Bicycle Rides and Bushwalks
of the Tweed Valley
by Robyn Cox, November 1998
Introduction
After several years of exploring the Tweed, we have
grown to enjoy many and varied bushwalks and cycle trips.
To narrow
this down to favourites is not easy, but a couple stand out for
a variety of reasons.
These include varied terrain, uniqueness of vegetation, outstanding views and access, and we like them.
Valley views photo © Robyn Cox 2000
Riding Route: Tomewin / Bilambil / Urliup Rd / Tomewin
- Murwillumbah
Outstanding views and quiet roads (some gravel) through
pockets of beautiful rainforest,
is a feature of this ride and a relief on hot summer days. A
mountain bike is the most suitable but a wide tyred road bike is
fine.
The ride can be undertaken by competent riders of average
skills and fitness, and takes between 2 and 5 hours depending on
fitness levels and your desired pace. As on all rides, water,
food and tyre repair kit should be carried.
This ride covers a variety of road conditions and terrain,
and features a swift, long down-hill and a five kilometre grind
up-hill at the very end. Cars can be left at the NSW/QLD
border gate.
The starting point can be altered to suit. If
a long hill is not your idea of a good finish to a ride, then it
is best to start the ride from Murwillumbah,
heading out of town past the showground following the signs to
Tomewin, up the hill to the border gate and back into Murwillumbah
via Glengarrie Road.
This description starts at the Tomewin Border gate:
On the NSW side of the border gate ride down Glengarrie Road. The
road is well formed dirt for a few klms then deteriorates to a fairly
rough dirt road (road bikes may have to be pushed at some sections).
Glengarrie Road is undulating with twists and turns for several klms,
through rainforest on the steep hills. Take your time on this section
as the environment is pleasant and the odd vehicle can be encountered
(people live on this road). Nice views over the Tweed Valley can
be seen to the south east.
Proceed to end of Glengarrie Rd where you will eventually get onto the
bitumen, and pass through the small hamlet of Carool. This road
leading to Bilambil has some undulation, but eventually a glorious down
hill for several klms ( don't forget the views).
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Bilambil
The next time you apply the brakes you have arrived at Bilambil; a quiet
village on a nice creek with a general store for provisions if needed.
Turn right at the round-about. You are now on Urliup Rd in the Bilambil
Valley. The going is relatively flat with the first few klms bitumen
which turns into well formed dirt. Up to the right are the hills
you have just traversed.
Small acreage farms and rainforest
Once again the riding is through small acreage farms and rainforest.
There are several bridged creek crossings and the odd undulating
hill.
The riding is most pleasant, with nice valley views before a last zig
zag hill up and over Urliup Road. At the top, the dirt once again
turns into bitumen with a lovely down hill run to Dulgiugan Road.
Turn right at the T intersection and immediately on your left is a nice
little rest spot, the "Pat Smith Reserve", a shaded area right
beside the Rouse River.
Tomewin Hill
Over the little bridge and you will find another T intersection, to the
left is Murwillumbah. If you started at the Tomewin Border gate
you must turn right, passing Dungay Public School and up Tomewin Hill,
all 5 klms of it, and in some cases quite steep, but bitumen all the way
from here!
Your reward for this hard riding is the spectacular views of the Tweed
Valley and Mt Warning from
various vantage points; in particular Gruners Lookout, which is an interesting
spot not too far from the top of the hill.
Finally the road levels out and you have about 2 klms to coast back to
the Border Gate. Well Done!
There are many variations to this ride, a look at a local road map will
present many options to you. ENJOY.
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