Northern Rivers Rail Trail Project

Northern Rivers Rail Trail

The Northern Rivers Rail Trail is a 132Km recreational trail that will follow the disused Casino to Murwillumbah railway corridor. The Tweed section opened in March 2023 with the Richmond Valley section scheduled to open early in 2024. The Rail Trail will be a hero experience for the North Coast providing visitors the opportunity to enjoy exceptional nature-based and recreational experiences. It has great potential to support local businesses, create jobs and boost the economy.

Northern Rivers Rail Trail Product & Experience Development Project

The Northern Rivers Rail Trail Product & Experience Development Project was one of the high- profile tourism projects implemented by Destination North Coast as part of the Federal Government‘s Recovery for Regional Tourism Fund.

The aim of the project was to inspire, support and empower tourism businesses to develop and advance their product and experience offerings to leverage the Rail Trail. Local consultants, Wray Sustainable Tourism Research and Planning was engaged to work with Destination North Coast to design and deliver the Project.

Check out the following video that shares more information about the project.

 

Project Stages

Stage One: Northern Rivers Rail Trail Product and Experiences Audit

The Northern Rivers Rail Trail Product and Experience Development Audit identified the tourism products and experiences that currently exist in and along the 132-kilometre rail corridor. The audit was an important initial stage of the Project to inform recommendations on a path forward in developing products and experiences that will enhance and build on the Rail Trail as a Hero Experience.

Click here to read the Northern Rivers Rail Trail Product and Experience Development Audit
The Rail Trail Case Study Report included a review and analysis of best practice rail trail case studies in Australia and New Zealand.

Click here to read the Rail Trail Case Study Report

Stage Two: Northern Rivers Rail Trail Product & Experience Development Program

A series of workshops were delivered across the Northern Rivers from December 2021 – February 2022.  The workshops focused on how businesses can become ‘Rail Trail Ready’ and explored opportunities for collaboration and product and experience development. Check out the Program Flyer for more information.

A Mentoring Program was delivered from April to July 2022 for businesses interested in developing a new rail trail focused product or experience. The program was completed by 20 businesses in the Northern Rivers, supported through online group sessions, an online education program and one-on-one business mentoring support.

rail trail map

Check out the following video that shares more information on the Northern Rivers Rail Trail – Casino to Bentley.