Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail

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Tumbarumba, NSW
Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail

21km rail trail on the disused rail corridor, funded by State Gov, managed by SVC. Opened 3/4/2020 Mobility scooters, wheelchairs, e-scooters allowed.

Rail Trails:
* Disused rail lines are a publicly owned resource that the public should be able to benefit from. Our Rail Trail:
* A 21km cycling and pedestrian rail trail from Tumbarumba to Rosewood using the disused rail corridor. No horses, dogs or motorbikes.
* The trail attracts tourists for longer stays, enhances local employment, creates business opportunities, provides history promotion and signage, creates a secure managed re-vegetation corridor, becomes a vehicle to promote Tumbarumba and provides a resource for special events. Future Links:
* to Wagga Wagga along the disused rail corridor through Humula and Tarcutta. Batlow to Tumut Rail Trail

Public Liability:
* The Rail Trail management body (SVC) takes responsibility along the full length of the trail regardless of ownership. Farmers do not carry any additional liability. In mid 2015 this project was awarded funding from NSW State Government to be the Pilot Rail Trail for NSW. On 22 June 2017 legislation was passed in NSW Parliament to officially close the line between Rosewood and Tumbarumba thereby allowing construction to begin on the rail trail as a pilot rail trail for NSW! The Rail Trail was opened 'virtually' on 3 April 2020, due to COID and a Family Fun Day 1 year celebration was held on 10 April 2021, with a ribbon cutting, speeches and cake! This page is administered by volunteers of the Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail Committee. For more information on accommodation, facilities and travel enquiries please contact the Visitor Information Centre in Tumbarumba on 0269483333 or email [email protected]

28/08/2026

This is a fabulous article in Flow Magazine mainly featuring Mt Tumbarumba, MTB trails, the pump track, the rail trail, plus it highlights MANY local businesses. What a great write up from Paul Van Der Ploeg!

Well done to all those involved in showing the group around (Cycle Tumbarumba) &
Mt Tumbarumba) and a great promotion of what cycling tourism can bring to a small town with a passionate community like ours!

…’we stopped to check out the 21km Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail. Opened in March 2020, this rail trail is what introduced cycle tourism to Tumbarumba. Peter from Cycle Tumba tells us that it helped to keep the town afloat through the pandemic, and proved to be a valuable data point when asking the community to get behind the Mt Tumba mountain bike trails.

It meanders through stunning farmlands, country vineyards, and rolling hills on the edge of the Snowies, and offers an entirely different flavour to any of the riding we’d done so far in Tumba. Along the way, you’ll find some old trestle bridges that were used for the original railway line, and remnants of the historic station platforms.

Like all rail trails, none of the hills are too steep, but the largest climb is coming back into the Tumbarumba station, one to keep in mind if you have tired little groms in tow.’

Read the full article here - it’s well worth it!

We had no idea what to expect in Tumbarumba. We found cows, granite, tech, plenty of gravity and a warm local community.

26/08/2026

Tumbafest is always a great weekend! Come and enjoy what we have to offer.

11/08/2026

We’re always happy to share our experiences to support the formation of rail trails in neighbouring areas. It’s good to be included in these types of talks.

01/08/2026

A perfect winter’s day out on the Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail - fresh temperatures, blue sky, green grass and snow views. Lots of walkers out today with just a few riders.
These fabulous snow views are from just off the trail along the Glenroy Hills Road.

01/07/2026

Although it might a bit cool there’s always the other mountain bike tracks (as mentioned) plus the Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail to warm you up.

The Mt Tumbarumba mountain bike park is now closed for the winter. We expect to open again in September for Spring.

Stay tuned for updates on when the network reopens.

Until then, we recommend exploring some of the other trails around town. The trails at Mason's Hill hold up really well in winter and make for an awesome adventure. 🏞️✨

17/05/2026

Sunday morning saw a group of regular trail riders out planting trees at Glenroy.

The bottlebrushes were the first group of donated trees from Isla and David Roussel, with more to come - many thanks!

Also thanks to the volunteers who always respond to calls for help. Many hands make light work!

Great to see many groups out riding too 🚲

19/04/2026

Today was a perfect autumn day for a ride on the rail trail. Not too hot, not too cold - just right!

14/04/2026

EntryBoss

Address

Figures Street
Tumbarumba, NSW
2653

Telephone

+61269483333

Website

https://www.tumbarumbarosewoodrailtrail.com.au/

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Our Story

What is a rail trail and why have them?

Rail trails are shared-use paths recycled from abandoned railway corridors. Usually managed by local councils for the enjoyment of the general public, rail trails can be used for a range of purposes including walking, cycling, running and are inclusive of those on mobility scooters, wheelchairs, prams and young children.

Disused rail lines are a publicly owned resource that the public should be able to benefit from. They cost the State Government money to keep safe and yet the public can't use or benefit from them.

Society has changed and tourism and recreational activities are now bigger business. Rail Trails unlock the potential for a simple, attractive resource that will attract visitors and that locals can also use.

For many people, especially from large towns and cities, they can be the most accessible way to experience the countryside without being on a road or having to hike along rough tracks in the bush.

