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Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek
Bentley to Casino
About the trail
The Northern Rivers Rail Trail is proposed to connect Murwillumbah, Byron Bay, Bangalow, Lismore and Casino.
When completed the trail will be 130 km long and pass through some of the most scenic countryside in New South Wales.
A drawcard for walkers, hikers, runners and cyclists, the trail follows the old North Coast railway line. It will offer a unique way to explore the region while helping to preserve the area’s history and heritage.
Click to view map of the rail trail
Tweed section: Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek
Latest news
Vegetation clearing along the Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek rail corridor is due to start on Monday 11 January 2021.
The vegetation clearing along and near the railway line, starting at Wooyung Road near Crabbes Creek and working north to the Murwillumbah Railway Station, will allow the four preferred construction companies to access and inspect the rail infrastructure to prepare their design and costings for the proposed rail trail.
A small six-tonne excavator with a mulcher / flail mowing head will be used to clear the weeds and vegetation, working from 7am to 5pm Monday to Saturday for about four weeks. Some weed-spraying work will follow across the same cleared area.
Latest media release: Preliminary works begin on Northern Rivers Rail Trail
The Tweed section of the rail trail will start in Murwillumbah and end in Crabbes Creek. It includes the heritage-listed Murwillumbah Railway Station and historic bridges.
- 24 km
- 18 historic railway bridges, including 5 heritage
- 2 tunnels
- scenic rural landscape
Connecting the larger hub of Murwillumbah to Tweed villages, the trail winds through Stokers Siding, Burringbar and Mooball. It will provide an off-road transport route for residents and visitors.
Passing through the countryside, the trail will be a gravel surface. The section between Murwillumbah Railway Station and the Tweed Regional Art Gallery will be asphalt.
Funding
Construction of the Tweed section of the rail trail has been jointly funded thanks to:
$7.8 million NSW Government
$6.5 million Australian Government
An additional $600,000 has been secured from the NSW Government to cover the cost of operating and maintaining the Tweed section of rail trail for the first 3 years.
Timeline and construction
Works are expected to start in early 2021. Design and construction is being managed by Tweed Shire Council.
Construction of the other sections of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail will be project managed and scheduled by their respective councils.
Video: Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek (2:30 mins)
Northern Rivers Rail Trail
Have your say
Learn more about the project and have your say at Your say Tweed.
Local councils working together
The completed trail will pass through 4 local government areas:
- Tweed Shire
- Byron Shire
- Lismore City
- Richmond Valley Shire
Bentley to Casino section
The Bentley to Casino section of the trail is likely to be constructed at the same time as the Tweed section, or soon after. Construction of this 13 km section of trail is being managed by Richmond Valley Council.
The Byron Bay and Lismore City sections are still in the early planning phase.
Brisbane Valley Rail Trail
Tourism on neighbouring Brisbane Valley Rail Trail (BVRT) is going from strength to strength. The BVRT is a great example of what can be achieved through community and government support.