Northern Rivers Rail Trail: Tweed Section

The Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail runs 24 kilometres from Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek on a former railway line, which means it is flat, wide and almost entirely free of traffic. Dogs are welcome the whole way, but Tweed Shire Council requires a short lead at all times, and on a path this popular with cyclists that rule is doing real work.

The walk. The full one way route is 24.6 kilometres and about six to seven hours on foot, which is more than most dogs want in a day. The trail is built for sampling, so pick a station to station leg and turn back, or arrange a lift. It is gently graded the entire distance, with 18 heritage bridges and two tunnels along the way. The surface suits older dogs and prams equally well.

The rules. Short lead at all times, set by Tweed Shire Council. Long lines and retractables are specifically discouraged, because the trail is shared with bikes travelling at speed and a dog on six metres of cord across the path is a collision waiting to happen. Bring your own waste bags, keep left, and give way to anything moving faster than you.

Hazards. The Burringbar Tunnel is 524 metres long, curved and genuinely dark in the middle. Take a torch or a headlamp, both so you can see your dog and so cyclists can see you. Snakes are active along the corridor in the warmer months, which is another argument for the short lead and for staying on the formed surface rather than the grass verge.

Getting there. The northern trailhead is behind the heritage listed Murwillumbah Railway Station at 284 Tweed Valley Way, South Murwillumbah, where there is free parking, toilets and shade. Burringbar station is the best mid trail rest stop, with a shelter, tables and a water bubbler.

Nearby with the dogs. Tweed River Motel is the closest pet friendly bed to the trailhead, Hosanna Farmstay sits near the Stokers Siding stretch, and Murwillumbah Showground is an option if you are towing.

When to go. Weekday mornings, or before nine on a weekend. Summer afternoons on an open path with limited canopy get hot underfoot, and the tunnel is the only reliable shade for kilometres. Good for big runners with the stamina to make a real dent in it.

Sources

• Frequently asked questions - Northern Rivers Rail Trail · www.northernriversrailtrail.com.au
• Safety and rules - Northern Rivers Rail Trail · www.northernriversrailtrail.com.au
• Northern Rivers Rail Trail: Tweed Section - AllTrails · www.alltrails.com

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.