Receive Our Free Email News
Stay up to date with the latest news about Rail Trails with our free email news.
Register for news updatesShiraz to Shore – The Hunter’s Cycle Tourism Opportunity
The Hunter Joint Organisation of Councils in NSW is made up of the ten local councils that cover the entire Hunter region, from Newcastle and Lake Macquarie cities in the south and east to Upper Hunter Shire in the west and Dungog and Mid-Coast councils to the north.
Cycle tourism and active transport has been identified as a key priority for the region through the Hunter JO’s Strategic Plan, presenting a fantastic opportunity to deliver regional benefit for the communities through collaborative efforts.
A unique opportunity exists to link existing and planned cycleway infrastructure, local businesses, and points of interest across five council areas; to create a 100km integrated region wide cycle network and iconic tourism product called Shiraz to Shore.
In 2023, Hunter JO received funding from NSW Government to develop a Business Case and Concept Design for the Shiraz to Shore initiative, as well as a Hunter Cycle Tourism Strategy to position the region as a premier cycle tourism destination.
Recently, the results of these studies were announced to enthusiastic support from elected representatives of all three levels of government, the business chamber and Committee for the Hunter, and from the community at large.
The Shiraz to Shore concept envisions using the proposed Richmond Vale Rail Trail (initially planned at 32km) to connect trails from Belford in Singleton shire through the vineyards of Pokolbin, the mining heritage region of the South Maitland Coalfield and the Sugarloaf Range to the shores of both Lake Macquarie and the Pacific Ocean at Newcastle. Whilst the focus of the concept is the 100km “core” trail, the enabling connections to current and future pathways such as the Fernleigh Track, Fassifern – Toronto Greenway, Glendale to Wallsend Tramway track and Stockton to Williamtown shared path promise to easily double that length.
More information, maps and a promotional video can be found on these links:
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...
Calendar of Events
See upcoming eventsNews Archives
Receive Our Free Email News
Stay up to date with the latest news about Rail Trails with our free email news.
Register for news updatesFeatured Articles
Celebrating RTA’s Volunteers
26/05/25
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...