Riding the Northern Rivers Rail Trail with an Adaptive Bike Trailer
The Northern Rivers Rail Trail is one of the best places in NSW to ride with an adaptive bike trailer. It's flat, wide, away from traffic and officially suitable for wheelchairs and prams. It's also where Take Me Riding began: I live near the trail, and seeing families out there with adaptive trailers is what started this business.
This guide covers the open sections, the best access points, and what to know before your first ride with an adaptive trailer.
Which sections are open?
Two sections of the trail are open now:
| Section | Length | Surface | Main access points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tweed: Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek | 24 km | 6 km sealed in town areas, 18 km compacted gravel | Murwillumbah Station, Burringbar, Stokers Siding, Mooball, Crabbes Creek |
| Casino to Lismore | 29.7 km | Mostly compacted gravel, with sealed sections at key entry points | Old Casino Station, Spring Grove Road, Bentley Road, Lismore Station, Nesbitt Park |
More sections, including Lismore to Booyong and through Byron Shire, are still in planning. Check the official Northern Rivers Rail Trail website for the latest.
Why it suits adaptive trailers
- Gentle gradients. The trail follows the old railway line, so most of it is no steeper than 4.5%. A few short bypass sections around bridges are steeper, so take those slowly.
- Plenty of width. The Tweed section is about 3 metres wide, narrowing to 2.5 metres on some bridges. The Casino to Bentley stretch is generally 4 metres. Adaptive trailers are wide, so this matters.
- No cars. Motorised vehicles aren't allowed, so you can relax and enjoy the ride.
- Facilities along the way. There are toilets, water refill stations and bike racks at points along the trail, plus e-bike charging at Murwillumbah Station.
Where to start
Murwillumbah Station is the easiest start for the Tweed section. It has around 60 parking spaces, facilities and e-bike charging, and the first stretch out of town is sealed.
For the southern section, Spring Grove Road has the biggest car park, with about 120 spaces, and Old Casino Station and Lismore Station both have parking close to the trail.
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The tunnels
The Tweed section has two tunnels, and the Casino to Lismore section has the Naughtons Gap Tunnel. The Tweed tunnels are kept dark to protect glow-worms and microbats, so bring a light and follow the signs at each tunnel. Let your passenger know what to expect before you go in. For some riders, the glow-worms are the highlight of the day.
Tips for riding with an adaptive trailer
- Do a practice run first. Hitch up and ride a short loop at home before heading to the trail.
- Use an e-bike if you can. E-bikes up to 250 W are allowed on the trail, and pedal assist makes towing a heavier passenger much easier. Read our guide to towing an adaptive trailer with an e-bike.
- Bring the stroller wheel. Wike adaptive trailers convert to a stroller, so you can unhitch for a café stop or a walk.
- Pack for the weather. Use the rain screen if showers are around, and bring water, snacks and sun protection for your passenger.
- Plan your turnaround. Rail trails are out-and-back unless you arrange a pickup, so turn around before anyone gets tired.
- Follow the trail rules. Helmets are mandatory for cyclists, dogs must be on a short lead, and no motorised vehicles are allowed.
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Which trailer?
Our Wike Special Needs Large suits passengers up to 162 cm and 57 kg. The Extra Large takes passengers up to 178 cm and 90.7 kg. Both convert to a stroller. See our buying guide to compare them.
Planning further afield? See our guide to accessible rail trails in NSW and Queensland.
Trail details are from the official Northern Rivers Rail Trail website and were correct at the time of writing. Check trail conditions before you go.