Residents want to revive a section of the Mackay-Netherdale train line for the sake of tourism in the Pioneer Valley

The hype over the Pioneer Valley Mountain Bike Trail has some yearning for the return of a once-popular Mackay tourism link.

Heidi Petith

@HeidiPetith

4 min read

June 14, 2021 - 7:31PM

Mackay

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As traction grows around the Finch Hatton Mountain Bike Trail project, so too are calls to revive a once-popular tourism link.

Mackay-born Sue McCowat said it was time to “bring the bloody train back”.

The Mackay-Netherdale rail line once connected Mackay to Finch Hatton, bringing tourists from the seaside to the mountainside and Pioneer Valley townships in between.

Growing up in Walkerston, Ms McCowat said she fondly remembered waving to train hoppers as they travelled from Mackay to Finch Hatton for the Pioneer Valley Show.

The high-level rail bridge at Mirani was opened on December 3, 1959. The photograph shows the Mackay-Netherdale rail motor making its first run over the bridge on December 4. Picture: Daily Mercury Archives

There are now calls to reintroduce a passenger train from Mirani out to Finch Hatton, with options to take along your pet or mountain bike, should you be hitting the trails.

“When I’m looking to travel now, I’m looking at all these quirky little things (like train rides) just to experience,” Ms McCowat said.

Friend Gillian Barbat was also a fan of the rail idea adding visitors to Cairns jumped on the train up to Kuranda “at the drop of a hat”.

The Bush Florist owner Lana Ross said the train could be a “tourism goldmine” with options to stop at destinations such as Pinnacle for lunch before reaching Finch Hatton.

Ms Ross, together with fellow artist Shelley Miers, is planning to launch an artists’ market at Finch Hatton that could one day rival the world-famous Eumundi Markets.

Mackay Regional Councillor Justin Englert said restarting the passenger train would be tricky, requiring consideration of track maintenance, insurance and engaging a private operator.

The Mirani Railway Station. Did you catch the Mackay-Netherdale train? Email your memories to heidi.petith@news.com.au

Cr Englert said he hoped the Mountain Bike Trail project would entice private and state government investment.

“When those (Mackay-Netherdale) tracks were closed, the state government unfortunately gave the parcels of land which the train tracks crossed on back to local landholders,” he said.

“What we need to do is first establish who owns what pieces of land.”

A train at the Marian Railway Station. Do you know more about this photograph? Email heidi.petith@news.com.au

Cr Englert said the train-line would also ease pressure on Finch Hatton with mountain bikers happy to stay in towns such as Mirani and ride the train to the mountain instead.

“It adds to the experience,” he said.

What do you think about reviving the train line from Mirani to Finch Hatton? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Email heidi.petith@news.com.au

This story was thanks to the My Town series – a Daily Mercury and Mackay Regional Council initiative.

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