Bikepacking Hervey Range, Fanning River, and Mingela - Trip Report

Leaders: Luen and Jodie
Date: Saturday 18 April 2026 to Sunday 19 April 2026
Location: Hervey Range, Fanning River, and Mingela
Activity: Bikepacking, gravel riding, camping, and swimming

Townsville Bushwalking Club did something a little different this weekend, with a two-day bikepacking adventure through Hervey Range, Fanning River, and on to Mingela. While bikepacking might not be the first thing people think of when they hear "bushwalking club", it was a great reminder that adventure can come in many forms - and sometimes on two wheels. Note that the Club has also led biking trips.

The trip offered a couple of ways to join. Three riders took on the full ride from Townsville, covering just under 120 km on the first day, while four others drove out to camp and joined in on shorter rides around the Fanning River area.

The Townsville group started early and made their way up Hervey Range before heading out through a mix of gravel roads, old roads, overgrown sections, creek crossings, and varied terrain. The route choice was excellent, making it feel like a proper adventure, with some hike-a-bike thrown in to keep it interesting. A stop at Herveys Range Heritage Tea Rooms provided a very welcome second coffee and a thickshake before the group continued on towards camp.

Along the way, there was time for a swim in Keelbottom Creek, which was a perfect break from the warm conditions. Some of the car-camping group then rode about 15 km from camp to meet the full-distance riders on the road in, making for a nice social finish to the day.

The camp at Fanning River was a beauty. Bikes were leaned against trees, shoes came off, people cooled down with another swim, and the evening settled into the kind of simple camp life that makes these trips worthwhile - good company, a campfire under the trees & stars, and plenty of laughs.

Sunday morning began with a brief mist over the river, but it did not last long before the sun came out and gave us another lovely day for riding. After packing up camp, the group continued on towards Mingela, riding about 30 km through open country and quiet roads.

Rather than riding the more dangerous stretch of the Charters Towers Highway back towards Townsville, the group opted to finish at Mingela and was picked up from there. It was a sensible end to a really enjoyable weekend.

This was a fun, social, and slightly different club trip, with a great mix of effort, scenery, swimming, camping, gravel roads, creek crossings, and good company. Thanks to everyone who came along, whether for the full bikepacking ride or the camp-and-ride option, and helped make it such a memorable weekend.

- Luen

More information: https://wanderstories.space/hervey-range-dotswood-mingela-road-trip/