We Ride The Northern Rivers Rail Trail
Nestled in the lush, subtropical landscapes of northern New South Wales, the Northern Rivers Rail Trail (NRRT) is high on the bucket list of many travelling bike riders – here we find out why.
Spanning four local government areas, Tweed, Byron, Richmond Valley, and Lismore, the trail is a joint venture that has been both exciting and frustrating for those eager to ride its full length.
The backstory of this relatively new trail, which opened in late 2023 and will eventually stretch 131 km, is one of perseverance and vision. It all began over 140 years ago when, in the 1880s, a railway line connecting Lismore to Murwillumbah was first proposed.
Designed to facilitate agricultural exports previously delayed by unpredictable sea transport across the Tweed River bar, the line evolved into a freight and passenger service, ultimately linking Murwillumbah with Sydney.
The Murwillumbah platform and associated buildings were constructed in the 1920s, along with a high-set water tank and a 60-foot turntable.
A Trail Revived
Upgrades to the Pacific Highway and evolving transport habits led to the decline of rail travel. The 100-year-old rail corridor was decommissioned in 2004 and lay dormant for nearly 20 years before reopening in 2023 as a recreational trail.
The Tweed section covers 24 km from Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek, a truly memorable ride with numerous stop-off points, historical signs, cafés, shops, and attractions. Highlights include lush green valleys, gently undulating hills, crystal-clear streams, timber bridges, and views of Mount Warning. The sub-tropical climate makes the trail rideable year-round, though autumn and spring offer the most comfortable conditions.
Today, visiting Murwillumbah feels like pedaling back in time – the water tank still stands, and the turntable remains in surprisingly good shape. The once-bustling waiting rooms have now come full circle, repurposed as a thriving bike rental business, cafe and visitor information centre.
On my first visit, the Murwillumbah station was bustling with riders of all ages and abilities. Kids on tiny BMXs tagging along with parents, a tour group on e-bikes, a young couple on flat-bar roadies, and middle-aged enthusiasts ticking another rail trail off their list. I was there with my uncle, a youthful 70-something Murwillumbah local who rides the trail twice a week with mates.
“I don’t know if it does us any good,” joked Uncle Des. “It’s all about riding to Burringbar for coffee and cakes at Teakwood … but it’s a lot of fun.”
I beg to differ on the “not doing us any good” part. Given that he rides 10 hilly kilometres from his hinterland home to the start of the trail, then 50 km return, it’s a solid ride.
Highlights and Hidden Gems
Wildlife encounters are common – wallabies grazing pathside, kingfishers darting between trees, and the occasional koala high in the eucalyptus canopy. Then there are the ever-present Bellbirds and whipbirds that provide a natural backing track for the journey.
A key highlight is the Burringbar Range Tunnel, a 524-metre-long former railway tunnel that offers a thrilling and refreshingly cool experience. This dark, echoing passage is a favorite among riders and walkers alike, adding a sense of adventure to the trip. Pro tip: Bring a charged light for your bike!
The trail also connects to vibrant towns and villages, including Mooball, home to Uncle Des’s longtime bike mechanic and mate, Jeff Harris. A former competitive rider and bike shop owner of 25 years, Harris relocated his well-established business to Mooball, setting up shop in the town’s former general store. Running a busy bike hire service, Harris is a passionate advocate for the NRRT, seeing it as a long-term tourism drawcard for the region.
Leaving the bike shop, we rolled on, passing through another tunnel and engaging in some friendly gravel-bike competition. But all good things come to an end, and we came to an abrupt halt in a shady gully past the remnants of Crabbes Creek Station.
Uncle Des and I had arrived at the temporary end of the line. We dismounted to survey the overgrown rail corridor ahead – rotting sleepers, heavy railway iron, and strangling lantana. Standing there, it was clear just how much effort goes into transforming an abandoned railway line into a rail trail.
The return ride to Murwillumbah was just as enjoyable, with a mandatory detour to Teakwood Cafe for coffee and a mind-blowing chocolate brownie. Over-energised, we continued back, soaking in the rural vistas, trackside fruit stalls, interpretive signs, and sensational bike riding. Back at Murwillumbah, we rolled into the packed purpose-built car park, a hive of activity filled with vehicles sporting bike racks – proof of the old adage: “Build it, and they will come.”
Farewell, but Not Goodbye
That trip was in late 2024, and over the summer, I watched my social feeds fill with news, photos, and videos of the freshly opened third stage of the trail. Skipping the yet-to-be-funded Byron section – the ‘missing link’ – the Lismore to Bentley stretch opened in December. Immediately popular, I knew I’d be back soon.
By early February, with the heat easing, conditions were perfect for both a first ride of the new Lismore to Casino section and a return trip to Stage 1 with Uncle Des.
Lismore To Casino Section
Thick mist enveloped Lismore and surrounds that sleepy Saturday morning. Fortunately, I later realised, the low level moisture was doing a wonderful job of insulating the freshly finished rail trail from the increasing heat of the day. I was aboard a Chapter 2 Kaha, a performance gravel bike fitted with Black Inc carbon wheels and 40mm ‘Thundero’ gravel tyres from Tufo. The bike, wheel and tyre combination was perfectly suited for this first-class 25km length of pristine rail trail infrastructure.
