The Northern Rivers Rail Trail is a multi-use rail trail in Northern Rivers region of New South Wales which is a walking and cycling trail. [1] It runs through the Tweed and Richmond River Shires and, as at June 2024, is undergoing further extension into areas of Byron Bay and Lismore. [2] When completed, the trail will be 132 km long and it follows the Murwillumbah railway line which ceased train services in May 2004. [3] [4]
This section opened in 2023 and is 23 km long and passes through the following towns and villages: [2] [3]
This section uses 18 railway bridges and passes through 2 railway tunnels; these are the Burringbar Range Tunnel and the Hulls Road Tunnel. These tunnels are a habitat for microbat and glowworms and are kept dark so as not to disturb them; visitors are asked to bring torches and dismount when passing through these tunnels. [5] [6] [7]
Views of Mount Warning (Wollumbin) can be seen along long stretches of this track. [3]
This section opened in March 2024 and is 13.4 km long and it passes through: [8] [9]
This section will run from Eltham to Bentley and is due to open in late 2024; it will be 31.8 km long. [9] [10]
This section will run from Yelgun to Eltham and is currently in the planning and approval stage; it will be 62.8 km long. [9] [11]