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From young toddlers to a 101-year-old centenarian, trailblazers turned out in force over the weekend to participate in community celebrations to mark the opening of the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.
More than 2,000 people from near and far are estimated to have flocked to the 24km section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail over the weekend (25 & 26 March) to join in everything from making their own smoothies on blender bikes at Murwillumbah Railway Station to viewing the interactive wildlife show presented by the Wildlife Twins at Mooball.
Live music was popular at all the main station nodes and rest stops along the Rail Trail, while a cultural immersion project hosted by the Biren Cultural Group at Burringbar included a community art piece where everyone was invited to leave their mark. Final touches are now being added to the artwork which will be gifted to the Rail Trail as a permanent reminder of the popular event.
Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry thanked everyone who helped make the weekend such a success, including the Tweed Byron Police District, whose officers were on hand across the weekend to ensure the safety and security of guests.
“The enthusiasm of the many locals and visitors who came to the Rail Trail to share in the fun was palpable and made for a fantastic, positive vibe across the weekend,” Cr Cherry said.
“Trail guests keep telling us how friendly everyone was and how their positive experience had been underscored by the quality of the trail, the scenic and shaded trail experience and how impressed they were by the local villages along the way.
“This was a true celebration of the natural beauty of the Tweed, our Aboriginal culture and rail heritage and I’d like to thank the community members and organisations who helped make the weekend such a success for the trail and our villages.”
Cr Cherry paid particular thanks to the many community organisations, volunteers and supporters who contributed to the event, including Cycling Without Age – Gold Coast, adjoining landowners and local businesses who so enriched the experience. As well as the committed volunteers from Northern Rivers Rail Trail Supporters and Rail Trails Australia.
“I’d like to say a special thanks to the volunteers from Cycling Without Age who were in hot demand across the weekend and whose tireless pedalling enabled people of all ages and abilities to experience the magic of the Rail Trail for themselves,” Cr Cherry said.
“We are determined to explore ways this incredible Rail Trail can be enjoyed and accessed by all.”
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