Northern Rivers Rail Trail Moving Ahead
With the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail reaching the conclusion of construction in March, walkers and cyclists will soon be enjoying the stunning scenery of the Tweed Valley.
The official opening date is set for 1 March, and we will soon provide an update on the public celebrations for this opening. From all reports the trail is shaping up to be a world class attraction with heritage bridges, tunnels and a combination of hard packed gravel and sealed surfaces.
As reported in the Lismore News, the timeline was released for the 16.3km section of the rail trail from Lismore to Bentley which will join the Casino to Bentley section being constructed by the Richmond Valley Council.
Designs for these sections are being finalised. Richmond Valley Council, having built their test section, will start construction soon. The design for the section to be managed by Lismore Council will be finalised by July 2023 and construction is planned to start in August 2023.
Hopefully these two sections will be open sometime in 2024, which will leave the Byron Council section as the “missing gap” in the full Northern Rivers Rail Trail.
Once the whole rail trail is open, the Northern Rivers Rail Trail will take its place in the world as one of the epic multi-day cycle rides attracting national and international visitors. Rightfully so, as the area has some of the most spectacular scenery one could ever visit and see.
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5 comments on “Northern Rivers Rail Trail Moving Ahead”
Who is going to stop motor bikes escooters etc from using it and people from entering private properties along it 🤔
Don't know about Queensland Railtrails but here in Vic there are measures like chicanes in place and gates to get through, as for people entering private properties, it depends on how well they have fenced off the properties, and it would not be any of the cyclists riding through, as far as i know most cyclists respect people's privacy and property.
Those issues are similar to any shared path , such as the nearby Tweed Coast path. You do get occasional illegal users but studies show its not a major issue – I'm at home most of the time and it's only been two or three motorbikes in six years on the Ballina Heights shared paths near my place in Ballina. Crime data show passive surveillance by passing pedestrians and cyclists reduces the risk of crime, including trespass, but of course it's important to keep properties fenced , as I do.
How long have there been public footpaths in the UK? Quite a few centuries I think. Time for all Australians to welcome rail trails and other initiatives designed to encourage healthy activity to counter our sedentary modern lifestyle.
This is excellent news! The Northern Rivers Rail Trail has the potential to spark a boom in bicycle activity across the region. Can't wait for its completion!