That first tunnel is a real payoff. This self-guided e-bike loops through the Tweed hinterland, follows the Northern Rivers Rail Trail (car-free, old bridges, and tunnels), then finishes in the grounds of award-winning Husk Farm Distillery for a well-earned gin & tonic. You’ll have a smartphone app for turn-by-turn guidance, plus a setup that gets you rolling fast from Mooball.

I especially like the mix of surfaces: easy rail trail riding into the town of Murwillumbah, then windier lanes through rainforest and across cane fields on the way to Bilambil. I also love the end destination—Husk Farm Distillery feels like a destination, not an afterthought, and you can reward yourself there after your ride.

One thing to consider: you need to bring a fully charged smartphone with the Ridewithgps app installed, and you should bring your own water bottle since it’s not included. This ride also needs good weather, so if rain moves in, you may need to adjust plans.

Key highlights worth penciling in

• 25km car-free Northern Rivers Rail Trail to Murwillumbah, with old track remnants and great views
• The 524m Burringbar Tunnel experience, with glowworms and microbats in the longer tunnel section
• Phone-led self-guiding with a custom navigation app, so you can ride at your pace
• Small group size (max 10) and fully set-up gear: helmet, hi-viz backpack, lights, and lock
• Finish at Husk Farm Distillery in scenic grounds with classic gin & tonic options
• Return transfer included so you don’t have to bike back to Mooball

How this self-guided e-bike day works (without feeling chaotic)

This is a 5 to 6 hour self-guided ride that’s designed to feel simple. You start in Mooball at 9:30am, get your e-bike and safety gear, and then follow the route using the provided smartphone navigation setup. The big win is that you don’t have to match anyone else’s speed—stop when you want, pause for photos in the good spots, and keep going when you feel ready.

You’ll ride a big chunk of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail—a former railway corridor that stays clear of cars. That matters because it turns the day into something relaxing and predictable: smooth gradients for most of the rail trail, and a clear sense of route once you’re on it.

The day ends back at Husk Farm Distillery, and then they pick up the bikes and return you to Mooball. That’s the kind of practical detail that makes a longer ride actually feel doable.

E-bike setup: what you get and what you must bring

Your ride starts with Beyond Byron E Bikes handing over what you need to get moving right away. You’ll use a FOCUS or KALKHOFF e-bike, plus a helmet and a pannier or backpack, along with lights and a lock. You’ll also get a smartphone app with custom navigation so you can follow the route without needing to second-guess yourself every few minutes.

Here’s what you must bring:

• A fully charged smartphone with Ridewithgps installed (navigation requirement)
• Your own water bottle (not included)

Two helpful constraints are built into the booking too. You need to be over 155cm in height and under 120kgs, because the bikes and fit are set up for that range. There’s also a maximum of 10 riders, which usually keeps the handover process smooth.

If you’re the type who likes to plan around comfort, I’d also bring bike shorts or bike pants. The route is long enough that seat comfort becomes a factor, and that’s the kind of thing you can manage before you start.

From Mooball to Murwillumbah: the Northern Rivers Rail Trail in real terms

The rail trail section is the spine of the day: roughly 25km along an old railway line, ending in Murwillumbah. It’s the “no cars, no stress” part of the tour, with old bridges, remnants of the track, and enough variety that you don’t feel stuck riding the same stretch.

Mooball (start at Moo Moo roadhouse)

You begin at 5889 Tweed Valley Way in Mooball, riding out from the legendary Moo Moo roadhouse. The practical value here is the setup time: bikes are waiting, and the team helps you get your helmet, app navigation, and riding gear sorted before you go. This is also where you’ll get oriented fast—use that time to check battery levels and make sure you’re comfortable with how the e-bike assists.

You also have an optional idea baked into the route. If you want a shorter day, there’s an option to cycle back from Mooball to Crabbes Creek on a lovely rail trail section, including the first tunnel at Mills Road. Crabbes Creek is also noted for a cute general store stop, which can make the ride feel more like an out-and-about day than a full endurance outing.

