Australian Towns, Cities & Highways: Brisbane Valley Highway

Brisbane Valley Highway

The Brisbane Valley Highway, a short highway links Ipswich with the South Burnett region. Starting at the Warrego Highway, just west of Ipswich, the highway heads north-west into the Brisbane Valley, passes through the small town of Fernvale before crossing the Wivenhoe Dam wall to reach the picturesque town of Esk. From Esk, the highway continues north, this time with the addition of State Route 85 (shown above), passing through rich crop growing and cattle farming districts, bypassing the town of Toogoolawah before reaching the D'Aguilar Highway. Motorists continuing north-west into the South Burnett and Kingaroy are to follow the D'Aguilar Highway.

State: Queensland
Name Origin: The Brisbane Valley Highway gains its name from passing through the Brisbane Valley. The Brisbane Valley is named appropriately as it provides the greater catchment for the Brisbane River.
Start: Warrego Highway (10km west of Ipswich )
Principal Towns: Ipswich, Fernvale, Esk, Toogoolawah
Finish: D'Aguilar Highway (26km west of Kilcoy)
Length: 87km
Road Standard: Bitumen
Road Quality: Excellent - little to no overtaking lanes throughout which is unfortunate as the highway carries unusually high traffic levels. Highway passes across generally mild undulating terrain with some steep & windy sections between Esk and Toogoolawah.
Speed Limit (outside built up areas): 100km/hr (80km/hr while crossing Wivenhoe Dam).

Photos from the Brisbane Valley Highway (Click on thumbnail for full sized image):

Heading east along the Warrego Highway as it approaches the Brisbane Valley Hwy junction, Blacksoil (2003).

The Brisbane Valley Highway, heading north from the Warrego Hwy junction (2003).

Looking north-west along the Brisbane Valley Hwy as it passes through Fernvale. Kilometre post indicates the distance to Esk is 40km (2004).

Approaching the Somerset Dam turnoff along the Brisbane Valley Hwy (2004).

Looking south-east over the Brisbane Valley Hwy and Wivenhoe Dam (2004).

Distance sign, heading south-east along the Brisbane Valley Hwy from the Coominya turnoff (2004).

Looking north along the Brisbane Valley Hwy between Fernvale and Esk (2004).

Looking north along the Brisbane Valley Hwy in Esk as it approaches the Toowoomba turnoff (2004).

Looking south along the Brisbane Valley Hwy as it approaches Toogoolawah (2004).

Distance sign, heading north along the Brisbane Valley Hwy from Toogoolawah (2004).

The Brisbane Valley Highway, heading south from the D'Aguilar Hwy junction (2004).

	Heading east along the Warrego Highway as it approaches the Brisbane Valley Hwy junction, Blacksoil (2003).
	The Brisbane Valley Highway, heading north from the Warrego Hwy junction (2003).
	Looking north-west along the Brisbane Valley Hwy as it passes through Fernvale. Kilometre post indicates the distance to Esk is 40km (2004).
	Approaching the Somerset Dam turnoff along the Brisbane Valley Hwy (2004).
	Looking south-east over the Brisbane Valley Hwy and Wivenhoe Dam (2004).
	Distance sign, heading south-east along the Brisbane Valley Hwy from the Coominya turnoff (2004).
	Looking north along the Brisbane Valley Hwy between Fernvale and Esk (2004).
	Looking north along the Brisbane Valley Hwy in Esk as it approaches the Toowoomba turnoff (2004).
	Looking south along the Brisbane Valley Hwy as it approaches Toogoolawah (2004).
	Distance sign, heading north along the Brisbane Valley Hwy from Toogoolawah (2004).
	The Brisbane Valley Highway, heading south from the D'Aguilar Hwy junction (2004).