“If Byron Shire sort themselves out and speed up work on ‘the missing link’, I thought while thundering along the trail, ‘this will be right up there as one of Australia’s greatest rail trail experiences.”
Spanning two Local Government Areas and connecting the regional hubs of Lismore with Casino, this section is quintessential rail trail. The facilities are fresh, new, well planned, perfectly placed and in keeping with the beauty of the rural region. The Bentley Road car park, bathroom facilities, water tanks and slow point where the trail cuts across a busy regional road, are sights to behold.
From here on, the trail changes to white gravel and is reminiscent of Strade Bianchi, the white roads of Tuscanny, as the trail traverses undulating countryside that’s reminiscent of rural France. The trail takes visitors up a challenging climb to bypass Naughtons Pass – an old abandoned tunnel that houses a colony of rare bats – before rewarding riders with a blacktop bitumen descent toward the final ‘white road’ sector into Casino.
The trail comes to a finish at Casino’s old railway station, around a kilometre from the centre of town. Thirsty and hungry, but also feeling an immediate increase in heat once I’d come to a halt, a quick breakfast stop was in order. After a few minutes’ ride into town, the first cafe I saw happened to be one of the standouts. After a top-quality coffee and scrumptious bacon and egg roll at the Walker Street Cafe, it was back on the bike for the return run to Lismore.
It’s funny how any return ride always seems so much quicker, but despite the building heat and the fact that the fog had quickly burnt off, the undulating 25 km back was a blast. That said, the steep climb back up Naughton’s Gap was a challenge with the rapidly rising temperature, but the view from the top – and a brief break in the perfectly placed rest area – made the climb a highlight of the overall experience.
Another highlight of that Saturday morning Lismore to Casino ride was the sheer number of riders out on the trail. From keen young kids to couples on e-bikes and flat-barred roadies, to a couple of hard-core gravel enthusiasts, to mountain bikers, and riders from all persuasions, young and old, it sure was a social and popular place to be.
The Missing Link and the Future of the NRRT
The Northern Rivers Rail Trail is poised to become a world-class cycling destination, drawing riders from across Australia and beyond. However, its full potential remains unrealised until the missing Byron Shire section is completed.
Pinning down an opening date remains a challenge, but after nearly two years of planning and approvals, further details are expected soon. As the old shampoo ad says, ‘it won’t happen overnight, but it will happen.’
Completing the Byron Shire section won’t be without its challenges. Building a safe,high-quality rail trail is more than just removing old rail track and sleepers, and resurfacing the path. One major obstacle is creating a safe bypass over or under the M1, the main north/south highway.
Rail trails are booming across Australia, delivering economic boosts, spurring new businesses, and attracting visitors. The 28km Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek section alone saw nearly 80,000 bike riders in its first six months – and numbers continue to grow.
For now, locals and visitors can enjoy two distinct but equally impressive sections of the trail. The dream of a 130km, car-free ride through New South Wales’ stunning sub-tropical countryside remains on the horizon – but it’s getting closer.
Fast Facts
The Northern Rivers Rail Trail is being developed in stages across four Local Government Areas:
- Tweed Shire (24 km) – Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek, opened 1 March 2023.
- Richmond Valley (13 km) – Casino to Bentley, opened 23 March 2024.
- Lismore (37.2 km) – Bentley to Lismore (16.3 km) opened 14 December 2024; Lismore to Booyong (20.9 km) remains unfunded.
- Byron Shire (54 km) – Booyong to Yelgun. Planning and approval underway, and the funding announcement is pending.
The Team Behind The Trail
To find out more about the trail we spoke with Dean Cooper, Regional Lead, of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.
Ride On: The NRRT recently won a major state tourism award – can you tell us more about this?
Dean Cooper: Winning Gold for Best Tourist Attraction in NSW was an incredible honour and a reflection of the enthusiasm and passion our community, visitors, and trail users have for this unique experience. In just the first year, the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail welcomed over 200,000 visitors – a testament to how much people have embraced the trail as a place for recreation, connection, and adventure.
The journey to this milestone has been nothing short of inspiring. From the moment we opened, we saw a mix of locals rediscovering their backyard and visitors travelling from across Australia to experience the trail first-hand. The combination of natural beauty, accessibility, and thoughtful infrastructure has made it a must-visit destination, and seeing the trail become such a success so quickly has been incredibly rewarding.
RO: While there it was encouraging to see it busy on a weekday. Who is the trail attracting, and what are the common usage habits?
DC: While weekends remain our busiest times, we’re seeing strong weekday usage, particularly on Mondays and Fridays—which suggests that long weekends and flexible travel are becoming popular trends for trail users.
The beauty of the NRRT is that it attracts such a diverse mix of users. We have keen cyclists, families out for a scenic ride, walkers and runners (individuals and groups) enjoying the natural beauty, and even commuters using the trail for their daily journeys. The introduction of Cycling Without Age, an initiative providing accessible experiences, has also opened the trail up to even more people, ensuring it truly is a place for everyone.