Burringbar (the nicest village stop)

Burringbar is one of those places where the rail trail doesn’t just pass through—it adds character. You’ll have time around 20 minutes, and there are a few practical choices within that window: The Barn for coffee and food, Brooklyn for wine tasting, and Heaths Antiquities if you like browsing old stuff for a while. This is a good stop to reset, grab a snack, and decide how long you want to linger.

One small drawback: village stops are never “quick and perfect” for everyone. If you’re very short on time, keep your choices simple at Burringbar so you don’t end up rushed later at the tunnel.

Stokers Siding and the Burringbar Tunnel

Between Burringbar and Stokers is the big rail trail star: the Burringbar Tunnel, a 524m stretch that’s described as the longest tunnel on this rail trail. It’s a true “slow down” moment because tunnels change the mood—cooler air, echoing sounds, and that classic sense of riding into something unexpected.

There’s also a specific natural detail worth knowing: the longer tunnel section includes glowworms and microbats. You can’t control when wildlife is most active, but it makes the ride feel more than just infrastructure. It’s a reason to take your time and ride steadily through rather than rushing.

Dunbible (historic railway bridge photo moment)

Just before Dunbible, you cross a historic railway bridge at Dunbible Creek. This is a short stop (about 5 minutes), but it’s the kind of photo opportunity rail trail days are made for. It’s also a good place to stretch your legs without turning the day into a stop-and-go marathon.

Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre (culture detour)

At the rail trail’s midpoint, there’s a detour option toward the Tweed Regional Gallery and the Margaret Olley Art Centre. If you like art, this break is a nice change of pace from cycling. You’ll get around 30 minutes, and it’s set in a stunning location, with the Apex restaurant nearby if you want a longer sit-down break.

If you’re not an art person, don’t force it. The route will still work if you breeze through, but that time can be used for snacks or simply enjoying the ride.

Murwillumbah: where the rail trail ends and lunch planning starts

Murwillumbah is the end of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, and it’s also the spot where you’ll naturally start thinking about lunch. You’ll have about 30 minutes here, which is just enough time to grab food without losing your momentum for the rainforest climb afterward.

You’ve got several lunch options listed:

• Wild Thyme dining
• Ju Jus
• Relish for simpler café-style food
• The Imperial Hotel, plus an award-winning gelato bar next door

This is also where the M|Arts Precinct comes in (around 20 minutes). It’s a compact cluster of artists and creative businesses under one roof, so you get a burst of local culture without leaving the cycling day behind. There are food options inside the precinct too, including Bistro Livi, Ben’s patisserie, and a cheese shop.

Practical tip: plan your lunch like a cyclist, not like a tourist. Eat something that won’t sit heavy when you’re about to climb out of town into rainforest and toward Bilambil.

Leaving the rail trail: rainforest lanes, cane fields, and Mount Wollombin views

After Murwillumbah, the ride shifts. You’ll climb on your e-bike through lush rainforest and then move toward cane fields, with views across the plains toward Mount Wollombin. The point of this section isn’t that it’s technical—it’s that it feels like the hinterland unfolding around you.

This is where the e-bike support turns from “nice” to genuinely useful. Even if you’re reasonably fit, the combo of longer distances plus a climb is hard to time perfectly. The assist helps you keep a steady rhythm so you can enjoy the scenery instead of fighting for energy.

The road between Murwillumbah and Husk Farm Distillery is described as a truly beautiful ride, with fresh forest air and wide outlooks. You’ll want to slow down when the views open up, because it’s not the kind of road where you’ll want to stop suddenly at every photo spot. Aim for a steady pace, and use natural pull-offs or safe moments to look around.

Husk Farm Distillery finish: the best kind of reward after effort

The tour ends at Husk Distillers in the grounds of Husk Farm Distillery in North Tumbulgum. You’ll spend around 30 minutes there, and the day closes with the feeling of arriving somewhere that’s built for relaxing.

