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

The best part of this self-guided e-bike tour is the changing scenery. You begin beside the old railway line at Mooball, pedal through cane fields and small villages, pass over historic bridges, then enter a 524-metre tunnel before heading into rainforest and on to Husk Farm Distillery.

I like the freedom to set your own pace, and I like the practical finish: your bike and gear are collected at Husk, so you can enjoy a drink without facing the ride back. The main consideration is distance. The full outing can reach about 50 kilometres, and even an electric bike does not remove the need for a comfortable saddle, water, and some cycling stamina.

Key points to know before you book

• A 25-kilometre rail trail: Follow the Northern Rivers Rail Trail along a car-free former railway route toward Murwillumbah.
• A 524-metre tunnel: The Burringbar Tunnel may contain glowworms and microbats, so bring care and a sense of adventure.
• Rainforest climbs made easier: The e-bike helps on the road from Murwillumbah toward Bilambil and Husk Distillery.
• Good food stops: Burringbar, Murwillumbah, the Tweed Regional Gallery and M|Arts all give you places to pause.
• A useful return transfer: The operator loads the bikes at Husk and drives you back to Mooball.
• A small group setup: The tour accepts a maximum of 10 people and begins at 9:30 am.

Why this ride works so well

This is more than a standard bike rental. Beyond Byron E Bikes prepares a Focus or Kalkhoff electric bike, helmet, lights, lock, hi-viz backpack or pannier, and a phone-based navigation system. Steve and Brett are noted as making the arrival briefing clear and getting the Ride with GPS app ready before you leave.

That matters because the route is long and varied. You are not following a guide in a tight group, nor are you left to guess every turn with a paper map. The app gives you the route, while you decide when to stop for coffee, art, lunch, photographs, or a breather.

The electric assist is especially useful after the rail trail. The early riding is relatively straightforward, but the road toward Husk includes uphill sections through rainforest. You still pedal, but the motor takes the edge off the climbs. That makes the route possible for a wider range of cycling abilities, though it does not turn a five to six-hour outing into a passive sightseeing trip.

The high point is the mix of places. One hour you are rolling along a former railway line with no cars. Later you are in a dark tunnel, then among cane fields, and later still on a forest road with views toward Mount Wollumbin. The reward comes at Husk Farm Distillery, where you can settle in with food, a signature cocktail, or a Squid Ink gin and tonic.

Starting at Mooball with a prepared e-bike

The tour begins at the Moo Moo Roadhouse in Mooball at 9:30 am. The meeting point is at 5889 Tweed Valley Way, opposite the roadhouse. The team arrives with the bikes and sets you up with your helmet, hi-viz bag, lock, lights, and phone navigation.

Bring your own fully charged smartphone with the Ride with GPS app installed. You also need your own water bottle. These are small details, but they affect the morning. A route of this length is not the place to start with a low phone battery or no water.

The setup is one of the stronger parts of the experience. The bikes are described as well maintained and ready to ride, and the electric assistance makes the first long section less tiring. You can ask questions before leaving, then guide yourself rather than keeping up with a group.

Mooball is also a useful starting point because you can choose how much of the route to ride. The full journey continues toward Murwillumbah and Husk, but the route includes several possible stops and a section between Mooball and Crabbes Creek that works well as an early taste of the rail trail.

Mooball to Crabbes Creek and the first tunnel

The route can include the lovely section from Mooball to Crabbes Creek. This is your first chance to settle into the bike and see how the old railway corridor has been turned into a recreational path.

At Mills Road, you reach the first tunnel on the route. It is a small preview of the larger Burringbar Tunnel later in the day. Crabbes Creek also has a cute general store, giving you an early chance to pick up a snack or pause before the longer ride.

This is a good place to judge your pace. You may be tempted to push on because the surface is easy and the electric motor feels effortless. Resist that urge if you want time for the villages, gallery, tunnel, and Husk stop. The route offers plenty, but the day is not a race.

Burringbar, the best village stop

Burringbar is one of the most appealing breaks on the route. It has enough character and food options to make a proper pause worthwhile, rather than just a quick stretch beside the bike.

The Barn is recommended for coffee and food. Brooklyn offers a wine tasting room, while Heaths Antiquities is packed with old items to browse. You can choose a short coffee stop or turn Burringbar into a slower village visit.

I would allow more than the briefest possible stop here if you enjoy small-town browsing. The electric bike helps you cover ground, but the charm of this ride comes from stopping often enough to notice the places along the way.

Through the Burringbar Tunnel

Between Burringbar and Stokers Siding, the 524-metre Burringbar Tunnel is the route’s most memorable feature. It is the longest tunnel on the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, and riding through it feels very different from a normal open-air cycle path.

The tunnel may have glowworms and microbats. Keep your lights on, ride carefully, and do not rush through simply to reach the other side. The dark interior is part of the fun, but it also calls for sensible spacing and attention.

For some people, the tunnel will be the day’s highlight. For others, it may be the one section that feels slightly challenging. If enclosed spaces bother you, this is worth considering before booking. The route is designed as an adventure, not a polished cycleway with nothing unexpected.

Stokers Siding, Dunbible and the old railway line

The line between Stokers Siding and Dunbible gives you a continued sense of the former railway route. You are riding through countryside rather than dealing with regular traffic, which lets you focus on the scenery and the steady rhythm of the bike.

Just before Dunbible, you cross the historic railway bridge over Dunbible Creek. It is a natural photograph stop, and the five-minute suggested pause makes sense if you want to record the setting without losing too much time.

This part of the day is less about a single attraction and more about the pleasure of moving through the Tweed hinterland under your own power. Cane fields, old railway features, bridges, and open views keep the ride varied.

