Cycling the Northern Rivers Rail Trail
Something that has been on my bucket list for a while – cycling the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, came to fruition last year. Although, I’d planned to do the trail on several occasions, Mother Nature had other ideas after experiencing some inclement weather for what seemed months.
It was my daughter’s birthday, the weather was perfect – not too hot or too cold, so we decided to rent a couple of eBikes and see if this trail lived up to it’s reputation.
Where is the Northern Rivers Rail Trail
The Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail is accessible from several towns along what was the old rail line between Murwillumbah and Byron Bay in far Northern New South Wales. At this stage the trail terminates at Crabbes Creek, with the next section between here, Mullumbimby and Byron Bay due for completion in the coming year or so.
Murwillumbah – Beginning of Rail Trail
Our bike ride began at the Murwillumbah Train Station. We collected our eBikes from a local hire business and after a quick run through on the workings of the eBikes, we set off along the trail. We cycled through some cane fields and farmland on what was once the old rail line between Murwillumbah and Lismore.
The Lismore to Muwillumbah Railway was first used in 1894 as a means of transporting fresh produce from the region. As well as providing a passenger service between Sydney and Murwillumbah, the railway transported produce, such as butter, cream, corn, bananas, sugar, and livestock such as pigs.
For many years a train also left Murwillumbah every Sunday for tourists during summer, picking up passengers from all stations for a day in Byron Bay. But sadly, rail services to and from Murwillumbah were discontinued in 2004.
Murwillumbah is a regional town located on the Tweed River in the fertile land of the Tweed Valley. The ever imposing Mount Warning (Wollumbin) overlooks the town and is always present. The town is surrounded by lush farmlands of mainly sugar cane, dairy farms and fruit orchards.
If you have time before or after your bike ride, Murwillumbah town centre and its art deco style buildings are worth checking out as well as some of the fresh food markets, local arts and crafts, trendy cafes and tranquil riverside location.
Tweed Regional Gallery
The first point of interest on the rail trail is the Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Ollie Art Centre, that is set amongst lush fields and rolling hills just off Tweed Valley Way. We made the decision to leave this for the return trip as we wanted to get going on our bike ride.
The gallery is definitely worth checking out with a rotating roster of exceptional artworks being exhibited here throughout the year. The Margaret Olley artworks are also of importance to art lovers, as she grew up in the region and her work portrays the beauty of the Tweed Valley. Her studio cottage also takes up a substantial space within the gallery and reveals where this talented painter lived and produced her exceptional paintings in both watercolour and oils.
There is also a lovely restaurant within the gallery where you can enjoy a coffee or a bite to eat. The views from this verandah restaurant are breathtaking and is well worth waiting for at the end of your ride.
Dunbible
We rode through this tiny hamlet in the blink of an eye. Back in the day, Dunbible was a train stop for the surrounding farm community of mainly dairy farmers. There is a creek here with an interesting heritage bridge crossing the Dunbible Creek.
Stokers Siding
Our first stop at 8.3 kilometres was at the small town of Stokers Siding and Hosanna Farmstay. This farm property boasts lots of friendly farm animals; a cafe – where we enjoyed a cappuccino; and accommodation that ranges from luxe homestead accommodation to campsites, cabins or huts.
You can also purchase a day pass and chill out here for the day engaging in farm activities like feeding the animals, swimming in the dam or having fun on the waterslide. There are plenty of picnic spots available at the farm as well.
The village of Stokers Siding has a few shops and galleries, including the Stokers Siding Pottery that houses a working print studio with art gallery, and the Verandah Tearoom located in the old railway station.
Burringbar
We resumed our ride through some picturesque countryside and started to notice the scenery becoming more vegetated. We were riding through the Burringbar Ranges that rise to an elevation of 401 metres at it’s highest peak at Mount Burringbar.
The region was prolific in the early 1900s for its timber industry and Australian red cedar trees. The timber getters hauled the massive logs out of the rainforest slopes with the help of bullock teams that were taken for loading onto trains at Stokers Siding railway station.
A big highlight of our cycling adventure was the Burringbar Range tunnel that connects the villages of Stokers Siding and Burringbar. The tunnel is approximately 517 metres long and is very dark, dank and spooky. You definitely need to put your light on to ride through the tunnel.
Burringbar itself retains its small village charm and is a great place for a small break with a general store, cafe, art gallery, vintage store, along with roadside fruit stalls.
Just up the road, Tweed Valley Whey is also worth a stop, selling gourmet cheeses which are produced on the farm.
Mooball
You literally can’t miss Mooball (pronounced Mowball)! The black and white cow theme throughout the village is abundant and it has a few places to stop to eat and drink. You can either visit the Victory Hotel or the Moo Moo Roadhouse, that features a huge oversized motor bike located opposite.
This town is a very popular spot for Sunday drivers and motorbike riders. It’s location amidst rolling green hills and farmland makes it a real country escape from the city.
Crabbes Creek – End of Rail Trail
The Rail Trail comes to an abrupt end at Crabbes Creek. If you wish to check out the small village from the Rail Trail it connects to the village via a winding path going under the Tweed Valley Way.
The creek runs from Yelgun ridge down to Wooyung and is surrounded by fertile farmlands of dairy, cane and banana plantations.
Our Northern Rivers Rail Trail adventure was a fantastic bike ride through stunning scenery, ever-changing landscapes and interesting little villages. I would highly recommend this trail to everyone, whether you do it on foot, ride a bike, a horse or take the easy option of hiring an eBike. There is something for everyone on this fascinating trail.
For more adventures and day trips in the Northern Rivers read my post Touring The Tweed Valley.
So pleased you enjoyed your ride Kathy. It’s a great use of the old railway line and so many people are out using it these days. We had a great time when we visited the area too and my father’s family came from Murwillumbah so it was extra special.
Thank you Deb. I remember that you did this bike ride a while ago. I had been wanting to do it for ages but the weather was not kind every time we planned for it. I think the ride is fantastic and I can’t wait for the next section to open. It will make it even more interesting and exciting. It’s such beautiful countryside in this part of Northern NSW.