Rail trails have been in operation in the USA for many decades and in Victoria for over 20 years. All states of Australia except NSW have them and are building more. NZ has identified them as an important part of their national tourism strategy.

Objectives:

Establish a cycling and pedestrian rail trail from Tumbarumba to Rosewood using the disused rail corridor, a distance of 21km. Mobility carts allowed. No horses, dogs or motorbikes.

The trail will attract tourists for longer stays, enhance local employment, create business opportunities (extra winery cellar doors, craft and local produce outlets, cycle hire, parts and transport), provide history promotion and signage, create a secure managed re-vegetation corridor, become a vehicle to promote Tumbarumba and provide a resource for special events.

Support:

The project has the overwhelming support of Tumbarumba business and tourism community, of the former Tumbarumba Shire Council (later merged with Tumut to become Snowy Valleys Council), of the vast majority of residents including youth associations and of cycling organisations.

Great care has been taken to consult landowners bordering the corridor so their needs are addressed.

Meetings have been held, feasibility studies undertaken and development plans submitted. In August 2014, Tumbarumba Shire Council submitted the first application for a Rail rail in NSW to the Transport Minister, via local Member Greg Aplin.

Design:

Based on successful Victorian models.

Follow the advice of consultants(Transplan Pty Ltd). MLLS have funded a full works scoping study - completed June 2014.

Follow existing rail corridor.

Use existing shared paths in Tumbarumba

Surface: initially of compressed gravel but upgraded to bitumen as grants obtained.

Bridges: Make safe with railings and flooring or detour until repaired.

Fencing: The corridor is enclosed to normal farm standards. Landowners consulted.

Access to water for stock assured.

Establishment funding:

Grant money sourced from State, Federal, local and benefactor.

Pilot Project status attracted State funds.

Maintenance:

MLLS provides ongoing w**d control and suitable re-vegetation.

Volunteer work groups, service clubs and Duke of Edinburgh participants.

Toilets already exist at track heads and partner businesses.

Garbage bins already exist at track heads. Users take rubbish with them.

Track-heads

Hammond Lane on Tumbarumba Creekscape, Wolter Cottages Tumbarumba, Figure Street Tumbarumba, Rosewood Memorial Park

Future Links:

to Wagga Wagga along the rail corridor.

Public Liability:

The Rail Trail management body takes responsibility along the full length of the trail regardless of ownership. Farmers do not carry any additional liability.

History of the Rail Trail project

Owen Fitzgerald started the ball rolling in 2003 after seeing a VHS video about the Otago rail trail in New Zealand. The Riverina Highlands Rail Trail committee was formed in 2004 and lobbied for support and funding from various organisations and government agencies.

In 2006 they were successful in getting a grant for $60000 for a feasibility study.While it was found the concept was feasible the project stalled for several years due to issues with officially closing the railway line.

In 2013 at a community meeting a steering committee was formed and it was decided to link the proposal to just one council area, Tumbarumba Shire, rather than dealing with other councils.

In 2014 committee members and councillors attended the official formation of Rail Trails for NSW in Parliament House Sydney. Local Member Greg Aplin became a champion of the cause at this time and is now retired and the Patron of the Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail.

In 2015 the NSWState Government created a formal funding application process for rail trails and an expression of interest was submitted by council and committee members. The project was awarded just under $5million and was the only rail trail to be awarded any funding. The project was made a Pilot Rail Trail for NSW, to be managed by the Tumbarumba Shire Council in consultation with the steering committee. A great result!!

In 2016 the political process to close the rail corridor started with another government multi-departmental committee formed to oversee the quite complex process. Another issue in 2016 was the merging of Tumut and Tumbarumba Shire councils into Snowy Valleys Council, which necessitated an administrator in place pending the local elections in September 2017 and construction was delayed as a result. Numerous changes to project personnel further frustrated progress.

In June 2017 an Act of Parliament allowed closure of the rail corridor and to permit the removal of infrastructure.

On 22 June 2017 legislation was passed in NSW Parliament to officially close the line between Rosewood and Tumbarumba thereby allowing construction to begin on this rail trail as a pilot rail trail for NSW!

In 2018 the corridor was transferred to Crown lands and SVC entrusted with its management. Parklands Albury Wodonga consulted with trail neighbours and bridge were assessed for rebuilding. Work could begin!

Work commenced in February 2019 and an official ‘sod turning’ celebration was held in April 2019.

January 2020 saw bushfires devastate the area for many weeks and the trees along the rail trail near Hyne Mill were bulldozed as a fire break.

On 3 April 2020 the rail trail was opened ‘virtually’ due the Covid-19 pandemic and only locals could use it for the first few months. With easing travel restrictions from June 1 2020 visitor numbers are set to increase.

It has been an interesting almost 18 year journey from dream to completion but it is certain that this Pilot Trail will lead the way for others.

Thanks to all those who have been involved in any way over the many years! It couldn’t have happened without you all. Please contact us if you have a specific question. [email protected] For a detailed guide to riding the rail trail, written by a local committee member, click this link: A guide to riding the Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail