Northern Rivers Rail Trail Named One of NSW’s Major Tourism Experiences
Gold at the NSW Tourism Awards marks a new chapter for the growing regional attraction
10 November 2026
The Northern Rivers Rail Trail has won Gold in Major Tourist Attractions at the 2026 NSW Tourism Awards, marking a significant new chapter in the trail’s rapid growth as a leading regional visitor experience.
The Rail Trail was also recognised in Excellence in Accessible Tourism, receiving Silver in its first year entering the category.
The awards were announced at the NSW Tourism Awards Gala at ICC Sydney on Monday 9 November.
The Gold comes in the Northern Rivers Rail Trail’s first year competing in Major Tourist Attractions, following its annual users surpassing 100,000 and moving the trail into a new category for 2026.
Northern Rivers Rail Trail Regional Lead Dean Cooper said the result reflects how quickly the trail has become part of the Northern Rivers user experience.
“To move into Major Tourist Attractions and win Gold in our first year is an extraordinary achievement.”
“User numbers tell us the Rail Trail has grown, but what we’re most proud of is what sits behind that growth. People aren’t simply travelling along the trail. They’re stopping in our towns and villages, discovering local businesses and experiencing the landscape, heritage and character of the Northern Rivers,” Dean said.
The result follows another year of investment in the guest experience, with continued improvements to accessibility, wayfinding, visitor information and connections with local tourism businesses and communities.
Importantly, 2026 also marked the Rail Trail’s first entry into Excellence in Accessible Tourism, recognising years of work towards making the experience more inclusive and welcoming for people with different abilities and mobility needs.
“Growth is exciting, but we want it to be meaningful,” Dean said.
“As more people discover the Rail Trail, we have a responsibility to keep improving the experience and make sure more people have the opportunity to be part of it.”
Being named a finalist itself represents a significant achievement. The 2026 NSW Tourism Awards attracted 210 nominations across 30 categories, with finalists undergoing a comprehensive judging process involving multiple judges and consumer review scores.
Dean said the Gold belongs to everyone who contributes to the experience.
“Our team may be accepting the award, but the Rail Trail is the result of an enormous collective effort across our member councils, operators, communities and supporters.”
“And then there are the users. Every person who rides, walks, rolls, explores, stops for coffee, stays overnight or tells someone else about their experience is helping write the next chapter of the Rail Trail.”
Gold also earns the Northern Rivers Rail Trail the opportunity to progress to the 2026 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in Geelong, Victoria, on 19 February 2027, where tourism’s leading experiences from around Australia will be recognised.
“We’re incredibly proud to be taking the Northern Rivers story to the national stage,” Dean said.
For interviews, contact 0429 267 735 or email mediaTSC@tweed.nsw.gov.au