Northern Rivers Rail Trail: A Murwillumbah Guide

For over a century, trains ran on the branch railway between Murwillumbah and the main north coast line. Passenger services ended in 2004, and for nearly two decades the corridor sat quiet — a ribbon of disused track through some of the most beautiful country in northern New South Wales. Then it was reborn. The Northern Rivers Rail Trail has turned that old formation into a sealed, shared-use path, and the section that starts in Murwillumbah has quickly become one of the standout things to do in the whole region.

Because it follows a railway line, the trail has something no purpose-built bike path can match: the gentle, steady gradients that steam trains needed. There are no brutal climbs. Instead you get sweeping curves, long easy straights, and a route that threads through farmland, rainforest, heritage bridges and a string of tiny villages you would never otherwise see. It is genuinely accessible — for confident cyclists, for families, for walkers, and for anyone on an e-bike.

This guide covers the Murwillumbah-to-Crabbes-Creek section in detail: what is along the route, how to plan a ride or a walk, what to bring, and how to build a proper Tweed Valley day around it.

The Tweed section at a glance

The Murwillumbah end of the rail trail is the 24-kilometre Tweed section, running south from Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek. It is built for shared use — walkers, runners and cyclists — with a surface that blends sealed sections with compacted gravel, and it is designed to be inclusive and accessible rather than a technical off-road track.

Ridden one way, the 24km is a comfortable half-day for most reasonably fit riders. Ridden as an out-and-back from Murwillumbah it becomes a 48km day, which is where e-bikes and shuttle services come into their own. Walkers almost always pick a single segment rather than the whole thing. There is no single "right" way to do the trail — and that flexibility is a big part of its appeal.

Trail highlights: Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek

Here is what you actually pass, roughly in order heading south from the Murwillumbah trailhead.

Walking versus cycling the trail

The trail works for both, but they are different experiences.

Cycling

Cycling is how most people tackle the full 24km. The railway gradients make it achievable for anyone with reasonable fitness, and a one-way ride to Crabbes Creek is a satisfying half-day. The big decisions are whether to ride one way (with a shuttle back) or out-and-back, and whether to use a standard bike or an e-bike.

Walking and running

Walkers and runners almost always choose a segment rather than the whole route. Murwillumbah to Stokers Siding makes an easy, pretty out-and-back. A short walk to experience the Burringbar Range Tunnel and turn around is another popular option. The sealed sections are smooth enough for prams, which makes parts of the trail genuinely family-friendly for all ages.

How to plan your ride

Getting there and parking

Murwillumbah is the obvious base — it is the northern trailhead, the largest town on the route, and has parking, food and bike hire in one spot. If you are visiting the Tweed Valley, our things to do in Murwillumbah guide covers how the rail trail fits alongside the rest of the region's attractions.

Bikes, e-bikes and shuttles

You do not need an e-bike — the gentle gradients make a standard bike perfectly manageable — but e-bikes are hugely popular here and make the full out-and-back far more relaxed. Bike and e-bike hire operators have set up around the trail since it opened, and several run shuttle services so you can ride one way and be driven back. Hire availability is tighter on weekends and during school holidays, so book ahead.

What to bring

Pack water, sun protection and a hat — much of the trail is open to the sky. Bring a bike light or torch for the Burringbar Range Tunnel. Carry snacks even though the villages have options, and check the forecast before you set out: the Tweed Valley can turn on heat and humidity, and the trail is more pleasant outside the hottest part of the day. Our Murwillumbah weather page is a quick way to check conditions.

Best time to ride

The cooler, drier months — roughly autumn through to early spring — are the most comfortable for a long ride, with mild temperatures and lower humidity. Summer is still doable, but start early and avoid the midday heat. After heavy rain, parts of any rail trail can be slower going, so a few clear days beforehand makes for the best surface. Early morning is the loveliest time on the trail: cool air, soft light on Wollumbin, and the villages just waking up.

The bigger picture

The Tweed section is part of a much larger project. A separate stretch between Casino and Lismore — close to 30 kilometres — is also open, and when the full Northern Rivers Rail Trail is complete it is set to run roughly 132 kilometres, linking communities across the region along the old rail corridor. For Murwillumbah, the trail has been a quiet success story: a piece of disused infrastructure turned into a genuine visitor drawcard and a healthy, free amenity for locals.

Make a day of it in Murwillumbah

The rail trail pairs naturally with the rest of what the town does well. Fuel up first with our guide to the best cafes in Murwillumbah, reward the ride with a meal from our best restaurants guide, and if you are travelling in to do the trail, our accommodation guide covers where to stay. For the full picture of the region, the things to do in Murwillumbah guide puts the rail trail alongside the gallery, the markets and the best Tweed Valley day trips.

Frequently asked questions