View source for Toowoomba–Karara Road

{{Short description|Road route in the Toowoomba and Southern Downs regions of Queensland, Australia}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox Australian road
| road_name    = Toowoomba–Karara Road
| state        = qld
| type         = rural road
| image        =
| caption      =
| length       = 82.5
| length_ref   = <ref name=gmaps-east>{{Google maps |url=https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/-27.6051905,151.8967616/-28.2076258,151.5666456/@-27.9123712,151.496534,10z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e0 |access-date=10 February 2022 |title=Drayton to Karara}}</ref>
| est          =
| route        = {{plainlist|
* No shield  (Drayton – Cambooya)
* {{AUshield|S|48}} State Route&nbsp;48 (Cambooya – Karara)
}}
| direction_a  = North
| end_a        = {{AUshield|QLD|A139}} [[Toowoomba Athol Road]] [[Drayton, Queensland|Drayton]]
| exits        = {{Plainlist|
* {{AUshield|S|48}} Cambooya Connection Road
* Felton–Clifton Road
* Pittsworth–Felton Road
* Leyburn–Cunningham Road
* Millmerran–Leyburn Road
}}
| direction_b  = South
| end_b        = {{AUshield|R|42}} [[Cunningham Highway]] [[Karara, Queensland|Karara]]
| through      = {{QLDcity|Cambooya|Felton|Leyburn}}
}}
'''Toowoomba–Karara Road''' is a continuous {{convert|82.5|km|mi}} road route in the [[Toowoomba Region|Toowoomba]] and [[Southern Downs Region|Southern Downs]] regions of [[Queensland]], Australia. Most of the route is signed as State Route 48. Toowoomba–Karara Road (number 331) is a state-controlled district road.<ref name=TMR>{{cite map
|publisher   = Queensland Government ©State of Queensland [CC BY 4.0]
|title       = The State Road Network of Queensland
|date        = 30 June 2022
|url         = https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/_/media/travelandtransport/maps-and-guides/queensland-maps/state-road-network/the-state-road-network-of-queensland-front-at-30-june-2022.pdf?sc_lang=en&hash=BE5B156CE3B0044010A3C7150860CB22 |access-date  = 4 August 2023}}</ref><ref name=DD>{{cite web |url=https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/-/media/Travelandtransport/Maps-and-guides/regiondistrictmaps/darlingdownsdistrict.pdf?la=en |title=Darling Downs district map |date=2019 |publisher=Department of Transport and Main Roads ©State of Queensland [CC BY 4.0] |access-date=1 January 2022 }}</ref> As part of State Route 48 it provides an alternate route between {{QLDcity|Toowoomba}} and {{QLDcity|Inglewood}}. It is also part of the shortest route from Toowoomba to {{QLDcity|Texas}}.
==Route Description==
The Toowoomba–Karara Road commences as Old Wyreema Road at an intersection with the [[Toowoomba Athol Road]] in {{QLDcity|Drayton}}, a suburb of Toowoomba. It runs south-west, becoming Toowoomba-Karara Road as it runs between {{QLDcity|Westbrook}} and {{QLDcity|Finnie}}. It passes through {{QLDcity|Wyreema}} as Wyreema One Mile Road and Balgour Street before again becoming Toowoomba-Karara Road. This runs south to {{QLDcity|Cambooya}}, following the [[Southern railway line, Queensland|Southern railway line]]. It passes through Cambooya as Railway Street, Quarry Street and Alfred Street before reaching an intersection with Cambooya Connection Road (State Route 48). Here it turns west on William Street as State Route 48, soon becoming Toowoomba-Karara Road again.
The road continues south-west through {{QLDcity|Felton}}, {{QLDcity|Felton South}}, and {{QLDcity|Ellangowan}} before reaching {{QLDcity|Leyburn}}. In Felton it passes exits to [[Felton-Clifton Road]] and Pittsworth-Felton Road. In Ellangowan it passes the exit to Clifton–Leyburn Road. As it enters Leyburn it passes exits to Leyburn-Cunningham Road (Tourist Drive 12) and Millmerran-Leyburn Road. It runs through Leyburn as Dove Street and turns south as Toowoomba-Karara Road. The road ends in Karara at an intersection with the [[Cunningham Highway]].
Land uses along this road is primarily rural, including some areas of native vegetation.
