Better By Bike Rail Trail E-Bike Ride & Husk Farm Distillery Lunch & Tour

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An adults-only day in the Tweed Valley: a van from your accommodation, two hours on a premium e-bike along the Northern Rivers Rail Trail through the Burringbar Range Tunnel, then a behind-the-scenes tour, seven-spirit tasting and three-course lunch at Husk Farm Distillery, home of Ink Gin and rum made from its own sugarcane.

Days

About 7 hours

Age

18 years and over

Group size

Self-guided ride, minimum 4 per booking

Start / finish

Your accommodation / Murwillumbah / Husk Farm Distillery / your accommodation
Your accommodation, around 3:30pm

Return

Your accommodation, around 3:30pm

Transport

Van transfers from your accommodation, then e-bike

Meals

Three-course lunch, welcome drink and spirit tasting

Route

Map of Better By Bike Rail Trail E-Bike Ride & Husk Farm Distillery Lunch & Tour

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Included experiences

Northern Rivers Rail Trail — two hour e-bike ride from Murwillumbah
Burringbar Range Tunnel — ride through a 524 m rail tunnel
Husk Farm Distillery — behind-the-scenes farm-to-bottle tour
Spirit tasting — welcome drink and seven spirits
Planter's Kitchen — three-course lunch facing Mount Wollumbin

Better By Bike Rail Trail E-Bike Ride & Husk Farm Distillery Lunch & Tour

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: VAN TO MURWILLUMBAH

Pick-up is from your accommodation, anywhere from Surfers Paradise to the Byron Bay area, in a comfortable van. You're driven to the old railway station in Murwillumbah, a Tweed River town whose regional gallery houses the Margaret Olley Art Centre. The station marks the start of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, which follows the Casino to Murwillumbah railway, closed in 2004 and reopened to riders in 2023. Your premium e-bike comes with a gel seat, lights, waterproof panniers and a trail map, and you get a full briefing before you set off.

LATE MORNING: THE RAIL TRAIL TO BURRINGBAR

Then you have about two hours on your own along the old line, through hinterland and rainforest and over heritage rail bridges. 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 dark inside, so switch your lights on and look up for glow worms on the roof and microbats in the shadows. The e-bike carries you up the one real climb near the range, and the ride ends at Burringbar, a village with a coffee stop riders swear by.

MIDDAY: HUSK FARM DISTILLERY

The van then takes you to Husk Farm Distillery at North Tumbulgum, set among sugarcane fields near where the Tweed and Rous rivers meet. Husk grows its own cane and crushes it fresh for its rum, and also makes the colour-changing Ink Gin, which turns from blue to pink when tonic goes in, thanks to butterfly pea flower. After a welcome drink a guide takes you behind the scenes of the farm-to-bottle distilling, then through a tasting of seven spirits. Between June and October you may see the cane harvest under way.

LUNCH AND HOME

Lunch is three seasonal courses, entree, main and dessert, at Planter's Kitchen, the distillery's restaurant, which looks across the valley to Wollumbin (Mount Warning). The 1,159 metre peak is the core of a volcano that last erupted about 23 million years ago. Then the van takes you back to your accommodation, at around 3:30pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up from your accommodation between Surfers Paradise and the Byron Bay area, including the Tweed Coast. Your pick-up place and time are confirmed when you book.
Departure time: From around 8:30am.
Finishes: Back at your accommodation around 3:30pm.
Duration: About 7 hours door to door, with about 2 hours on the bike.
Minimum age: 18 years. This tour is for adults only.
Please note: A minimum of 4 people per booking. The ride comes before the tastings, and is self-guided with trail support by phone.

What to bring

Water bottle
Sunscreen
Hat
Closed-toe shoes
Rain jacket

What is included

Van pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation
Two hour self-guided ride on a premium e-bike
Helmet, lights, gel seat, waterproof panniers and trail map
Husk Farm Distillery behind-the-scenes tour
Welcome drink and seven-spirit guided tasting
Three-course lunch at Planter's Kitchen
Tour discounts at Husk

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.