Project, construction and partners
Winding through some of the most spectacular countryside in Australia, the Northern Rivers Rail Trail will transform the scenic rail corridor into the region’s newest must-do experience for visitors and locals.
The Project
The rail trail will be a new shared recreational and nature trail connecting the Tweed Valley with Byron Shire, Lismore and Casino. The first 24 km section from Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek opened on 1 March 2023.
To be delivered in 4 stages, the 132 km rail trail is expected to draw thousands of visitors each year to explore and discover the natural beauty of the Northern Rivers.
Find out more about the Northern Rivers Rail Trail (PDF)
Construction and timelines
Section 1 – The Tweed: Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek 24 km (open from 1 March 2023)
The Tweed section of the Rail Trail is asphalt from the Murwillumbah Railway Station to the Tweed Regional Art Gallery & Margaret Olley Centre, and between Burringbar and Mooball stations. As it passes through the countryside, it will have a compacted gravel surface. Read more about surface and conditions.
The Rail Trail connects small villages with the larger hub of Murwillumbah, providing an alternate transport route for residents and visitors alike. When the entire Northern Rivers Rail Trail is complete, numerous rural centres will be connected to Murwillumbah, Byron Bay, Bangalow, Lismore and Casino. The rail trail will be free to use and provide a safe environment for walkers, cyclists and people using mobility aides to explore the region.
The Tweed section preserves the area’s railway heritage, with the rail trail incorporating the heritage-listed Murwillumbah Railway Station, 18 railway bridges and passing through 2 railway tunnels.
Funding: Construction of the Tweed section has been jointly funded by the NSW and Australian governments:
- $7.8 million NSW Government (Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund)
- $6.5 million Australian Government (Regional Jobs and Investment Packages Fund)
- + $600,000 NSW Government to cover the cost of operating and maintaining the section of rail trail for the first 3 years.
Northern Rivers Rail Trail Factsheet – The Tweed (PDF)
Section 2 – Richmond Valley: Bentley to Casino 13.4 km (under construction and opening early 2024)
The 13.4 km section at the western end of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail from Bentley to Casino has received government funding of $7.5 million from the Australian Government’s National Tourism Icons Program.
For more information and updates from Richmond Valley Council, visit their dedicated project page.
Northern Rivers Rail Trail Factsheet – Richmond Valley (PDF)
Section 3 – Lismore: Eltham to Bentley 31.8 km (funded and in planning phase)
Lismore City Council has secured funding for the 16.3 km South Lismore to Bentley section and work is underway to secure funds for the 15.5 km between Eltham and South Lismore.
For more information and updates from Lismore City Council, visit their dedicated project page.
Section 4 – Byron: Yelgun to Eltham 62.8 km (Planning and approval stage)
For more information and updates from Byron Shire Council, visit their dedicated project page.
Partners and roles
Bringing a project like this to life takes a big vision and a village.
Read more about the NRRT Supporters.
Rail Trail Patronage
The Northern Rivers Rail Trail has adopted TRAFx counters and technology on the Tweed section of the Rail Trail to collect, view and manage accurate user data. TRAFx was selected on the basis of its credibility within government agencies and their experience in parks and public lands management. There are numerous collection points along the Rail Trail and comprehensive algorithms at work to ensure the best accuracy. Additional sources of data collected, such as the Northern Rivers Rail Trail Guest Experience Survey, Google reviews, TripAdvisor reviews and qualitative feedback from Visitor Information Centres and local businesses, also support this data. New user data will be recorded monthly and it will be made available each quarter via the Northern Rivers Rail Trail website.
| Year to date (since March 1, 2023) | 108,829 trail users |
| Monthly average | 16,329 people |
| Weekly average | 3,726 people |
| Daily average | 532 people |
| Year to date (since March 1, 2023) | 108,829 trail users |
| Monthly average | 12,734 people |
| Weekly average | 2,907 people |
| Daily average | 415 people |
Monthly visitation
| July | August | September |
| 14,781 | 11,218 | 12,202 |
| Year to date (since March 1, 2023) | 70,628 trail users |
| Monthly average | 17,187 people |
| Weekly average | 3,966 people |
| Daily average | 567 people |
| Year to date (since March 1, 2023) | 19,068 trail users |
| Monthly average | 19,068 people |
| Weekly average | 4,306 people |
| Daily average | 615 people |
*The Rail Trail opened on 1 March, 2023.
Busiest days (highest to lowest): Sunday, Saturday, Friday, Wednesday, Thursday, Tuesday, Monday.
Busiest time: 9 am – 11 am
- Over 97% of Rail Trail users are very satisfied or satisfied with their overall experience on the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.
- Over 94% of Rail Trail users are likely to return to the Rail Trail.
- 6o% of Rail Trail users start their journey at the Murwillumbah Railway Station, with over 85% of users opting for round trips over a one-way journey.
- Rail Trail users have scored the Northern Rivers Rail Trail an average of 4.8 stars on Google Reviews and 4.6 stars on TripAdvisor.
- 2 – 5+ hours is the average time spent on the Rail Trail for over 80% of users.