==State Route 48==
State Route 48 starts as Cambooya Connection Road at an intersection with the [[New England Highway]] in Cambooya, {{convert|5.5|km|mi}} east of Cambooya village. It joins Toowoomba-Karara Road in Cambooya and follows it to Karara.
==Road condition==
Toowoomba–Karara Road is fully sealed. It has no incline greater than about 4%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bonzle.com/c/a?a=p&cmd=sp&zix=r&p=173848&st=&s=toowoomba%20%2D%20karara&pg=1&m=0&c=1&x=151%2E28663&y=%2D23%2E934325&w=17948&mpsec=0 |title=Map of Toowoomba - Karara Road |publisher=Bonzle Digital Atlas |date=2022 |access-date=3 February 2022}}</ref>
==History==
{{main|Westbrook, Queensland#History|Cambooya, Queensland#History|Felton, Queensland#History|Ellangowan, Queensland#History|Leyburn, Queensland#History}}
Westbrook [[pastoral run]] was established in 1841,<ref>{{cite QPN|48092|Westbrook (locality)|access-date=4 June 2014}}</ref> and Eton Vale pastoral run was established in 1840 in what is now Cambooya.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.queenslandplaces.com.au/cambooya |title=Cambooya |publisher=queenslandplaces.com.au |access-date=14 December 2009 |archive-date=8 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100208164153/http://queenslandplaces.com.au/cambooya |url-status=live }}</ref> Felton and Felton South were the site of an early pastoral run.<ref>{{cite QPN|49261|Felton|locality in Toowoomba Region|access-date=21 July 2021}}</ref> Ellangowan pastoral run was established in 1842,<ref>{{cite QPN|49189|Ellangowan|locality in Toowoomba Region|access-date=12 April 2019}}</ref> and Leyburn was settled in the 1840s.<ref>From series of articles published under the title ''Queensland place names and obelisks'' by Sydney May (formerly Honorary Secretary of the Queensland Place Names Committee) in ''Local Government'', June 1957 - November 1964</ref> The first roads were cut to provide access to the pastoral runs and new settlements for wheeled vehicles.
In 1877 land was resumed from many pastoral runs to establish smaller farms. These resumptions included Westbrook ({{convert|11,500|acres|ha}}), Eton Vale ({{convert|6,500|acres|ha}}), and Felton ({{convert|7,800|acres|ha}}).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1361846|title=Proclamations under the New Land Acts.|date=2 March 1877|newspaper=[[The Brisbane Courier]]|access-date=19 February 2020|location=Queensland, Australia|page=3|via=Trove}}</ref> These resumptions soon led to closer settlement and a demand for better roads to enable the commercial success of the new farms.
Cambooya was connected by rail to Toowoomba in 1871, and quickly grew as a commercial centre. A post office had opened in 1869, and the first school opened in 1882. The development of new farms led to greater use of the road to Toowoomba.
The site for the town of Leyburn was surveyed in 1852. By 1861 the town had a post office and a police station, and the first school opened in 1862. Despite not having a railway connection the town grew quickly, with a hotel built in 1863, a court house in 1866 and a church in 1871. This placed great reliance on a road connection to Toowoomba. As settlement spread south from Leyburn it was inevitable that a road connection to the Cunningham Highway was established.
