Getting here and parking

Getting here

Located on the New South Wales Far North Coast, the Northern Rivers Rail Trail is in the heart of a thriving region that offers visitors a kaleidoscope of activities. The Old Casino Railway Station or Lismore Railway Station are both great starting points. Casino is 66 km from Ballina Byron Gateway Airport and 130 km from Gold Coast Airport, and Lismore is 35 km from Ballina Byron Gateway Airport and 100 km from Gold Coast Airport with daily flights from all capital cities.

We hope this guide helps you plan your visit to the Northern Rivers Rail Trail. We do suggest that anyone with a disability read the access for all information, plan your trip and consider travelling with a friend, family member, carer or supporter on your first visit.

Directions and car parking

We encourage users to start and end their journey at a Rail Trail station or designated parking area. We understand that visitors of varying abilities will start and finish their adventures at different parts of the Rail Trail, so we have provided the following guide to access and parking at different sites of the Casino to Lismore section.

Old Casino Station

The Old Casino Station, located off Dyrabba Street in Casino, is the official start of the Casino to Bentley section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail. The car park provides ground level entry to the Rail Trail, toilets, water and bike facilities. It has 46 car parks and two accessible carparks. Coming from Lismore on the Bruxner Highway (Johnston Street) – turn right onto Spring Grove Road. Coming from the south – follow Centre Street through to Johnston Street, taking the third exit at the roundabout. From the west, turn left onto Dyraaba Street.

Spring Grove Road car park

Parking is available at the Spring Grove Road Carpark, 650m east of the trail head at the Old Casino Train Stations. It contains 120 car parks with two accessible carparks.

Naughtons Gap Road car park

Located next to Spring Grove Road carpark is the Naughtons Gap Road carpark, which has three carparks, and six car and trailer parks for horses. This is the main access to the bridle trail, and a water trough is available.

Bentley Road car park

If you are starting your Rail Trail journey from Bentley, there are toilet and bike facilities available, along with 32 car parks including two accessible parks as well as eight car and trailer spaces for horses to enter the trail at this location.

Lismore Railway Station

The Rail Trail car park is adjacent to the iconic heritage-listed Lismore Railway Station. The Station provides ground-level entry to the Rail Trail, toilets, water, and bike facilities. It has 42 car spots, two accessible car spots and one car spot suitable for caravan parking. Coming from Casino or the Bruxner Highway and Union Street, turn right into the car park. Coming from Nimbin, Kyogle, or Woodlark Street and Union Street, turn left at the roundabout and then right into the car park.

Bungabbee Road (Oaky Creek Bridge) car park

An informal car park with a gravel surface is available near Oakey Creek Bridge. While it has been designed to accommodate 9 horse trailers, cars can also park here.

Nesbitt Park

Nesbitt Park is connected to the Rail Trail via a shared path and can accommodate parking for 28 cars, including accessibility requirements.