Places
If you’re looking to explore the Rail Trail by place, we’ve got you covered. You can discover everything from vibrant regional centres and historic railway towns to charming villages, and scenic countryside. Whether you’re seeking great food and drink, local history, natural beauty or a relaxing place to pause, every destination surrounding the Northern Rivers Rail Trail offers something unique to explore.
The Tweed
Boasting 37 kilometres of pristine coastline, verdant wetlands and forests, expansive farmland and the entire Tweed River basin, the Tweed is a nature lover’s paradise. The mountainous regions of the area contain three of Australia’s World Heritage-listed national parks, adding to the region’s natural charm. It is a truly stunning destination that showcases the first rays of sunshine to touch the Australian continent, centred around the breathtaking Wollumbin / Mount Warning.
The Tweed is situated within one of the world’s largest natural erosion calderas, making it a truly unique landscape. Renowned for its extraordinary biodiversity, the region contains the highest concentration of plant and animal species in New South Wales, creating an internationally significant environment that invites exploration and discovery.
To read a detailed history of the Tweed section of the railway, visit the Tweed Regional Museum.
Richmond Valley & Lismore
Stretching from Casino through Bentley and onto Lismore, the southern section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail winds through a landscape of fertile river plains, rolling farmland, historic villages and vibrant regional communities. Shaped by the Richmond River and its tributaries, this region has long been an important centre for agriculture, transport and community life in the Northern Rivers.
Visitors can explore the heritage streetscapes of Casino, discover the rural charm of Bentley, and experience the creative energy and resilience of Lismore. Along the way, the trail passes through scenic countryside, across historic railway bridges and alongside remnants of the former railway that once connected communities throughout the region.
Today, the southern section of Rail Trail offers a unique opportunity to experience the stories, landscapes and people that define the Richmond Valley and Lismore regions, while enjoying some of the Northern Rivers’ most picturesque rural scenery and rich railway heritage.
To learn more about the history of the Casino to Lismore railway corridor, visit the local museums and heritage collections throughout the Richmond Valley and Lismore regions.