==Intersecting state-controlled roads==
This road intersects with the following state-controlled roads:
* Cambooya Connection Road
* [[Felton-Clifton Road]]
* Pittsworth–Felton Road
* Clifton–Leyburn Road
* Leyburn–Cunningham Road
* Millmerran–Leyburn Road
===Cambooya Connection Road===
{{Infobox road small
|country=AUS
|state=QLD
|type=S
|route=48
|name=Cambooya Connection Road
|location=New England Highway, Cambooya to Toowoomba–Karara Road, Cambooya
|length_km=5.5
|formed=
|}}
Cambooya Connection Road is a state-controlled district road (number 3304) rated as a local road of regional significance (LRRS).<ref name=TMR/><ref name=DD/> It is part of State Route 48. It runs from the [[New England Highway]] in {{QLDcity|Cambooya}} to Toowoomba–Karara Road in Cambooya, a distance of {{convert|5.5|km|mi}}. This road has no major intersections.<ref name=CC>{{Google maps |url=https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/-27.711447,151.8600781/-27.7176738,151.9115097/@-27.7116125,151.8476299,13z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e0?entry=tts |access-date=10 August 2023 |title=Cambooya Connection Road}}</ref>
{{clear}}
===Pittsworth–Felton Road===
{{Infobox road small
|country=AUS
|state=QLD
|type=
|route=
|name=Pittsworth–Felton Road
|location=Gore Highway, Pittsworth to Toowoomba–Karara Road, Felton
|length_km=22.4
|formed=
|}}
Pittsworth-Felton Road is a state-controlled district road (number 332) rated as a local road of regional significance (LRRS).<ref name=TMR/><ref name=DD/> It runs from the [[Gore Highway]] in {{QLDcity|Pittsworth}} to Toowoomba–Karara Road in {{QLDcity|Felton}}, a distance of {{convert|22.4|km|mi}}. The road has no major intersections.<ref name=PF>{{Google maps |url=https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/-27.7076315,151.6260322/Felton+QLD/@-27.7705463,151.5520788,11z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d151.6275574!2d-27.7176381!3s0x6b9634671d890735:0x1300eef157d73941!1m5!1m1!1s0x6b964d22f7809299:0x400eef17f20aee0!2m2!1d151.7718799!2d-27.800041!3e0?entry=tts |access-date=10 August 2023 |title=Pittsworth to Felton}}</ref>
{{clear}}
===Clifton–Leyburn Road===
{{Infobox road small
|country=AUS
|state=QLD
|type=
|route=
|name=Clifton–Leyburn Road
|location=Felton–Clifton Road, Clifton to Toowoomba–Karara Road, Ellangowan
|length_km=25.1
|formed=
|}}
Clifton–Leyburn Road is a state-controlled district road (number 336) rated as a local road of regional significance (LRRS).<ref name=TMR/><ref name=DD/> It runs from Felton–Clifton Road in {{QLDcity|Clifton}} to Toowoomba–Karara Road in {{QLDcity|Ellangowan}}, a distance of {{convert|25.1|km|mi}}. It intersects with Ryeford–Pratten Road in {{QLDcity|Ryeford}}.<ref name=CL>{{Google maps |url=https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/-27.9291589,151.9060727/-27.9443816,151.6672571/@-27.9619091,151.6316743,11z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e0?entry=tts |access-date=10 August 2023 |title=Clifton to Ellangowan}}</ref>
{{clear}}
===Leyburn–Cunningham Road===
{{Infobox road small
|country=AUS
|state=QLD
|type=T
|route=12
|name=Leyburn–Cunningham Road
|location=Toowoomba–Karara Road, Leyburn to Cunningham Highway, Allan
|length_km=52.8
|formed=
|}}
Leyburn-Cunningham Road is a state-controlled district road (number 3306) rated as a local road of regional significance (LRRS).<ref name=TMR/><ref name=DD/> It is part of Tourist Drive 12 and runs from Toowoomba–Karara Road in {{QLDcity|Leyburn}} to the [[Cunningham Highway]] in {{QLDcity|Allan}}, a distance of {{convert|52.8|km|mi}}. It intersects with Ryeford–Pratten Road (see below) in {{QLDcity|Old Talgai}}.<ref name=LC>{{Google maps |url=https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/-28.0051007,151.5883534/-28.2094323,151.9628173/@-28.1367826,151.5101026,10z/data=!4m9!4m8!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d151.9406514!2d-28.1792142!3s0x6b97a278b704f133:0xccc89dc79f0f1997!1m0!3e0?entry=tts |access-date=10 August 2023 |title=Leyburn to Allan}}</ref>
{{clear}}
===Millmerran–Leyburn Road===
{{Infobox road small
|country=AUS
|state=QLD
|type=
|route=
|name=Millmerran–Leyburn Road
|location=Gore Highway, Yandilla to Toowoomba–Karara Road, Leyburn
|length_km=36.1
|formed=
|}}
Millmerran–Leyburn Road is a state-controlled district road (number 335) rated as a local road of regional significance (LRRS).<ref name=TMR/><ref name=DD/> It runs from the [[Gore Highway]] in {{QLDcity|Yandilla}} to Toowoomba–Karara Road in {{QLDcity|Leyburn}}, a distance of {{convert|36.1|km|mi}}. This road has no major intersections.<ref name=ML>{{Google maps |url=https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/-27.8240262,151.3529946/-28.0067249,151.5865066/@-27.9026301,151.3300933,11z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e0?entry=tts |access-date=10 August 2023 |title=Yandilla to Leyburn}}</ref>
{{clear}}
==Associated state-controlled road==
The following state-controlled road intersects with Clifton–Leyburn Road and Leyburn–Cunningham Road:
===Ryeford–Pratten Road===
{{Infobox road small
|country=AUS
|state=QLD
|type=
|route=
|name=Ryeford–Pratten Road
|location=Clifton–Leyburn Road, Ryegord to Leyburn–Cunningham Road, Old Talgai
|length_km=10.4
|formed=
|}}
Ryeford–Pratten Road is a state-controlled district road (number 3363), rated as a local road of regional significance (LRRS).<ref name=TMR/><ref name=DD/> It runs from Clifton–Leyburn Road in {{QLDcity|Ryeford}} to Leyburn–Cunningham Road in {{QLDcity|Old Talgai}}, a distance of {{convert|10.4|km|mi}}.<ref name=RP>{{Google maps |url=https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir/-27.941406,151.8093882/-28.012337,151.7535741/@-27.9820998,151.7092494,12z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e0?entry=tts |access-date=28 August 2023 |title=Ryeford to Old Talgai}}</ref>
{{clear}}
==Major intersections==
All distances are from Google Maps.
