek Road continues into Main Range National Park on the other side of the farm, but that is an adventure for another day. Please note that Queensland Parks has advised that mountain biking is not permitted on any of the tracks in Main Range National Park.

Mountain Biker on Emu Creek Road
Emu Creek
Mountain Bike at Emu Creek in Emu Vale
Main Range Views in Emu Vale

Top Tips

  • This trail is on public roads that are used by motor vehicles, so it is important to take care, stay safe, and be aware of your surroundings.
  • Book accommodation in Killarney so you can stay for a few days and explore more mountain biking trails while you are here.
  • There are no toilets on this trail.
  • There’s a good chance you will get wet feet at the creek crossings. Make sure to bring a dry pair of socks to change into after your ride.

While You’re Here

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Route Highlights

  • LINCOLN BOMBER WILDFLOWERS SCULPTURE | Emu Vale Park, Yangan-Killarney Road, Emu Vale. This sandstone sculpture by Antone Bruinsma is an abstract piece representing the wildflowers that grow near the scene of the Lincoln plane crash on Main Range above Emu Vale on 9 April 1955. It was created at the 2006 Southern Downs Sculpture Symposium and is featured in the Southern Downs Stone Sculpture Trail.
  • HISTORY | The name Emu Vale is said to have come about because this was once “a flat where emus resort and camp”. These days, the only emus you are likely to to encounter are emu-wrens, but it is nice to imagine what this place must have been like back then. Historical locations along the trail that were once busier than they are today include Emu Vale Provisional/State School which occupied the northwest corner of Yangan Killarney Road and Emu Creek Road from 1876 to 2003, Rocky Mountain Provisional School on Emu Creek Road from 1919 to 1920, the Boldery and Brett sawmill on Old Mill Road from 1928 to 1968, and Upper Emu Creek School near the junction of Emu Creek Road and Old Mill Road from 1942 to 1960. There is a plaque on the site of Upper Emu Creek School that was unveiled in 2005 by the last person to teach at the school, Alan Barclay Skinner.
  • WILDLIFE | The Main Range is home to nearly 600 species of native animals. Wallabies often make appearances, as do crimson rosellas, and there are many other locals that could pop their heads up to say hello.
  • LANDSCAPE | Emu Creek Road winds a scenic path through cropping country and between some of the most impressive peaks of the Main Range. these include Hoffmans Peak at 1,035 metres on the southern side of the trail, and Mount Bauer at 1,145 metres, Mount Guymer at 1,203 metres, and Mount Steamer  at 1,196 metres on the northern side of the trail. Mount Steamer incorporates the The Steamers which are four gigantic rock formations that resemble a ship and are named as such – The Prow, The Funnel, The Mast and the Stern. They are thought to be the remnants of a thick trachyte lava flow from the Main Range Volcano.

Contact Information

Stanthorpe Information 07 4681 2057
Warwick Information 07 4661 3122
Email us: visitor@sdrc.qld.gov.au