Discover the Northern Rivers Rail Trail

The Northern Rivers Rail Trail is a scenic recreational trail built along a restored historic railway corridor in the Tweed Valley. The Tweed section stretches 24 km between Murwillumbah and Crabbes Creek, passing through picturesque countryside and small villages including Dunbible, Stokers Siding, Burringbar, and Mooball. Following the gentle path of the former railway line, the trail winds through rolling farmland, forests, and open valley landscapes, offering a relaxing way to experience the beauty of the Northern Rivers.

The trail features a combination of sealed paths and compacted gravel, making it perfect for cycling and accessible to a wide range of abilities. It also features historic railway bridges and tunnels carved through the mountainside, making it a unique and unforgettable experience.

Because the trail follows a former railway corridor, gradients are gentle and the surface is mostly smooth and easy to navigate making it welcoming for a wide range of visitors. The trail has been carefully designed to be accessible and inclusive.

Some features of the Tweed section include:

• A wide shared trail suitable for bikes, walkers and many mobility aids
• Mostly compacted gravel and sealed sections with gentle slopes
• Step-free access at major trail entry points including Murwillumbah
• Accessible toilets available at several locations along the trail, as outlined in the official rail trail facilities guide
• Options to explore shorter sections rather than riding the full distance
• E-bike hire available locally to make longer rides more comfortable

Visitors looking for extra support can also find adaptive cycling options such as electric trikes and supported rides through local hire providers along the trail. See local hire options below.

You can review the full Northern Rivers Rail Trail accessibility statement here.

Coolamon Station welcomes guests with a range of mobility and accessibility needs. We provide several features to help make your stay comfortable.

These features include:

• Step-free access to key accommodation areas
• Wheelchair-accessible bathroom with roll-in shower
• Accessible toilet facilities
• Wide doorways and circulation space
• Accessible parking close to the accommodation
• Level access to shared indoor and outdoor gathering spaces

If you have specific access requirements while planning your Rail Trail visit, feel free to get in touch before your stay. We’re here to help make your visit as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

The Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail stretches 24 km between Murwillumbah and Crabbes Creek. Depending on how far you ride and how often you stop, the trail can be enjoyed as a short outing or a full-day adventure.

You’ll glide through rolling farmland, cross historic bridges with beautiful valley views, pass through patches of shady forest, and roll into charming little villages perfect for a coffee stop or quick photo. The path is mostly smooth and flat, so it feels welcoming whether you’re on two wheels, taking it slow on foot, or even bringing your own horse for part of the journey.

And the best part? After a day breathing in that fresh country air, you’re only a short 15-minute drive back to the peaceful 105-acre paradise at Coolamon Station – where you can feed the animals, light the fire pit, and unwind with those gorgeous valley views. It’s the perfect blend of gentle exploration and proper rural relaxation.

Start at the beautiful heritage-listed Murwillumbah Railway Station, located just off Tweed Valley Way. At the trailhead, you’ll find accessible parking and amenities, along with picnic tables, sheltered seating, and The Platform Café. There are also bike facilities including a FixIt station and e-bike charging station.

This section offers a well-sealed path with an overall flat profile and gentle undulating terrain. It travels through rolling hills, wide farmland, and open countryside, adding a bit of adventure without any real challenge. The scenery features lush landscapes framed by iconic mountain backdrops that are classic to the Tweed Valley.

From Murwillumbah, the trail is sealed for the first few kilometres as it winds its way toward the renowned Tweed Regional Gallery. The Gallery Connection rest stop includes shelter, a picnic table and seating, bike racks, and a Rail Trail map. Around 6 km further on, you’ll reach the small village of Stokers Siding, a great natural turning point for a family ride. Many riders also take a short detour off the trail to Hosanna Farmstay for a coffee or picnic break.

When you’re ready, simply turn around and enjoy the return journey back to Murwillumbah at your own pace.

If you’re looking for more scenery and variety without committing the whole day, the Murwillumbah to Burringbar stretch is a great option.

Continuing past Stokers Siding, the trail winds through a beautiful mix of open farmland and shaded forest sections. This stretch includes one of the highlights of the Rail Trail — the impressive Burringbar Range Tunnel, a converted railway tunnel that extends for over 500 metres through the hillside. The tunnel is unlit, so it’s a good idea to bring a torch or bike headlight as you ride through. Look up along the roof and walls and you may spot thousands of tiny glow worms, whose soft blue-green light creates a unique and memorable experience inside the tunnel.

After emerging from the tunnel, about 15-20 mins down the track, you’ll reach the sweet village of Burringbar. Here you can find cafés, roadside fruit stalls and a few quirky vintage shops to explore. You can stop for a delicious platter at The Barn café, or taste some local cheeses at the Tweed Valley Cheese Factory.

For those who love a proper day in the saddle and want to experience the entire Tweed section, riding all the way to Crabbes Creek and back could be just the ticket

As you leave Burringbar, the trail opens into wide stretches of farmland, where you’ll pass sugarcane fields, grazing cattle, and quiet rural landscapes. The riding here is mostly flat with gentle undulations, making it a cruisy final stretch.

Along the way, you’ll cross a handful of restored heritage railway bridges that add a bit of character and a nice sense of the trail’s history, often spanning small creeks or low-lying wetlands. About halfway along, you’ll roll into the tiny village of Mooball, well known for its black-and-white cow theme. It’s a favourite stop for locals and visitors alike, with a café and pub where you can grab a coffee, a cold drink, or a bite to eat before continuing on.

Beyond Mooball, the trail becomes a little more shaded in parts, winding through pockets of greenery and alongside quiet creek lines as you approach Crabbes Creek. The end point has a peaceful, rural feel near the old station area, making it a great spot to pause before heading back or continuing your ride.

If you’re planning a one-way ride or simply don’t feel like turning around at Crabbes Creek, shuttle services are a really handy option.

Shuttle services are available along the Tweed section of the rail trail, offering flexible transfers between key access points such as Crabbes Creek, Burringbar, Mooball, Stokers Siding, and Murwillumbah. Riders can arrange one-way or return trips with bike transport included, making it easy to customise the ride to suit different fitness levels, timeframes, and starting points without worrying about the return logistics.

Local operators such as Valley E-Bikes Murwillumbah provide e-bike hire packages with optional shuttle support for one-way rides and return transfers, with pick-up and drop-off available at locations including Murwillumbah Station, Stokers Siding Station, Burringbar Station, Mooball Station, and Crabbes Creek General Store.

Shuttles typically need to be booked in advance (usually by the day before), and there are often set departure times like early morning transfers.

You don’t need to cycle the whole way to enjoy the rail trail. Many visitors simply walk shorter sections starting from Murwillumbah, taking their time to appreciate the peaceful countryside, historic bridges, and gentle valley views. Even a short stroll feels refreshing and gives you a lovely taste of what the trail is all about.

For a completely different perspective, horse riding is permitted on a designated 2.2 km section of the Tweed trail north of Burringbar heading toward Upper Burringbar. It’s a lovely, relaxed way to experience the rural scenery from the saddle.

The short zone has a mix of compacted gravel and sealed surface, with clear signage marking where you can ride. As the trail is shared with cyclists and walkers, just take it easy and give way appropriately so everyone stays safe and happy.

Guests at Coolamon Station are welcome to bring their own horses, making it easy to add a gentle trail ride to your country getaway.