Rail Trails and Cycling Trails in NSW

Just across the border from us in Queensland, and extending further down into central and southern NSW, there are some top new rail trail and cycling trail networks.  This article covers three epic (and epic-in the-making) trail destinations for multi-day adventures plus we also include some shorter rail trail and day rides. 

Venture into small country towns and rural communities that welcome cyclists with accommodation, refreshments and country hospitality at its best. Whether you’re just getting started with trail rides or are a seasoned long-distance tourer, these cycle destinations are well worth putting on your list to do.  

Central West Cycle Trail

Launched in July 2020, the Central West Cycle Trail (CwC) takes cyclists on 400km circuit of the central west region visiting numerous small towns and taking in some beautiful, outback countryside in the Wiradjuri nation.

The trail has been mapped to avoid busy roads and encourage visitors to enjoy some great country hospitality and culture along the way, with farm morning tea and lunch stops one of the highlights.

If you choose to ride through the whole 400km circuit, you’ll be riding through the backroads of Mudgee, Gulgong, Dunedoo, Mendooran, Ballimore, Dubbo, Geurie, Wellington, Goolma, finishing back at Gulgong and Mudgee.  You can also choose to just ride stages of it too of course. 

Download the full and sectional maps and Ride with GPS coordinates here: Maps – Central West Cycle Trail

Looking for navigational apps? Check out our recommendations: Best Cycling Apps | Electric Bikes Brisbane

Trail Sections

There are ten trail sections and a host of food, accommodation and off-bike things visitors can do. For example, spend a couple of days in the town of Dubbo and see the impressive Dubbo Zoo.

Image credit: Destination NSW

Visit the Central West Cycle Trail information page for more details on accommodation, tours and transport options.

The visitor information centres are very helpful with route planning and things to do too and we list the main ones along the trail here: 

Orange360 - Orange Villages Bike Trail

The Orange Villages Bike Trail is a picturesque cycling route that offers a 360km circuit around Mount Conobolas in the Central Tablelands region. It starts and finishes in the town of Orange, passing through the smaller towns and villages of the area. 

The route was developed for bikepackers and cycle tourists and shows off the natural beauty of the region, encouraging visitors to enjoy the food and wine that the region has become known for along the way. 

Image credit: R & M Brisby

The trail utilises secondary rural bitumen roads and gravel tracks, and there are some sections that have quite a bit of climbing ....so it is great for ebikes!

Ride some of it. Ride the whole circuit. The options are there for you to create a memorable and enjoyable cycling trip. 

Visit the Orange360 website for a section by section breakdown to help you plan your route and see Andrew's Trip Overview from his autumn ebike trip. 

Bicentennial National Trail

This is an epic indeed! The Bicentennial trail actually starts in Cooktown, Queensland, and finishes at Healesville, Victoria, so it covers the entire length of NSW.

You will ride through some stunning countryside, and there is plenty of adventure with this trail as much of it is not on sealed or groomed tracks.

The trail exits Queensland through the town of Killarney and enters NSW through the village of Ebor. From there, bikers will follow the river through the Guy Fawkes National Park, to Barrington Tops and through Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.

In a nutshell it follows the Great Dividing Range from Barrington Tops through to Jenolan Caves in the Blue Mountains and from there you make your way to Mount Kosciuszko. Keep going to Omeo and you cross the border into Victoria along the way. 

This trail is not recommended for beginners and the faint-hearted - recent riders have taken 9 months to complete it end-to-end! However if you are looking for an epic adventure this is one to put on your list or just pick a section of it that appeals.

The best place for further information including trail maps is the Bicentennial Trail website. 

Northern Rivers Rail Trail 

Coming soon! The proposed Northern Rivers Rail Trail will span 128km from Casino to Murwillumbah, passing through Lismore, Byron Bay, Ocean Shores and Burringbar. 

Once fully open, this trail will traverse through a World Heritage region, renowned for its beauty, food, music and arts, and the wonderful laid-back vibe of the northern NSW towns. See the proposed route below.