Better By Bike E-Bike Hire: From Mooball

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A full day on a premium European e-bike on the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, starting at Mooball: heritage rail bridges, rainforest, village cafes and the 524 metre Burringbar Range Tunnel. Ride out and back, or ride the 24 km one way to Murwillumbah and take the shuttle back. Drive to Mooball yourself, or choose the option with pick-up and return transport from your Byron Bay or Tweed Coast accommodation.

Days

Up to 7 hours; 6 to 8 hours with return transport

Group size

Self-guided hire

Start / finish

Mooball / Mooball, or one way to Murwillumbah with shuttle back; or your Byron Bay or Tweed Coast stay and back

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

E-bike; optional shuttle from Murwillumbah back to Mooball, or return transport from your stay

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Better By Bike E-Bike Hire: From Mooball

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Included experiences

Northern Rivers Rail Trail — 24 km Tweed section between Mooball and Murwillumbah
Burringbar Range Tunnel — ride through a 524 m rail tunnel
Burringbar — village coffee stop
Heritage railway bridges — 16 along the Tweed section
Hinterland and rainforest — along the old rail corridor

Better By Bike E-Bike Hire: From Mooball

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: MOOBALL OR A PICK-UP FROM YOUR STAY

There are two ways to start. Drive yourself to Mooball and meet the team in the carpark opposite the Moo Moo Roadhouse, in a village famous for its power poles and fences painted in black-and-white cow patches. Or have the team collect you from your Byron Bay or Tweed Coast accommodation and drive you to the trail. Either way you get a premium European e-bike set up to fit you, with a helmet, map, waterproof panniers, a phone holder, lights for the tunnel and sunscreen. The briefing covers how the bike works, trail manners and the team's tips for where to stop and eat.

ON THE TRAIL: HINTERLAND, BRIDGES AND BURRINGBAR

The Northern Rivers Rail Trail follows the old Casino to Murwillumbah railway, closed in 2004, and its Tweed section opened to riders in 2023. It runs 24 km on sealed and compact gravel, mostly well away from roads, across 16 heritage railway bridges and through cuttings, farmland and rainforest. Burringbar is the village riders stop in for coffee. The bike's four levels of help, from Eco to Turbo, mean you choose how much work you do, and the only real climb is near the tunnel.

THE BURRINGBAR RANGE TUNNEL

The Burringbar Range Tunnel was cut for the railway that reached Murwillumbah in 1894, and trains ran through it until the line closed in 2004. At 524 metres it's one of the longest in New South Wales, and dark enough inside that you'll want the lights supplied with your bike. Slow down and look up: glow worms shine on the walls and roof, the larvae of a fungus gnat that use their light to draw insects into sticky threads, and microbats roost in the dark. The cool air inside is a welcome change on a summer afternoon.

AFTERNOON: ONE WAY OR BACK AGAIN

How the day ends is your choice when you book. Ride out and back the way you came, or ride the full 24 km in one direction. From Mooball that ends in Murwillumbah, a town on the Tweed River whose regional gallery houses the Margaret Olley Art Centre, where you hand the bike in at the shop in the old railway station. The shuttle then takes you back to Mooball or, if you were collected, to your accommodation. Allow about two hours each way with stops, plus lunch. If you get a puncture, call the team and they'll come to you.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Picking up the bike in Mooball: the carpark opposite the Moo Moo Roadhouse, 5887 Tweed Valley Way, Mooball, with free parking. With return transport: pick-up from your accommodation in Byron Bay, Kingscliff, Coolangatta or on the Tweed Coast.
Departure time: Morning, around 9am. Your exact meeting time is confirmed when you book.
Duration: Hire of up to 7 hours. The ride from Mooball to Murwillumbah is 24 km; allow at least 2 hours each way with a short stop, plus time for lunch. With return transport, allow 6 to 8 hours from pick-up to drop-off.
Suits: Adults and families. Kids' e-bikes suit riders about 133 to 155 cm, and baby seats, tag-along chariots and pet chariots can be added.
Please note: E-bikes can't be carried on your own car. In rare bad weather the team decides on the day if it is safe to ride, and reschedules or refunds if not. Book ahead for weekends and school holidays.

What is included

Premium European e-bike for the day, fitted to you
Helmet
Trail map with local recommendations
Waterproof panniers and phone holder
Lights for the tunnel
Sunscreen
Operation and safety briefing
Trail support if you need it
With the return transport option: pick-up and return transport to your Byron Bay or Tweed Coast accommodation

Not included

Return shuttle from Murwillumbah to Mooball (optional, extra cost per person), if you collect the bike in Mooball
Food and drink along the trail
Child seats, trailers and pet chariots (extra cost)

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 5 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

A great family day on the rail trail. Leo delivered our bikes to us at Mooball, with lights for the tunnel and bags for our gear, and spent time with our 8-year-old until she felt confident.

Jurone Sullivan Verified· Travelled 9th June 2024

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(5/5)

We did the self-guided rail trail ride on good-quality bikes. The trail was a good workout, with a big art gallery and a long tunnel along the way, and the pick-up shuttle was convenient and on time.

Tyler Malka Verified· Travelled 18th March 2024

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(5/5)

We started at Mooball and rode to Murwillumbah on e-bikes in perfect condition, stopping on the way back at the regional gallery and a farm stay for lunch. The team were super helpful planning our day.

Shane Verified· Travelled 13th August 2023

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(5/5)

Matt picked us up from our campsite and drove us to a beautiful countryside spot about 20 minutes from Byron Bay. The flat, wide track made an easy two-hour ride with a stop at a cafe with farm animals for burgers and ice cream, then we were dropped back at the campsite.

Heather Baker Verified· Travelled 10th August 2023

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(5/5)

Matt collected us from our BNB in Byron Bay and talked us through the trail on the way to the start, then let us choose to ride back after lunch. We also kept the bikes overnight to ride up to the lighthouse for sunset.

Ayesha Massie Verified· Travelled 28th May 2023

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