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Trail guide
The Northern Rivers Rail Trail
Murwillumbah is the northern trailhead. Here is what the ride is actually like, how far it goes and where to stop.
The Northern Rivers Rail Trail
In short
The Northern Rivers Rail Trail runs about 24 kilometres from Murwillumbah south to Crabbes Creek, on the sealed corridor of the old Casino to Murwillumbah railway. It is gentle, sealed the whole way, and passes through Stokers Siding, Burringbar and Mooball. Allow around two hours each way at an easy pace. Bike and e-bike hire and one-way shuttles operate from both ends. Gallery Motel is five minutes from the Murwillumbah trailhead with free parking and room for bikes.
Where it starts
The northern trailhead is in Murwillumbah, by the old railway station. From there the trail runs south along the corridor of the closed Casino to Murwillumbah line, through cuttings, over restored trestle bridges and past the backs of farms you would never otherwise see.
Distances
| Section | Approx. distance | Easy pace |
|---|---|---|
| Murwillumbah to Stokers Siding | 8 km | 40 min |
| Stokers Siding to Burringbar | 8 km | 45 min |
| Burringbar to Mooball | 4 km | 20 min |
| Mooball to Crabbes Creek | 4 km | 20 min |
| Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek | 24 km | ~2 hr |
Distances are approximate and signage on the trail is the authority. Double them if you are riding back rather than taking a shuttle.
What the ride is actually like
Gentle, but not flat. Rail corridors were built for trains, so the grades never get steep, but there is a long steady pull toward the Burringbar range from whichever end you start. The surface is sealed for the whole Tweed section, so a hybrid or an e-bike is fine and you do not need a mountain bike.
The best of it is the middle: the cuttings through the range, the trestle bridges, and the run into Burringbar. Carry water. There is shade in patches and long stretches without it, and the valley gets hot from December through February.
Where to stop
- Stokers Siding: the first village out of Murwillumbah, with a general store.
- Burringbar: the usual turnaround point, with a cafe and a pub.
- Mooball: small, and known for the cow-print theme it commits to entirely.
- Crabbes Creek: the southern end of this section.
Bike hire and shuttles
In Murwillumbah, Valley E-bikes runs a fleet of about 70 e-bikes and asks for 24 hours' notice so they can have the right sizes charged and ready. There are further operators near Crabbes Creek at the southern end, and several run one-way shuttles so you only ride the direction you feel like.
E-bikes are popular for the full 24 kilometres and worth it if you are not a regular rider. Book ahead for weekends and school holidays; the trail has been busier every year since it opened.
Staying at the trailhead
Gallery Motel is five minutes from the Murwillumbah trailhead, with free on-site parking, so you can leave the car and the bike rack where they are. See rail trail accommodation for how we set riders up, or the things to do guide for the rest of the valley.
- Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre5 min walk
- Murwillumbah town centre5 min drive
- Northern Rivers Rail Trail5 min drive
- Mount Warning (Wollumbin)20 min drive
- Gold Coast Airport25 min drive
- Kingscliff & Cabarita beaches30 min drive
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Where to stay
Ten rooms, five minutes from town
King suite
- 1 king bed
- Sleeps 2
- 1 bathroom
- Kitchenette
- Lounge area
A king bed plus a lounge area. The largest room we have.
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Twin room
- 2 queen beds
- Sleeps 4
- 1 bathroom
- Kitchenette
Two queen beds in the one room. Sleeps four, so a family fits in a single room.
View this roomFAQs
Common questions
How long is the Northern Rivers Rail Trail?
The open Tweed section runs about 24 kilometres from Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek. A further section in the Richmond Valley between Casino and Bentley is also open, and more of the corridor is planned. Most people ride the Tweed section as a return trip or arrange a shuttle back.
Where does the rail trail start and end?
The northern trailhead is in Murwillumbah, near the old station. From there it runs south through Stokers Siding, Burringbar and Mooball to Crabbes Creek. You can join it at any of those villages, which is how most people break it up.
Is the rail trail flat?
Almost. It follows an old rail corridor, so grades are gentle by design, but it is not dead flat and there is a long steady climb toward the Burringbar range from either direction. The surface is sealed for the whole Tweed section.
How long does it take to ride?
Around two hours each way at a relaxed pace for the full 24 kilometres, longer if you stop. Murwillumbah to Stokers Siding and back is about 90 minutes and is the easy option.
Where can I hire a bike?
Valley E-bikes in Murwillumbah runs about 70 e-bikes and asks for 24 hours' notice. There are further operators at the southern end near Crabbes Creek, and several will shuttle you one way so you only ride the direction you want. Book ahead on weekends and in school holidays.
Can you walk the rail trail?
Yes, and plenty of people do, usually a section at a time. It is sealed, well graded and shared with cyclists. It is also open to horses on some sections.
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