Rail Trail Ramble in Far North Queensland

On the 24 February the Atherton district and beyond saw members of the running and outdoor fraternity enjoying an informal RAIL TRAIL RAMBLE run. This run was specifically planned to showcase the enhanced Atherton Tableland Rail Trail.

The event was so successful that numbers had to be capped at 180 entrants. Unfortunately, a number of runners from Townsville and Tully were unable to join the run as a result of serious flooding on the coast. In all, a cohort of some 140 runners made their way to Atherton to enjoy the event.

There were two enticing run options of 5.6 km and 12.6 km, both including Mt. Baldy and Yabi State Forest, the shorter run ending along the Atherton Rail Trail in the centre of town. The longer run then continued onto the Atherton to Tolga section of the rail trail and back to Atherton.

At the end of the event runners and supporters converged at Billy Cart Brewery to enjoy a meal, socialise and accept prizes and accolades.

In all it was a great afternoon, and organisers intend to ‘imbed’ the run in future.

Thanks go to Tim Trehearn (‘maestro organiser’) and the volunteer ‘T4/Green Shirts’ brigade acting as track marshals.

A Qld Police Community Engagement Officer was kindly in attendance and TRC Mayor Rod Marti and Councillor Dave Bilney attended the event. Participants were grateful for the assistance of organisers and marshals and we are proud to have been able to show off the Atherton Tableland Rail Trail beautification works.

Apart from assisting with marshalling and logistics in the event, the T4 volunteers – short for Tableland Tracks Trails and Trees – are due specific thanks. This cohort of approximately 20 volunteer retirees have worked tirelessly on the local Trails, supported by TORA (Tableland Outdoor Recreation Association). Both the Atherton Tableland Rail Trail and the Atherton Herberton Rail Trail have been ‘touched by their magic’.

Since early 2019 they have invested thousands of volunteer hours and have planted some 5,000 trees to create shade, nature habitat and beautification of the trails. In mid-2022 TORA received a federal grant to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilee which allowed us to plant tree ‘copses’ on a 1.75 km section of the rail trail from Grove St. to Manthey Road. On most Thursdays, come hail or shine, this wonderful group have created small shady oases on both the Atherton Tableland Rail Trail and AHHR as well as on private land which abuts the rail trail corridor.

Apart from the fun we have whilst working we are proud of what we have achieved, and we are consistently reminded by the community that they acknowledge the volunteers for their effort.

We look forward to next years ‘ramble’ and are sure that the event will continue to grow and support health and wellbeing of the Tableland community.

This news item by Peter Tuck, RTA Regional Rep for Far North Queensland