Self Guide E Bike Tour – Husk Distillery, Rainforest & Rail Trail

The best part of this ride is the variety. You pedal from the Moo Moo roadhouse in Mooball along an old railway route, through the 524-metre Burringbar Tunnel, past cane fields and rainforest, then finish with a drink at Husk Farm Distillery. The route can cover about 50 kilometres, but the electric assistance makes the hills far less daunting.

I like the freedom to stop for coffee, lunch, art or a village wander instead of being tied to a guide’s pace. I also like the practical finish: the return transfer takes you and the bikes back to Mooball, so you do not need to retrace the route. The main consideration is distance. Even with an e-bike, this is a serious half-day ride, and bike shorts, water and a charged phone will make a real difference.

Key points to know before you ride

• The 524-metre Burringbar Tunnel: Ride through the longest tunnel on this section of the rail trail, where glowworms and microbats may be visible.
• A route with real variety: Expect rail trail, historic bridges, cane fields, rainforest roads, village stops and views toward Mount Wollumbin.
• Self-guided freedom: The RidewithGPS app keeps you on course while you choose how long to spend at Burringbar, Murwillumbah or the gallery.
• A satisfying finish: Husk Farm Distillery provides a relaxed end point, with food, cocktails and signature gin drinks available to buy.
• Quality equipment included: You receive a Focus or Kalkhoff e-bike, helmet, lights, lock and pannier or hi-viz backpack.
• Plan for a long ride: Bring your own water bottle, fully charged smartphone and enough time for stops.

Why this ride works so well

This is not simply a bike rental with a line drawn on a map. It is a point-to-point outing through the Tweed hinterland, with the route doing much of the sightseeing work for you. The old Northern Rivers Rail Trail gives you a safe, car-free beginning, then the ride shifts into quiet roads, rainforest and open sugarcane country before reaching Husk.

The route has a pleasing rhythm. You start with an easy setup in Mooball, settle into the rail trail, pause in small villages, pass through a long tunnel and reach Murwillumbah for food or culture. After that, you leave the former railway line and climb toward Husk, where the electric motor matters most.

I especially like the self-guided format for people who dislike being rushed. You can stop for a coffee at The Barn in Burringbar, look around M|Arts in Murwillumbah, or take a proper break at the Tweed Regional Gallery. You are not waiting for a group to finish taking photographs.

There is a trade-off. You need to manage your own time, navigation, food and energy. The app helps with directions, but it does not replace common sense. Check your route before setting off, keep your phone charged and allow room in the day for a slower pace.

Starting in Mooball with the right gear

The meeting point is at the Moo Moo roadhouse, at 5889 Tweed Valley Way in Mooball. The ride begins at 9:30 am, and the team sets up your bike before you leave.

You receive a Focus or Kalkhoff e-bike, helmet, lights, lock and either a pannier or hi-viz backpack. The setup also includes navigation through the RidewithGPS app. Steve and Brett are named as part of the team that prepares riders and explains the route, and the practical approach is clear: get the equipment ready, show you how the app works and let you ride.

Bring your own fully charged smartphone. You also need to install RidewithGPS before arriving. This is an easy detail to miss, but it matters because your phone is the route guide.

You must be over 155 centimetres tall and weigh under 120 kilograms. Most people can take part, but this is still a physical activity. The motor helps with hills, not with sitting on the bike for several hours. One useful tip is to wear proper cycling shorts if you are not used to long-distance riding. The supplied seats are described as soft, but comfort is still personal.

Mooball to Crabbes Creek: an easy start

From Mooball, you can ride toward Crabbes Creek on a pleasant section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail. The first tunnel is at Mills Road, and Crabbes Creek has a small general store for a snack or drink.

This opening section is a good place to get comfortable with the e-bike. Try the assistance levels, check that your phone is secure and make sure the saddle feels right before you get too far from the starting point.

The rail trail is the star here. You follow the path of the former railway, with no cars on the trail itself. Old bridges, remnants of the railway and broad views give the ride a sense of place without requiring hard climbs at the beginning.

