If youโre looking for a fun family adventure in The Tweed these school holidays, packed with nature, creative play, tasty food and farmyard animals, look no further than the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.
Explore the Tweed section of the trail by bike or on a relaxed walk and choose to experience the full trail, a flat and smooth 24km long from end to end, or explore it in shorter sections, depending on how energetic the kids are or how much time you have.
Read on for our guide to having a great family-friendly getaway discovering Australiaโs newest rail trail, plus tips on where to stay and what else to see and do for a truly memorable Tweed family holiday.
Northern Rivers Rail Trail starting point
Start your day at the beautifully restored Murwillumbah Railway Station, a heritage building that is the official trail head and also home to a Visitor Information Centre staffed by friendly and knowledgeable volunteers.
If you’re exploring the trail by bike but don’t have your own wheels you can hire all kinds of bikes from knowledgeable local cycling experts, from standard bikes and e-bikes to access-friendly options delivered to you.
Kitted up and ready to roll, head out with your crew and hit the trail heading south, immediately surrounded by lush green landscapes and stunning mountain views.
Explore the art spaces
Not far along the trail, you can park and lock up your bikes at the Tweed Regional Gallery stop. It’s a short walk up some steps to this stunning art space that has exhibitions all year around. There are creative activities for kids during school holidays and within the incredible Margaret Olley Art Centre you’ll find plenty of interactive play for the kids.
Experience farm life
On your way again, cross over the historic Dunbible Creek Bridge and pedal along to the small and sweet town of Stokers Siding.
Make a stop here at Hosanna Farmstay to experience farm life up close and enjoy a refreshing swim in the dam. Children will be excited to feed the friendly menagerie of animals while the farmโs cafe will have you refuelled and ready for the next leg.
Venture through tunnels and across bridges
Continue on through the remarkable Burringbar Range Tunnel, an original railway tunnel that’s an impressive 524m long tunnel and an adventure in itself! The tunnel is a two-way ride so be sure to keep the family together and to the left of the path with bike lights turned on.
As you ride over restored bridges and alongside historic ones, and stop to read about the region’s First Nations stories on information signs along the way, youโll feel a sense of the area’s rich heritage and important stories.
Keep your eyes out for signs to Tweed Valley Whey Farmhouse Cheeses, a dairy farm that makes a range of delicious artisan cheeses. Sample your favourites and buy some to snack on later.
Take a break in Burringbar
Arriving in Burringbar, take a break to discover this small and charming town, with vintage wares, a friendly general store and cafe, natural wine shop and a welcoming park to stop and rest.
Ride on through a cooling avenue of tall pine trees to tiny Mooball, where you can park up for a refreshing drink at a heritage pub or a snack at the friendly cafe. You can either stop here and turn around to return to your starting point in Murwillumbah or catch a shuttle bus back if your little one’s legs are weary.
If there is still some energy in the tank, the official end of the trail’s Tweed section is Crabbes Creek, a flat 3km journey from here, passing through another historic rail tunnel along the way.
Explore more of The Tweed!
There’s so much to see and do in The Tweed for families from aquatic adventures and farm tours to interactive learning and more nature to explore.
Encounter whales on their migration path along the east coast with Watersports Guru, a local team that also offers special kids aquatic activities in holiday periods.
Visit Tropical Fruit World to discover, taste and learn about fruit from around the world, grown here on the farm’s plantation that’s home to over 500 different fruit species. There’s also a cafe, shop and fresh produce store for take-home goodness.
Learn more about The Tweed’s fascinating history and rich culture at the Tweed Regional Museum, where families are always welcome and kids will always find plenty of interactive fun.
For more nature tracks to explore, head to the Uki Mountain Bike Park, with a range of trails and some especially designed for children and mountain biking beginners.
Book a picnic rug on the Husk Farm Distillery lawn for a relaxed lunch, with plenty of grass and games to keep the kids happy while you take time to reflect on your fun family holiday, and when you can next come back!
Travelling to The Tweed
Staying overnight?
If you’re looking for a place to rest up a night or two – or more! – with the family, there are plenty of accommodation choices; from rainforest chalets and farmstays to beach apartments and comfy riverside escapes.
Plan your family day out on the Northern Rivers Rail Trail at visitthetweed.com.au.
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