PEDAL, PARTY AND PLAY! FESTIVITIES TO MARK RAIL TRAIL OPENING

Heaps of fun for everyone at free Community Celebration weekend!

It’s time to bring the community together for a weekend of celebrations to mark the opening of the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail!

On Saturday 25 March and Sunday 26 March, the 24km Tweed stretch of the Rail Trail will come alive with a feast of free activities, live music and events for the entire family to enjoy.

Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry said all members of the community were invited to share in the rich history and cultural infuences of the Rail Trail and the beauty of the surrounding region.

“The Rail Trail is truly a world-class asset which has opened to rave reviews and we want to share this with as many people in the community as possible,” Cr Cherry said.

“This new attraction is the culmination of years of work and is something the Tweed community can be incredibly proud of. Not only does the Rail Trail provide an opportunity to get outdoors and exercise while taking in the spectacular natural beauty of the Tweed Valley, but it provides opportunities for our local residents and businesses to connect in new ways.

“We invite everyone to come along and join in the Community Celebrations and fnd out for yourselves what everyone is raving about! Our aim is to create a safe and inclusive space where the community can come together and celebrate our shared love for the outdoors. Let’s make memories, have fun, create lasting connections and celebrate our fantastic region.”

Fun activities, live music and food offerings will be available at all the main nodes along the way, including Murwillumbah, Stokers Siding, Burringbar, Mooball and Crabbes Creek.

Dive into the past at the Murwillumbah Railway Station site and visit the Museum on Wheels (MoW), courtesy of the Tweed Regional Museum, which has curated an exhibition of historic photographs of the former North Coast Line dating back to the early 1900’s. Kids can embark on their Rail Trail journey with a specially -designed scavenger hunt and uncover hidden stories along the way.

Cycling Without Age will also be at the Murwillumbah Railway Station, providing people with reduced mobility the chance to enjoy the freedom of cycling on their popular trishaw rides powered by volunteers.

The station itself will be lively and activations will be dispersed across the 24km length of the trail, including an exciting new addition for the Tweed Regional Gallery. Rail Trail users will be able to access a free, self-guided activity at the Gallery connection point where they can listen to the voice of local poet Tais Rose Wae – providing an opportunity for trailblazers to take some time out, slow down and engage in some meditative deep listening, connecting them to the land.

Other activations across the weekend will support the community to experience new things and learn about Aboriginal cultural stories as well as the fora and fauna of the surrounding area.

Each of the historical station nodes will feature musicians playing throughout the weekend, including sounds from Luke Bennett, Kayel, Jerome Williams, Gabrielle Lamb and James Alexander.

Plan your day and check out the full program for a list of exciting things to bring the family and join in the fun. Visit northernriversrailtrail. com.au/plan/events.

Highlights from the program include:

Saturday 25 March 2023

Murwillumbah Railway Station precinct Grab a chance to ask questions with members from the Northern Rivers Supports Group and Rail Trails Australia and visit the animated Museum on Wheels (9 am – 2 pm). Cycling Without Age will be offering free rides for those less able, from young children with disabilities to those over 100 years old.

Stokers Siding

Grab a delicious cake and have a chat with community printmakers who will be open all weekend from 10 am – 4 pm. Hosanna Farmstay has waived its Day Visit pass fees for all Rail Trail users. Swing through, say hi to the animals, stay for a snack, and enjoy their live music from 1 – 8 pm.

Burringbar

Have some fun with the Hoopla Circus and their interactive circus toys in Burringbar at Masterton Park between 9 am – 1 pm alongside communityrun face painting, cake stall, and sausage sizzle. Cycling Without Age will also be hosting free trishaw rides from Burringbar from 10 am –2 pm.

Mooball

Get up close and personal with some reptiles and join well-loved local Wildlife Twins in Bernadette Kelly Park with their interactive reptile show from 10 am –11 am. Stop by the Victory Hotel in the afternoon and fuel up with a sausage sizzle from 3 – 5 pm and live music from 2 pm.

Crabbes Creek

The Community Hall will be open on Saturday (10 am – 4 pm) for people to visit and vote and will be hosting a barbecue.

Sunday 26 March 2023

Stokers Siding

More cakes and conversations. Community Printmakers will remain open on Sunday 10 am – 4 pm. Hosanna will open their farm gates to Rail Trail users and waive their Day Visit pass on Sunday too.

Burringbar

Immerse yourself in First Nations culture and come and listen to ancient stories and songs and the captivating sounds of the didgeridoo with the Biren Cultural Group from 10 am – 1 pm. Leave your mark in the creation of a traditional artwork that will tell a story of shared connection from the weekend on the Rail Trail and receive a small ochre blessing before you leave.

Mooball

Perfect for young explorers, check out the ‘I’m a Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!’ set up in Bernadette Kelly Park from 9 am to 1 pm. Be crowned king or queen of the jungle, see props from the show, play games and brave the creeping toy spiders to win a prize.

Crabbes Creek

On Sunday, Crabbes Creek Hall will be open for information and a brekkie barbecue from 8 am – 12 pm.