If you stop at Crabbes Creek, keep an eye on the clock. The tour has many tempting breaks, and the final transfer from Husk is arranged for the end of the day. A leisurely start is fine, but a long café stop early on could make the later rainforest section feel rushed.

Burringbar: the best village pause

Burringbar is one of the nicest places to stop on the route. The Barn offers coffee and food, Brooklyn provides a wine tasting room, and Heaths Antiquities is a shop packed with old objects.

This is where the self-guided format earns its keep. You can make the stop as short or long as you like. A quick coffee keeps the ride moving, while a longer break lets you enjoy the village rather than treating it as a waypoint.

Burringbar is also useful for checking your supplies. Food and drinks are not included, so this is a good place to buy what you need. You should not count on the tour price covering snacks, lunch or drinks at the distillery.

The Burringbar Tunnel and Stokers Siding

The 524-metre Burringbar Tunnel is the route’s most memorable feature. Riding into a long, dark railway tunnel is a small adventure, especially after the open views of the trail.

Glowworms and microbats may be seen inside, though they are natural wildlife, not a guaranteed attraction. Your bike lights are included, which is important here. Slow down, keep your attention on the surface and avoid treating the tunnel as a race.

The tunnel sits between Burringbar and Stokers Siding. This section gives the ride a clear sense of change: village, rail cutting, tunnel, then open country again. It is also one reason the route feels more like an outing than a standard cycle hire.

Dunbible Creek and the old railway line

Near Dunbible, you cross the historic railway bridge at Dunbible Creek. It is a short stop, but a worthwhile one for photographs.

The bridge helps explain the route’s character. You are not simply riding through generic countryside. The trail follows an old transport line, and its bridges and railway remnants remain part of the experience.

This section is also a reminder to keep the pace sensible. The tour includes many brief points of interest, but stopping for every photograph can add up. I would take a few good pictures, then save a longer break for the gallery, Murwillumbah or Husk.

A worthwhile detour to Tweed Regional Gallery

The Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre require a slight detour from the rail trail. For anyone who enjoys art, this is one of the most valuable optional stops.

The gallery sits in a scenic location and includes the Apex restaurant. That combination makes it more than a quick indoor break. You can look at art, eat a proper meal and give your legs time to recover before the final part of the route.

The drawback is time. A gallery visit works best if you are happy to shorten another stop. You cannot treat every option as essential and still expect an unhurried ride to Husk.

Murwillumbah gives you lunch choices

Murwillumbah marks the end of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail and offers the largest choice of food on the route. Suggested options include Wild Thyme dining, Ju Jus, Relish for a simpler café stop and the Imperial Hotel. An award-winning gelato bar next to the Imperial gives you one more reason to pause.

The town is a practical midpoint. If you have been riding steadily, this is the right place for a proper lunch rather than relying on snacks. You can also use the stop to review the remaining route in the app and make sure your phone still has enough charge.

The ride may total around 50 kilometres, depending on the exact route and stops. That makes Murwillumbah more than a sightseeing stop. It is your chance to eat enough, drink water and decide how much time you want to spend at the next cultural stop.

M|Arts for a compact culture break

The M|Arts Precinct gathers artists and creative businesses under one roof in Murwillumbah. You may find galleries, food and small shops here, including Bistro Livi, Ben’s patisserie and a cheese shop.

This stop has a different feel from the rural rail trail. It gives you a look at Murwillumbah’s creative side without requiring a long detour or a full museum visit.

You can browse briefly or build a longer break around food. As with the gallery, the choice is yours, but your schedule matters. The route still has a climb and descent ahead before Husk.

Leaving the rail trail for rainforest roads

After Murwillumbah, the character of the ride changes. You leave the flat former railway line and take a beautiful road toward Husk, climbing through rainforest and passing views across cane fields toward Mount Wollumbin.

This is the section where the e-bike earns its price. The electric motor takes the sting out of the hills, letting you enjoy the forest air and views without turning the ride into a test of fitness. You still need to pedal, but the assistance makes the climb manageable for a wider range of riders.