{{AUSinttop}}
{{QLDint
|LGA=[[Toowoomba Region|Toowoomba]]
|LGAspan=5
|location=Drayton
|lspan=2
|type=
|km=0
|Mile=
|road={{AUshield|QLD|A139}} [[Toowoomba Athol Road]] – west – {{QLDcity|Westbrook|Athol}}, [[Gore Highway]] <br /> northeast – {{QLDcity|Harristown}}, [[Toowoomba]]
|notes=Northern end of Toowoomba–Karara Road (no shield). <br /> Road runs south west as Old Wyreema Road.
}}
{{QLDint
|LGA=
|LGAspan=
|location=
|lspan=
|type=trans
|km=1.7
|Mile=
|road=Hanrahan Road – east – Drayton
|notes=Road name changes to Toowoomba–Karara Road
}}
{{QLDint
|LGA=
|LGAspan=
|location=Wyreema
|lspan=
|type=trans
|km=6.9
|Mile=
|road=Umbiram Road – west – {{QLDcity|Umbiram|Southbrook}}
|notes=Road continues through Wyreema as Balfour Street, then reverts to Toowoomba–Karara Road.
}}
{{QLDint
|LGA=
|LGAspan=
|location=Cambooya
|lspan=
|type=trans
|km=13.7
|Mile=
|road={{AUshield|S|48}} Cambooya Connection Road – east – [[New England Highway]]
|notes=Road runs through Cambooya as Railway Street, Quarry Street and Alfred Street. <br /> Road turns west as William Street (State Route 48) and then reverts to Toowoomba–Karara Road.
}}
{{QLDint
|LGA=
|LGAspan=
|location=Felton
|lspan=
|type=
|km=27.2
|km2=27.5
|Mile=
|road=Felton–Clifton Road – southeast – {{QLDcity|Clifton}}, New England Highway <br /> Pittsworth–Felton Road – west – {{QLDcity|Pittsworth}}, Gore Highway
|notes=
}}
{{QLDint
|LGA=[[Southern Downs Region|Southern Downs]]
|LGAspan=2
|location=Leyburn
|lspan=
|type=trans
|km=57.6
|km2=57.9
|Mile=
|road={{AUshield|T|12}} Leyburn–Cunningham Road (Tourist Drive 12) – east – {{QLDcity|Old Talgai|Cunningham}}, [[Cunningham Highway]] <br /> Millmerran–Leyburn Road – north – {{QLDcity|Millmerran}}, Gore Highway
|notes=Road runs through Leyburn as Dove Street and then reverts to Toowoomba–Karara Road.
}}
{{QLDint
|LGA=
|LGAspan=
|location=Karara
|lspan=
|type=
|km=82.5
|Mile=
|road={{AUshield|R|42}} Cunningham Highway – northeast – {{QLDcity|Thane|Warwick}} <br /> – southwest – {{QLDcity|Gore|Inglewood}}
|notes=Southern end of Toowoomba–Karara Road (State Route 48).
}}
{{Jctbtm
|keys=trans
}}
==See also==
{{portal|Australian Roads|Queensland}}
* [[List of road routes in Queensland]]
* [[List of numbered roads in Queensland]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Road infrastructure in Queensland}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Toowoomba-Karara Road}}
[[Category:Roads in Queensland]]