Brisbane’s suburban line to Ferny Grove once extended a further 32km to Dayboro. Short sections of this are now rail trail. These are popular with mountain bikers  get between the many trails in the Brisbane Forest Park and Samford Valley.

The well-signposted route is a combination of quiet, sealed roads and sealed rail trail sections from Ferny Grove to Samford. Signs of the former railway are clearly evident in the Samford Conservation Park, before it rejoins quiet roads for the run into Samford Village.

Ironically, Ferny Grove Rail Station is being developed as a major hub for commuters to Brisbane with hundreds of car parks, a hotel, restaurants and shopping centre.

The railway station precinct is being redeveloped and there are detours in place for rail trail users arriving by train.

Ferny Grove to Camp Mountain (6 km)

• The first rail trail section can be easily reached from Ferny Grove. Leaving the station, the first 2.8 km of the railway alignment is now Lanita Rd. This is a quiet outer suburban street outside peak hours, with on-road bike lanes.
• At the end of Lanita Rd is a vehicle turning circle from where a 1 km rail trail section called Samford Cycle Link runs through the southern part of Brisbane Forest Park.
• The rail trail can be distinguished from other forest paths because it is sealed and there are substantial railway embankments and cuttings. The trail ends at a gate at the western edge of the park.
• The busier McLean Rd South now picks up the railway alignment as it heads towards the site of Queensland’s worst railway accident. On Labour Day in 1947, a picnic train descending the steep grade of the Samford Range left the rails, resulting in the death of 16 people including the driver and fireman. The accident was due to excessive speed, apparently because the driver was unfamiliar with this stretch of track. A cairn marks the spot beside McLean Rd
• Just before the end of McLean Rd South is the site of Camp Mountain Station, where there is an elaborate trail shelter

Camp Mountain to Samford Village (4 km)

• Take care at the dogleg as you cross Camp Mountain Rd to McLean Rd North, where the railway alignment is to the west
• At the end of McLean Rd North, another sealed section of rail trail proper takes you up to Petersons Rd
• Part of the railway corridor beyond here is in private hands so take the quiet, undulating Petersons Rd and Camp Mountain Rd into Samford Village.
• The railway can be picked up again where it passes through Samford Village, with a short section of rail trail connecting the northern and southern sections of Cash Ave.
• Samford is a popular visitor destination with numerous eating establishments, shops and parking. The Samford Museum houses the original Ferny Grove Railway Station and has information about the line.

Samford Village to Yugar (1 km)

• A seperate section of the line can be walked or ridden north from Curlew Rd near the South Pine River.
• At the Gibbons Rd intersection, continue straight onto Currawong Rd. Just before the vehicle turning area, the railway cutting appears on the left. This dirt section, which can get muddy, leads to the entrance of the railway tunnel under Mount Samson Rd. The far end has been blocked and what’s left is used by Queensland University to study the resident bat colony. Steps lead up to Mount Samson Rd, where there is a plaque relating to the tunnel.

CONNECTING PATH

From Warwick Lane in Samford Village there’s a pleasant shared path along the South Pine River and Samford Creek.