The road section is less protected from traffic than the rail trail, so pay attention to the app and your surroundings. The route description highlights winding lanes and open cane fields, which means you should stay alert and ride at a pace that feels comfortable.

The descent toward Husk is a welcome reward. It also means you should not spend all your energy early in the day. A steady pace is smarter than racing the flat sections.

Finishing at Husk Farm Distillery

Husk Farm Distillery in North Tumbulgum is the final stop, at 1152 Dulguigan Road. The grounds give you a relaxed place to finish after the long ride.

You can buy food or order a signature drink, including a Husk rum cocktail or Squid Ink gin and tonic. The drink is not included in the tour price, so budget separately for your final treat.

The distillery works well as an ending because you do not need to ride back to Mooball. The team loads the bikes and returns you to the starting point. That transfer is a major practical benefit, particularly after a ride that can reach about 50 kilometres.

You can also take a distillery tour, but the supplied information does not promise that it is part of the e-bike package. Treat it as an additional option and check the arrangements if it is important to you.

Is $128.39 good value?

At $128.39 per person, the price is fair if you plan to use the full route. You are paying for a quality e-bike, helmet, lights, lock, pannier or backpack, navigation support and the return transfer. You also get a planned route that links the rail trail, villages, rainforest and distillery.

The value is strongest for anyone who would otherwise need to arrange a bike, map a long route and organize transport back from Husk. A normal bike rental could cost less, but it would not provide the same help on the hills or solve the one-way transport problem.

Food, drinks and the distillery experience cost extra. You should also bring your own water bottle, rather than expecting one to be supplied.

The small group limit of 10 helps keep the setup manageable, but this is not a guided group ride. The main service is equipment, route support and transport, while you control the day.

Who should book this ride?

I would choose this tour if you want an active way to see the Tweed hinterland and like making your own stops. It suits couples, friends and families who can handle several hours on a bike and prefer a flexible day to a fixed sightseeing bus.

It is also a strong choice if you are staying around Byron Bay and want to get beyond the coast. The rail trail, small villages, gallery, rainforest and distillery give you a much broader picture of the region.

I would think twice if you dislike cycling for long periods, want a fully guided experience or prefer every meal and activity to be included. The ride is forgiving because of the motor, but it is still long. You need to navigate, manage your time and pay for anything you eat or drink.

Book at least a few weeks ahead if possible. This experience is often reserved about 25 days in advance, and the group is limited to 10 people.

My call: a rewarding full-day-style outing

Book this if you want a self-directed ride with more substance than a simple bike hire. The 524-metre tunnel, old railway bridges, Burringbar village, Murwillumbah stops and rainforest climb create a varied day, while the Husk finish and return transfer remove much of the logistical worry.

The main question is stamina. Bring water, install RidewithGPS, charge your phone and allow time for the route. If you do that, the e-bike turns a demanding distance into a manageable and memorable way to see the hinterland.

FAQ

Where does the e-bike tour start?

The tour starts at the Moo Moo roadhouse, 5889 Tweed Valley Way, Mooball NSW 2483. The scheduled start time is 9:30 am.

Where does the tour finish?

The ride finishes at Husk Farm Distillery, 1152 Dulguigan Road, North Tumbulgum NSW 2490.

Is transport back to Mooball included?

Yes. The team collects you and the bikes from Husk Distillery and returns you to Mooball.

How long does the experience last?

The experience takes approximately five to six hours.

What type of bike is provided?

You receive a Focus or Kalkhoff e-bike.

What equipment is included?

The package includes a helmet, pannier or backpack, lights, lock and custom smartphone navigation through RidewithGPS.

Do I need to bring my own phone?

Yes. Bring your own fully charged smartphone with the RidewithGPS app installed.

Is food or drink included?

No. You must pay separately for food and drinks at the stops and at Husk Farm Distillery. You should also bring your own water bottle.

Are there participation requirements?

Participants must be over 155 centimetres tall and weigh under 120 kilograms. The group can include a maximum of 10 people.