Cyclists riding the Northern Rivers Rail Trail through the North Coast NSW hinterland

NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA

Explore the North Coast

Leave the coastline behind and follow the Northern Rivers Rail Trail through green hinterland, country towns and small villages.

Around 30 km from Gold Coast Airport Easy drive south
Best time to ride Year round
Average daytime temperature 21–30°C
Ride difficulty Easy to moderate
Getting here Car and bus

MORE THAN A RAIL TRAIL

Follow the trail through the Northern Rivers

The Northern Rivers Rail Trail follows the former Casino to Murwillumbah railway corridor, creating a cycling route through one of the North Coast’s most varied landscapes. The original vision extends for around 130 kilometres through the Tweed, Byron, Lismore and Richmond Valley areas.

Along the way are former railway stations, bridges and tunnels, rural landscapes, established towns and small hinterland villages. The Tweed section alone passes through Stokers Siding, Burringbar and Mooball, with views across the Tweed Caldera landscape and connections to surrounding natural attractions.

This is a place where the ride is only part of the experience.

SEE HOW THE REGION CONNECTS

One trail. Different ways to explore.

From Murwillumbah in the north to Casino in the south, the Northern Rivers Rail Trail was conceived as a route connecting communities rather than simply passing through them.

Explore individual sections, choose a ride that suits your day, or use the trail as the starting point for discovering more of the North Coast.

View route map
Map of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail from Murwillumbah to Casino via the Northern Rivers, NSW

EXPLORE THE TRAIL

Northern Rivers Rail Trail ride guides

Choose a section and explore at your own pace.

Northern Rivers hinterland near Murwillumbah, NSW

Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek

Ride through the Tweed hinterland past former railway infrastructure, farmland and villages including Stokers Siding, Burringbar and Mooball.

24 km Easy to Moderate
View ride guide
FUTURE TRAILTO BE CONSTRUCTED

Crabbes Creek to Lismore

This section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail has not yet been constructed. The proposed route will eventually connect the existing Tweed and Lismore sections through the Byron and Lismore hinterland.

Future sectionTBA
Future section
Lismore pie cart in the Northern Rivers, NSW

Lismore to Casino

Ride between Lismore and Casino through the rural landscape of the Richmond Valley, following the former railway corridor towards the historic Old Casino Railway Station.

29.7 km Easy to Moderate
Coming Soon

MORE THAN THE RIDE

Stop. Explore. Stay a little longer.

The Northern Rivers Rail Trail was designed to connect riders with what already makes this region worth visiting.

Green farmland and waterways across the Northern Rivers hinterland in North Coast NSW

Country towns and villages

Roll into small communities rather than riding around them. Burringbar, Mooball, Stokers Siding and Eltham are among the villages identified as natural stopping points along the wider trail corridor.

Cattle grazing in green pasture beneath the mountains of the Northern Rivers hinterland in NSW

Agriculture

Local food, drink and agricultural experiences connect the trail with the surrounding region.

Northern Rivers Rail Trail information sign at Murwillumbah in North Coast NSW

Rail heritage

The old railway is still part of the journey. Stations, bridges, tunnels and other infrastructure keep the North Coast’s railway history visible along the way.

Street art mural in Lismore, Northern Rivers NSW

Arts and creativity

Murwillumbah, Byron and Lismore are creative hubs, connecting the trail with galleries, artists and other creative experiences across the region.

Northern Rivers hinterland near Murwillumbah, NSW

STAY A LITTLE LONGER

Stay in Murwillumbah

Make Murwillumbah your base for exploring the Northern Rivers Rail Trail. Stay close to the trail, take your time through the Tweed hinterland and leave room to explore more of the region.

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links. This helps keep our ride guides and travel content free to use.

Railway tunnel on the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail

TAKE YOUR TIME

A trail made for exploring, not rushing

You could come here simply to ride.

But that would miss much of the point.

The Northern Rivers Rail Trail connects places that reward stopping: an old railway station, a country village, somewhere local to eat, a bridge or tunnel left behind by the railway, or simply a view across the hinterland.

Ride further when you want to. Stop when something catches your attention.

That is what exploring by bike is about.

READY TO RIDE

Find an ebike for the Northern Rivers Rail Trail

Explore ebike options for the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.

Fat tyre ebike for recreational rides and rail trails

Fat tyre ebike

Comfortable, stable and relaxed riding position. Great for coastal paths, rail trails and recreational riding.

  • Upright, relaxed riding position
  • Wide tyres for extra stability and comfort
  • Great for leisure rides and longer distances
Check availability
Step through ebike for comfortable recreational riding

Step through ebike

Easy mounting with a comfortable upright riding position. A popular option for recreational riding.

  • Easy to get on and off
  • Comfortable, upright position
  • Ideal for relaxed rides and longer distances
Check availability
Electric mountain bike for gravel trails and mixed surfaces

Electric mountain bike

Wider tyres and a more capable setup for gravel, trails and varied surfaces.

  • Wider tyres for extra grip
  • Suitable for mixed surfaces and off road sections
  • A more capable setup for varied terrain
Check availability
Cargo ebike with passenger seating and front cargo rack

Cargo ebike

Designed to carry additional loads and, where specifically equipped and permitted, passengers or children.

  • Carry extra load, and where equipped and permitted, passengers or children
  • Ideal for families or touring with more gear
  • A flexible and sustainable way to explore
Check availability

Ebikes shown are representative only. Bike types, models, passenger carrying equipment and availability vary by hire provider.

EXPLORE MORE

Things to do in the Northern Rivers

Make more of your time in the region with local attractions, activities and experiences beyond the trail.

Trip.com Explore Northern Rivers experiences

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission from bookings made through this link. This helps keep our ride guides and travel content free to use.

Attractions

Discover local landmarks and cultural experiences.

Food and drink

Explore dining, markets and local flavours.

Tours and activities

Find tours, experiences and things to do.

Cyclists riding through forest on the Northern Rivers Rail Trail in North Coast NSW

EXPLORE MORE BY BIKE

See where the trail takes you

Choose a section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, find an ebike and make the ride part of a bigger North Coast experience.