Northern Rivers Rail Trail

If you’re looking for a fun family day out, packed with nature, creative play, tasty food and farmyard animals, look no further than the new Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail. 

This flat and smooth trail is 24km long from end to end – Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek – and is perfect for relaxed cycling or walking. You can enjoy the full trail or explore it in shorter sections, depending on how energetic the kids are or how much time you have. 

Read on for our guide to having a great family-friendly day out on Australia’s newest rail trail, with lots of rest and play stops along the way. 

Northern Rivers Rail Trail Itinerary

Start your day at the beautifully restored Murwillumbah Station, a heritage building that is the official trail head and also home to a Visitor Information Centre staffed by friendly and knowledgeable volunteers. 

You can rent all kinds of bikes here from the expert team at Murwillumbah Cycles, from fast e-bikes to traditional bikes for all ages. 

Kitted up and ready to roll, head out with your crew and hit the trail heading south, immediately surrounded by lush green landscapes and stunning mountain views. 

You can park and lock up your bikes at the Tweed Regional Gallery stop, taking a short walk up to this stunning art space that has exhibitions all year around. There are creative kids activities during school holidays and within the incredible Margaret Olley Art Centre are plenty of interactive things for kids to do. 

On your way again, cross over the restored Dunbible Creek Bridge and pedal along to the small town of Stokers Siding. 

Make a stop here at Hosanna Farmstay to experience farm life up close and enjoy a refreshing swim in the dam. Children will be excited to feed the friendly menagerie of animals while the farm’s cafe will have you refuelled and ready for the next leg. 

Continue on through the Burringbar Range Tunnel, an impressive 524m long tunnel that is an adventure in itself! Be sure to keep the family together and to the left of the path with bike lights turned on. 

As you ride over restored bridges and alongside historic ones, you’ll feel transported back in time and feel a sense of the area’s rich history. 

Keep your eyes out for signs to Tweed Valley Whey Farmhouse Cheeses, a dairy farm that makes a range of delicious artisan cheeses. Sample some of your favourites and buy some to snack on later. 

Arriving into Burringbar, take a break to browse the jam-packed vintage shelves of Heath’s Old Wares & Collectables before enjoying a relaxed lunch at The Barn, a local favourite with a menu to satisfy all taste buds in the family. 

 

After lunch, ride on to Mooball through a tall, cooling avenue of pine trees to complete the ride. You can drop off your bikes at Murwillumbah Cycle’s Mooball store and refresh with a cold drink at Moo Moo Roadhouse or the Victory Hotel, great spots to unwind and share stories of your day out on the trail together as a family!

Wanting a lift back to your car? Bus shuttle services are available from Bike Hire operators including Murwillumbah Cycles.

Plan your family day out on the Northern Rivers Rail Trail at visitthetweed.com.au