You can choose how you want to finish:

• Sit back in the grounds
• Eat something on site
• Enjoy signature options like their Squid Ink gin and tonics
• If you prefer other drinks, the distillery also offers a distillery tour and signature cocktails such as a Husk Rum option and Ink Gin & Tonic

The value here is psychological. After a half-day of cycling, you don’t want to “find” a good place for a drink. You want to land in the kind of setting where a gin & tonic feels like a natural finish, not a random stop.

Also, because the return transfer is included, you don’t need to worry about bike pickup timing like a logistics puzzle. You finish, they handle the bikes, and you’re returned to Mooball.

Price and value: is $128.39 worth it?

At $128.39 per person, this is priced like an experience that combines several real costs:

• e-bike rental with proper gear (helmet, lights, lock, hi-viz backpack)
• smartphone-based route guidance
• a car-free rail trail route that’s long enough to feel like a full outing
• and the big one: return transfer included

Where it becomes good value is in how much you avoid mentally. You’re not planning a loop, hunting for bike logistics, or worrying about how to get back. For a 5 to 6 hour day, it’s a solid way to see the Tweed hinterland without turning the day into a spreadsheet.

The main cost that isn’t included is simple: food and drinks at stops plus your water bottle. If you budget for lunch and a drink at Husk, you’ll feel like you got what you paid for. If you want to keep spending low, just plan quick buys at Burringbar and Murwillumbah, and then treat Husk as the one bigger splurge.

Who this e-bike tour suits best (and who should think twice)

This ride makes sense if you want an active day that still feels manageable. The route mix—rail trail, villages, art, tunnels, rainforest lanes, and cane field views—keeps the day from going flat. The e-bike support means you can enjoy the scenery without needing to train for a cycling race first.

It’s also a strong choice if you like self-guided travel. You get enough structure to stay confident, but enough freedom to stop for coffee, pictures, or that one extra tunnel moment.

Consider thinking twice if:

• You don’t want to use your own smartphone for navigation (Ridewithgps is required)
• Weather could be an issue for you
• You’re outside the bike fit requirements (over 155cm, under 120kgs)

If you’re traveling as a couple, a small group, or solo, the max of 10 riders and the included setup and pickup make it feel organized without feeling rigid.

Should you book the Husk Distillery e-bike self tour?

I’d book it if you want one half-day that checks multiple boxes: car-free rail trail riding, a proper tunnel moment at Burringbar, and a rewarding finish at Husk Farm Distillery. The included return transfer is the kind of detail that saves energy for the fun parts.

Book it sooner rather than later if your dates are firm. It’s commonly booked about 25 days in advance, and a small group size (max 10) can help it fill up.

If you’re ready to ride at your own pace, bring a charged phone, and plan for lunch breaks, this is an easy yes. It’s not just bike rental—it’s a full day out in the Tweed hinterland.

FAQ

How long is the e-bike tour from Mooball to Husk Farm Distillery?

It runs for about 5 to 6 hours.

Is a return transfer included?

Yes. Return transfer is included, with pickup after the Husk Distillery finish back to Mooball.

What e-bike models are provided?

You’ll be given a FOCUS or KALKHOFF e-bike.

Do I need to bring anything for navigation?

Yes. You need a fully charged smartphone with the Ridewithgps app installed.

Is a water bottle included?

No. You should bring your own water bottle.

Are there height and weight limits?

Yes. Participants must be over 155cm and under 120kgs.

How long is the Northern Rivers Rail Trail section and are there tunnels?

The rail trail section to Murwillumbah is 25km and includes two tunnels, including a 524m tunnel with glowworms and microbats.

You Might Also Enjoy

Dublin: 2-Hour Premium Whiskey and Food Tasting TourGreat Jones Distilling Co. NYC Craft Whiskey Tour and TastingSpeyside Whisky Full Day Private Tour from InvernessPrivate Tour , Blarney Castle, jameson Distillery and Cobh.