A cultural detour to the Tweed Regional Gallery

The Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre sit a short detour from the rail trail. This is an excellent option if you want more than a bike ride. The gallery has art, a striking setting, and the Apex restaurant for food.

The suggested visit is around 30 minutes, though art lovers may want longer. The tradeoff is time. Every detour and meal stop reduces the amount of time available for a relaxed ride toward Husk, so decide early whether you want a gallery-focused day or a more continuous cycling journey.

I like this stop because it breaks up the physical effort with something quiet and cultural. It also gives you a sensible lunch option before the road section to the distillery.

Murwillumbah marks the end of the rail trail

Murwillumbah is the end of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail and a natural place to stop for lunch. Suggested choices include Wild Thyme, Ju Jus, Relish for a simple cafe meal, or the Imperial Hotel. An award-winning gelato bar next door adds an easy dessert option.

The M|Arts Precinct is another worthwhile stop. It brings artists and creative businesses together under one roof, with Bistro Livi, Ben’s patisserie, and a cheese shop among the food options.

These stops give you control over the day. You can have a proper meal, browse local businesses, or keep moving. If you choose lunch in Murwillumbah, remember that the ride is not finished. The rainforest road and final run to Husk still lie ahead.

The rainforest road to Husk Distillery

After Murwillumbah, the ride changes character. You leave the flatter rail trail and follow a beautiful road toward Husk Farm Distillery. The e-bike becomes more valuable here, helping you climb through rainforest and reach views across cane fields toward Mount Wollumbin.

This is where the route earns its name. The day is not just an out-and-back cycle along a single path. You get the old railway corridor first, then a road ride with hills, forest air, and broad views.

The climbs still require effort, and the full distance can approach 50 kilometres. Some riders describe bike pants as worthwhile if they are not used to riding long distances. The supplied seats are soft, but comfort over several hours depends on your own riding habits as much as on the bike.

You should also watch the clock. A long coffee stop, gallery visit, and lunch can turn the final section into a rushed ride. The app helps with navigation, but it does not manage your pace for you.

Ending at Husk Farm Distillery

The finish at Husk Farm Distillery is a smart choice. After hours on the bike, you arrive at expansive grounds where you can eat, take a distillery tour, or simply relax with a Husk Rum cocktail or Ink Gin and Tonic.

The signature Squid Ink gin and tonic is the obvious celebratory drink, though you are responsible for paying for food and drinks. This is not an included tasting package. The listed tour price covers the e-bike equipment, navigation, and return transfer, while meals and drinks are extra.

The staff then load the bikes and drive you back to Mooball. That return transfer is a major practical advantage. Without it, you would either need to retrace the route or arrange separate transport, and the day would lose much of its appeal.

What the $128.39 price delivers

At $128.39 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to rent a bicycle for a few hours. The value improves if you plan to ride the full route. You are paying for a quality electric bike, helmet, lights, lock, pannier or backpack, navigation setup, route planning, and the end-of-day transfer.

You also avoid arranging two separate transport legs between Mooball and Husk. That matters because the route is designed as a one-way journey, with the scenery changing as you go.

Food, drinks, and the distillery experience itself are not included. If you want the gallery restaurant, lunch in Murwillumbah, and cocktails at Husk, budget for those separately. The tour works best when you see the price as payment for a prepared adventure rather than a bare bike hire.

The group limit of 10 keeps the setup manageable. Because the ride is self-guided, the small maximum matters less for group conversation than for equipment preparation and the feel of the departure.

Who will enjoy this ride most

You should book this if you like active days with room to make your own choices. Couples, friends, families with suitable riders, and people staying around Byron Bay who want to get into the hinterland will find plenty to enjoy.

It also suits anyone who likes a clear finish line. The promise of Husk Distillery gives the long ride a pleasant purpose, especially if you enjoy local drinks and food after outdoor activity.

You may want a different experience if you want a guided commentary, a short casual ride, or a tour where every meal and tasting is included. This is self-guided, and you need to manage your time, phone, water, and energy.

Participants must be over 155 centimetres tall and weigh under 120 kilograms. Most people can take part, but you should be comfortable spending five to six hours on a bike.

Weather also matters. The experience requires good conditions. If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, a memorable tunnel, rainforest riding, and a relaxed drink at Husk in one day. The excellent bike setup, easy app navigation, and return transfer remove much of the usual fuss.

Think twice if 50 kilometres sounds excessive or if you prefer a guided ride with no route decisions. For fit or moderately active riders who enjoy stopping for coffee, art, lunch, and photographs, this is a well-planned way to see the Tweed hinterland at your own pace.

FAQ

Where does the e-bike tour start?

It starts at the Moo Moo Roadhouse, 5889 Tweed Valley Way, Mooball, NSW 2483. The 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. The bikes are collected there, and you receive a return transfer to Mooball.

How long does the tour take?

The experience lasts approximately five to six hours.

How far is the ride?

The Northern Rivers Rail Trail section runs for 25 kilometres. The complete ride can reach about 50 kilometres, depending on the route and stops.

Is the tour guided?

No. It is a self-guided ride using a custom route through the Ride with GPS smartphone app.

What equipment is included?

You receive a Focus or Kalkhoff e-bike, helmet, lights, lock, pannier or backpack, and smartphone app navigation.

What do I need to bring?

Bring your own fully charged smartphone with the Ride with GPS app installed, plus your own water bottle. Food and drinks at stops are not included.

Who can participate?

Participants must be over 155 centimetres tall and weigh under 120 kilograms. The tour accepts a maximum of 10 people.