Northern Rivers Rail Trail

In the far north-east of New South Wales, the old Murwillumbah railway line once wound through the Northern Rivers region, linking the Tweed, Byron and Richmond districts. Trains stopped running in May 2004. Two decades later, the line is being reborn as the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, one of the most anticipated new rail trails in Australia.

The trail is still growing, section by section. The open parts already offer some of the most scenic rail trail riding in the country: lush green hills and farmland, historic bridges, dark railway tunnels with glowworms and views of the mountain Wollumbin. This guide covers the open sections, what's planned, and how to plan a ride.

Trail overview

The Northern Rivers Rail Trail is a multi-use rail trail for walking and cycling, with horses permitted on certain small sections. It follows the former Murwillumbah railway line. Completed sections run through the Tweed and Richmond Valley local government areas, and the trail has been extended into Lismore, with further sections in Byron Shire and Lismore planned. When completed, the trail will be 132 km long.

The open sections

Section 1: Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek

This 23 km section opened in 2023 and is the most popular part of the trail. It starts at the heritage-listed Murwillumbah railway station and passes through Dunbible, Stokers Siding, Burringbar, Mooball and Crabbes Creek in the Tweed Shire.

According to Wikipedia, the section uses 18 railway bridges and passes through two railway tunnels: the Burringbar Range Tunnel and the Hulls Road Tunnel. The tunnels are habitat for microbats and glowworms and are kept dark so as not to disturb them. Visitors are asked to bring torches and dismount when passing through. Views of Mount Warning (Wollumbin) can be seen along long stretches of the track.

Section 2: Casino to Bentley

This 13.4 km section opened in March 2024 in the Richmond Valley Council area. It starts at the Old Casino railway station and ends at the historic Bentley Bridge.

Section 3: Bentley to Lismore and beyond

The section from Bentley to Lismore (16.3 km) opened in December 2024, linking Casino to Lismore by trail. A further 20.9 km section from Lismore to Booyong was at the planning and approval stage, according to Wikipedia.

Section 4: Booyong to Crabbes Creek

The remaining sections, mostly in Byron Shire, will complete the trail. Several have been approved in principle and await funding. The section between Byron Bay and Mullumbimby has been politically contentious, and part of the formation is used by a tourist train in Byron Bay. In February 2026, Byron Shire Council voted to complete the rail trail. Check the official website for the latest progress.

Planning your ride

Which section?

For first-time visitors, the Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek section is the highlight, with its tunnels, bridges and mountain views. It works well as a day ride, out and back or one way with a shuttle. The Casino to Lismore sections make a longer, quieter ride through the Richmond Valley.

Our ride planner lets you enter a custom distance for any section.

Bikes

Check the official website for current surface details for each section. A hybrid, gravel or mountain bike is a versatile choice for rail trails. E-bikes are popular, and bike hire is available in some trail towns.

Tunnels

Bring a good light for the tunnels and be ready to dismount and walk through. Keep noise down and don't shine lights at the ceilings, to protect the glowworms and microbats.

Getting there

Murwillumbah is in the Tweed Valley, inland from the Gold Coast and Tweed Heads. Casino and Lismore are in the Richmond Valley, inland from Ballina and Byron Bay. Consider shuttle services for one-way rides.

Seasons and safety

The Northern Rivers has a subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers, frequent summer storms and mild winters. Autumn, winter and spring are generally the most comfortable seasons for riding. The region is prone to flooding, so check the official website and flood warnings, especially after heavy rain.

• Helmets are compulsory in New South Wales.
• Heat and humidity: carry plenty of water in summer.
• Road crossings: take care where the trail crosses roads.
• Passing distance: on roads, NSW drivers must leave at least 1 m when passing a cyclist where the limit is 60 km/h or less, and 1.5 m above that.
• Wildlife: watch for snakes in warm weather.

Read our road rules and safety guide.

Before you go

The Northern Rivers Rail Trail is still being built, so information changes quickly. Before you ride, check the official trail website for which sections are open, any temporary closures after storms or floods, trailhead parking, toilets and water, and any rules on e-bikes, dogs and horses. If you're combining sections, remember they are not yet connected end to end: the Tweed section and the Richmond Valley and Lismore sections are separate rides, with a gap in between that will eventually be filled by the Byron Shire sections.

For the Tweed section, a good plan is to start at Murwillumbah station, ride south through the tunnels to Crabbes Creek and return, or arrange a shuttle for a one-way ride.

Riding with kids

The Tweed section's tunnels, bridges and mountain views make it a memorable family ride. Choose a short out-and-back section, plan stops at the villages along the way, and make sure every child has a properly fitted helmet and their own light for the tunnels. Remind children to dismount and walk quietly through the tunnels to protect the glowworms and microbats.

Supporting the trail

The Northern Rivers Rail Trail is a major investment in regional communities. Spending money in trail villages, respecting neighbouring properties and following the trail rules all help the project succeed and grow.

Local visitor information centres in Murwillumbah, Casino and Lismore can help with maps and current trail news.

Key points

The Northern Rivers Rail Trail follows the former Murwillumbah railway line and will be 132 km long when completed. The 23 km Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek section, opened in 2023, features 18 bridges, two tunnels with glowworms and microbats, and views of Wollumbin. Sections from Casino to Bentley and Bentley to Lismore opened in 2024, and Byron Shire sections are still to come. Bring a torch, check flood warnings and confirm which sections are open before you go.

Related guides

Compare the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail over the border in Queensland, and read our road rules and safety guide.