The Northern Rivers Rail Trail: Cycling, Walking & Fitness Near Burringbar

If there's one reason guests keep coming back to this stretch of the Byron Bay hinterland, it's the trail running right past the gate. The Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail is a 24km path connecting Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek — following the old North Coast railway line through Stokers Siding, Burringbar and Mooball — and Sanctuary Burringbar sits close enough that you can be riding it within minutes of finishing breakfast.

What the trail actually offers

Opened in December 2022 and jointly funded by the NSW and Australian governments, the trail follows the route of the old rail corridor on a mix of sealed path and compacted gravel — which makes it genuinely useful rather than just scenic. Along the way it crosses 18 historic railway bridges, five of them heritage-listed, and passes through 2 tunnels. The gentle rail-grade gradient means you don't need to be an experienced cyclist to cover real distance, but there's enough length in the full 24km to give a solid workout if that's what you're after.

It's also a genuinely inclusive trail — accredited for wheelchair, low-vision, low-hearing and cognitive/autism access, and open to horse riders in designated sections without a permit. In 2025 it picked up Gold and Silver at both the NSW Tourism Awards and the Australian Tourism Awards, and it's part of a growing network that will eventually stretch 130km from Murwillumbah through to Byron Bay, Bangalow, Lismore and Casino.

Why it matters for where you're staying

Northern Rivers NSW has no shortage of things to do, but a lot of them require a drive. The rail trail is different — it runs directly through Burringbar itself, without needing to get in a car first. For guests staying at Sanctuary Burringbar, that means fitness and time outdoors don't have to compete with the rest of a relaxed stay; they fold into it.

Making the most of it

• Bring your own bike, or ask us about hire options nearby before you arrive

• Early morning or late afternoon avoids the heat of the day in summer

• The full Murwillumbah–Crabbes Creek stretch is doable in a half-day round trip for most fitness levels

• Walkers, runners and horse riders are just as welcome as cyclists — the surface and access accreditation suit all of them

Whether you're here for a stay, a wellness reset, or hosting your own group, the rail trail is one of the simplest ways to build real movement into your time in the Byron Bay hinterland without it feeling like a chore.

For live trail conditions, maps and bike hire options, the official Northern Rivers Rail Trail site and the Tweed Shire Council rail trail page are the best places to check before you set out.