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The romantic notion of railways, transporting goods and people, for business or leisure, all over the land, linked by a ribbon of steel and connecting far-away communities has been consistent dream of children, authors and dreamers for the better part of 200 years.
The romantic notion of railways, transporting goods and people, for business or leisure, all over the land, linked by a ribbon of steel and connecting far-away communities has been consistent dream of children, authors and dreamers for the better part of 200 years.
But, with the development of the motor vehicle (car, bus and truck), the necessary road network and the need for independent travel alternatives, railways have retracted in recent decades.
Rail trails, the conversion of a railway line into a shared user path for universal access to walk, ride or cycle, have recreated the original purpose of the railway – connect communities – whilst encouraging active transport and retention of heritage and history.
And the rail trails financially benefit too – the construction spend is easily surpassed by the community benefit in health (physical & mental) outcomes and monetary gain with accommodation, food and transport services all in high demand, substantially due to the local rail trail.
Chris Ord writes a dynamic article to analyse rail trail benefits – a solid read for rail trail proponents and antagonists alike. You can read this article here.
Similar to the views expressed in this article, Damian McCrohan, Rail Trails Australia President spoke to ABC radio about the benefits of rail trails for NSW and the rest of Australia. If you would like to listen to this 9 minute interview, please click on this link.
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More News
The Barossa Marathon on Sunday 23 August was a great success with perfect weather, light winds and a record 3,500 compet...
Heavy rain and subsequent flooding have cut the Southern Flinders Rail Trail in South Australia, 1km north of Stone Hut....
Bass Coast Shire Council (BCSC) has closed a section of Victoria’s Bass Coast Rail Trail due to erosion concerns. ...
Great news for rail trail enthusiasts! A construction tender has been awarded to kick off the next phase of the Wadandi ...
One of Australia’s best known cycling regions has introduced a program designed to help visitors in the area ident...
South Australia’s Barossa Council has received an additional $100,000 grant through the Government of South Austra...
Northern Rivers Rail Trail (NRRT) has done it again – winning gold at the 2026 North Coast Regional Tourism Awards...
Rail Trail Australia’s (RTA) Community Grants program 2026-2027 is open and taking applications now. The scope and fun...
Grand Ridge Rail Trail Committee of Management (CoM) has installed brand new information signs along the 13km rail trail...
Brisbane Valley Rail Trail (BVRT) trail manager Qld Department of Transport and Main Roads has just completed a 10km sur...
Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC) is asking for public support to reopen Lapstone Tunnel in the lower Blue Mountains. R...
Show your support for Rail Trails Australia by purchasing from our range of branded Rail Trails Australia clothing inclu...
Rail Trails Australia (RTA) has opened early-bird registration for the 2026 Rail Trails Conference to be held in Canberr...
The Barossa Council in South Australia has installed 2 new bench seats along the Barossa Trail near Angaston. An inclusi...
Rail Trails Australia’s (RTA) Eastern Victoria representative John Birrell attended the July launch of the Great S...
The clearing of part of the Boyne Burnett Inland Rail Trail (BBIRT), from Barrimoon to Barrimoon Rd, towards Kalpowar, h...