RO: Can you tell us about the feedback you are receiving from locals and visiting trail users, plus businesses along the route?
DC: The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive! With over 300 Google reviews averaging above 4.8 stars and a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice award in our first year, we can confidently say people are loving the trail experience.
Beyond visitor feedback, we’re seeing fantastic local stories emerge. One standout example is the local high school investing in 30 e-bikes for students, making active transport a reality for more young people. Local businesses have also embraced the trail, with many installing bike racks and adjusting their offerings to cater to trail users.
The trail isn’t just about recreation; it’s connecting communities in new and meaningful ways. We’ve heard stories of kids now having a safe and scenic route to school, and neighbours enjoying easier access between towns.
RO: There’s some impressive infrastructure along the way. Can you elaborate on the user facilities?
DC: Through our Business Connect program, visitors can easily book accommodation, discover great places to eat and drink, and even hire bikes, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience on the trail.
To enhance the user experience, we’ve installed a range of practical amenities along the trail, including bike fix-it stations equipped with tools for quick adjustments and repairs, water bubblers to keep riders and walkers hydrated, bike pumps to ensure tyres are properly inflated for a smooth ride, sunscreen and sanitiser stations for added convenience and safety, and boot cleaners to help prevent the spread of weeds and maintain the environmental integrity of the trail.
These facilities make it easier for all users—whether riders, walkers, or runners—to enjoy the trail safely and comfortably. We encourage visitors to check our website before heading out to see where key amenities are located and to explore local businesses that support and enhance the rail trail experience.
RO: Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek and Lismore to Casino offer world-class infrastructure, but what can you tell us about the ‘missing link’, the Byron Shire section?
DC: The Northern Rivers Rail Trail is being developed in stages across four local government areas, with the remaining ‘missing link’ spanning both Lismore City Council and Byron Shire Council.
Tweed Shire Council was the first to open its section, Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek (24 km), in March 2023. Richmond Valley Council followed in March 2024, opening the Casino to Bentley section (13.4 km). A major milestone was reached in December 2024, when Lismore City Council opened the Lismore to Bentley Bridge section (16.3 km), connecting to the existing Bentley to Casino section. This now provides a continuous 29.7 km journey from Casino to Lismore. Lismore City Council is actively working to secure funding for the next stage, Lismore to Booyong (20.9 km), which will extend the trail further north.
Byron Shire Council is responsible for the Booyong to Crabbes Creek section (54.2 km). In August 2023, the council committed to progressing planning for two key segments: Mullumbimby to Crabbes Creek, and Byron Bay Station through Bangalow to Booyong.
As these missing sections move through planning and funding stages, the vision of a fully connected rail trail from Casino to Murwillumbah will become a reality. Once complete, this will unlock even greater opportunities for communities, businesses, and visitors to experience the Northern Rivers in a truly unique and sustainable way.
Say Cheese
“We get hordes of bike riders in; the rail trail has been so good for the business.”
These are the words of Kendy Rudge from Tweed Valley Cheeses, a 5th-generation dairy farm in the Tweed’s Buringbar Valley dairy farm with an additional 60-hectare block alongside the Northern Rivers Rail Trail at Mooball.
“The trail brings so many visitors,” she told us. “Individuals, families, day-trippers from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, plus lots of internationals.”
“Gelato is popular, particularly on the warmer days, plus we have a shade-covered courtyard out the back. Some people like to buy a cheese platter and a bottle of wine and while away the afternoon out there … it’s lovely looking over the valley,” she added.
“The trail is just getting busier and busier. There are lots of organised groups, some with up to 20 riders. It has become a huge part of our business.”
With space available for campers, the farm is listed on the HipCamp site and welcomes visitors with RVs and camper trailers. The Dairy farm is located in the Burringbar Valley, just north of Byron Bay. Burringbar is situated at the Tweed’s entranceway, also known as the ‘Heartland of Australia’s Green Cauldron’.
“I’ve only been here a year, and it’s great to see so many more people coming through,” continued Jendy.
“It’s only going to get bigger and bigger,” she added.
Contact the business via [email protected] or www.tweedvalleycheeses.com.au
Local Info + Bike Hire Options
A trip to the Northern Rivers Rail Trail isn’t complete without stopping in to see the friendly team at the Murwillumbah Visitor Information Centre. Located on the platform of the former Murwillumbah Railway Station, the centre is packed with local maps, guides, and information. Highly recommended!
Keen to ride the trail but don’t have your bike with you? Worry not, several top-notch local operators hire out a wide range of bikes and also offer guided trips and even picnic services.
Murwillumbah Visitor Information Centre
Murwillumbah Railway Station,
284 Tweed Valley Way, South Murwillumbah NSW 2484
(02) 6672 1340
Better By Bike Murwillumbah
Murwillumbah Railway Station
http://www.betterbybike.com.au
Valley E-bikes Murwillumbah Bike Hire
8 Railway Street South Murwillumbah NSW 2484 Australia
Pedals and Picnics
8 Railway St, South Murwillumbah
Beyond Byron e-Bikes
Moo Moo Roadhouse,
5889 Tweed Valley Way, Mooball
0402 992 759
Gallery – Northern Rivers Rail Trail
