Explore the natural beauty and country charm of Boyne Valley, Gladstone’s scenic sister

Say hello to Boyne Valley, the rolling green backyard of Gladstone.

Sitting pretty just an hour inland from the Great Barrier Reef-fringed coast, Boyne Valley gifts its visitors with adventurous days and chilled-out nights, along with plenty of peaceful moments to soak up its scenic surrounds and rugged natural beauty.

Steeped in history and oozing country charm, a unique rural getaway to Central Queensland’s scenic Boyne Valley is the perfect addition to your Gladstone region travel route.

Getting to Boyne Valley

From the turtle haven that is Gladstone’s coastline, Boyne Valley is an easy one-hour drive south-west via Calliope, or slightly longer if you’re cruising through the Miriam Vale way over the Many Peaks Range.

Full of untouched wonders, this quaint valley is made up of four smaller towns – Nagoorin, Ubobo, Builyan and Many Peaks – which are dotted along the valley’s flowing heart, the Boyne River.

Boyne Valley’s interesting heritage and rich culture, which stems from the land’s traditional owners, the Gooreng Gooreng people, through to its early significance as a gold and copper town in the 1800s, has been preserved by its small, thriving community of locals.

Go on, grab the camping gear and pump up the bike tyres – there’s plenty to discover.

Things to do

From mountain biking to hiking, 4WD touring through the ranges and river kayaking – it’s all here, and you can do as much or as little as you want.

First up, a visit to the Discovery Centre in Ubobo. That’s where you’ll get your bearings, handy maps and have your burning questions answered by friendly Boyne Valley folk.

Ride, hike or trail-run

The Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail is a must-do experience. It’s an ongoing project (proposed to link Taragoola near Gladstone to Gayndah in the south, via Boyne Valley and Monto) and slowly there are sections of the trail opening.

The 28-kilometre ‘Barrimoon Tunnels to Builyan’ trail attracts plenty of mountain bikers, hikers and horse riders from near and far to Boyne Valley. The rolling track has a mix of gravel and rocky terrain, with historic rail tunnels to pass through, plus some mild downhills as the trail weaves around Many Peaks. Plan your day carefully as there no service until you hit Builyan to finish – but you’ll score plenty of epic views of the valley’s breathtaking mountain ranges along the way. Need a bike? You can hire directly from The Discovery Centre in town.

Tip: for some extra guidance, pre-book a tour with local operator Packs N Pedals.

Self-guided 4WD tours

Prefer to explore on four wheels? Grab maps from the Discovery Centre to take a self-guided 4WD tour across the valley. The 4WD-only loop through Bulburin National Park is a go-to route that traverses rugged landscape and the remnants of sub-tropical rainforest, which is also a picturesque camping spot.

Make tracks west of the valley to Kroombit Tops National Park (expect a few river crossings) where you’ll find camping flats and day-use areas, along with the historic Beautiful Betsy crash site, where an ill-fated WWII Liberator bomber plane lies.

If that sparks your interest in Boyne Valley’s golden history, check out the old Glassford Creek smelter site, the Norton Goldfield near Nagoorin and the Kalpower State Forest, which can be accessed via 4WD. Still intrigued? Stop by the Boyne Valley Historical Society Cottage in town for some insight into the valley’s interesting gold-mining past.

River adventures

Keen fishing folk can reel them in from the Boyne River, best accessed in Nagoorin. You might even catch the night’s barbecue dinner – and a red claw if you’re feeling lucky! The river also serves up quality kayaking conditions, so tranquil upstream adventures with a side of bird spotting are a must.

About 40 clicks north of Boyne Valley (you’ll pass it if you’re arriving from Calliope) is the Boynedale Bush Camp on the banks of tranquil Lake Awoonga – one of Gladstone’s top inland fishing spots.

Horse riding

For a unique rural experience, explore Boyne Valley’s beauty on horseback. Harmony Farm takes all-abilities tours across the valley, accessing the most picture-perfect spots with friendly locals guiding you up and down the stunning terrain.

Where to stay

Along with being a hub for visitor information, the Discovery Centre at Ububo offers a range of comfortable accommodation styles, from cabins and dorms to an entire house, which all share a common kitchen and meet-and-greet pavilion. There are ample powered and unpowered camp sites available, with wood-fired barbecues, a communal fire ring, and access to the centre’s facilities. There’s also free camping at the Boynedale Bush Camp (Lake Awoonga) and further north at the Futter Creek Camping Reserve.

Or, for a true country B&B experience, rest your head and wake up to the smell of crackling bacon at Follywood Guest House, a charming Queenslander in Ubobo.

Tip: Don the Akubra and time your visit with the annual Boyne Valley Country Music Campout. Camping spots sell out quickly, but you can also visit for a day of boot-scooting fun!

Grab a bite

Be sure stop into local institution Kirsten’s Cottage for coffees, homemade cakes, milkshakes and a yarn with the friendly locals. If you happen to be in Boyne Valley on the first Sunday of the month, you’ll catch the Boyne Valley Country Markets at Kirsten’s, too.

Campers firing up the barbecues for a feast under the crystal-clear night skies can stock up on food and essentials across the day at the popular Ubobo General Store.

You’ll want to keep an eye out for food truck Lyndal’s Kitchen, which rolls into the Nagoorin Hall for Friday night fish and chips (a local favourite!) and coffees and hearty burgers Saturday mornings. There’s also a handful of restaurants and cafes over in Miriamvale, about a 30-minute drive from the centre of Boyne Valley. Wherever you grab a bite, you’ll be guaranteed some good old country hospitality and charm.

Hero image credit: @tlc_patrollin