Self Guided E Bike Tour – Unicorn Falls, Rainforest & Rail Trail

The best part of this ride is the change of scene. You start beside the road at Mooball, roll through old railway country, pass under a 524-metre tunnel, then leave the trail for quiet hinterland roads and a rainforest waterfall. By the end, you are sitting at the historic Billinudgel Hotel waiting for a lift back.

I like the freedom of a self-guided route. You stop for coffee, a swim, a pie or a photo when you choose. I also like the mix of riding: rail trail, bridges, country lanes, a national park climb and a downhill run. The catch is that this is not a casual pedal. Gravel roads and the climb toward Unicorn Falls require good cycling skills and moderate fitness.

Key points at a glance

• A real point-to-point ride: Start in Mooball and finish at Billinudgel, with pickup back to the start.
• The 524-metre Burringbar Range Tunnel: One of the most memorable sections of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.
• Unicorn Falls in Mount Jerusalem National Park: The tour’s main reward, reached after a climb through the hinterland.
• About three hours of actual cycling: The full outing lasts five to six hours, with breaks for food, swimming and exploring.
• Self-guided and small-scale: Ride with your own group at your own speed, using the Ridewithgps app for navigation.
• Good preparation matters: Bring water, a charged smartphone and suitable cycling clothes. Riders must be at least 14, over 150 centimetres tall and under 120 kilograms.

A ride that links rail history with rainforest

Beyond Byron E Bikes gives you a different way to see northern New South Wales. This is not a short loop around one town. It is a one-way journey through several kinds of countryside, with a vehicle transfer at the end.

You begin at 5889 Tweed Valley Way in Mooball at 9:30am. The Moo Moo Roadhouse is next door, so you can have coffee or breakfast before setting off. Onsite parking makes the start simple if you are driving.

The route first follows the southern end of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail. Later, it leaves the former railway corridor at Stokers Siding and heads through Uki, Rowlands Creek and Mount Jerusalem National Park. You then descend toward Main Arm, cross the countryside around The Pocket and finish in Billinudgel.

That variety gives the day its character. You are not spending six hours repeating the same type of road. The ride moves from old rail infrastructure to small-town stops, forest roads, open farmland and a waterfall.

The electric bike helps with the hills, but it does not remove the need to steer, brake and manage uneven surfaces. You should be comfortable on a bicycle before booking. The route includes gravel and one downhill section, so this suits someone who wants an active day rather than a motor-assisted sightseeing trip.

Starting in Mooball with coffee nearby

The start at Mooball is practical rather than grand. You collect the bike next to the Moo Moo Roadhouse, where you can get breakfast or coffee before riding.

You receive a premium e-bike, helmet, lights, lock and either a pannier or backpack. The equipment also includes a phone power bank, multitool, basic first aid kit and pump. Those extras matter on a self-guided route because you are not following a support vehicle or guide every minute.

Bring your own water bottle. Water is not included, and the day can stretch to six hours once you add food stops and time at the waterfall. You also need your own fully charged smartphone with the Ridewithgps app installed. The app is your route guide, so do not treat your phone as an optional extra.

Before leaving, take a moment to understand the bike’s controls and check that your phone is mounted or easy to access. Since you are riding independently, a little care at the start will make the rest of the day easier.

The Northern Rivers Rail Trail and Burringbar Tunnel

The early riding covers some of the best-known features of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail. You pass through or near Burringbar and Stokers Siding, with the old rail corridor providing a clear sense of how the region once connected by train.

The 524-metre Burringbar Range Tunnel is the standout section. Riding through a long railway tunnel feels very different from pedaling along an ordinary road. Your included lights are useful here, and you should keep them ready rather than packed away.

The historic Mills Creek bridge adds another change of rhythm. Rail bridges and tunnels give this part of the ride a strong sense of place without requiring a museum visit or formal tour. You experience the former railway route by moving through it under your own power.

The rail trail section is also a good warm-up for the rest of the day. It helps you settle into the bike before the route turns toward more open roads and the climb to Unicorn Falls.

The stop descriptions allow about 50 minutes for this part, but the actual timing will depend on your pace and how often you stop. Since the tour is self-guided, you control that balance. Keep an eye on the clock, though. You need to reach Billinudgel by 4pm for pickup.

Uki offers a useful food break

At Stokers Siding, you leave the rail trail and head through the hinterland toward Uki. This is where the ride begins to feel less like a dedicated cycle path and more like a country journey.

Uki is a natural pause point. Recommended places include Village & Co Cafe, Bastion Coffee and Uki Pies. The planned stop is around 30 minutes, enough for a snack and a short break before the national park section.

I like this stop because it divides the day into manageable parts. You can check your water, recharge your phone if needed and make sure you still have enough time for the waterfall and final stretch.

Do not linger too long if you are riding slowly. The route has more work ahead, and the e-bike’s assistance is most useful on the climb beyond Uki. The freedom to choose your own stop is excellent, but it also means you must manage your own schedule.

Climbing toward Unicorn Falls

After Uki, the route passes through Rowlands Creek before turning upward into Mount Jerusalem National Park. This is the most demanding part of the ride.

The electric motor takes pressure off the climb, but you still need to pedal and handle the bike. Select the appropriate assistance level, ride at a steady pace and expect this section to take effort. Moderate fitness is the right description. You do not need to be an endurance athlete, but you should have good general cycling experience.

The reward is Unicorn Falls, described as a secluded waterfall in the national park. The stop is planned for about 30 minutes. That gives you time to explore and swim, so bring swimwear if you want to use the water.

The waterfall is the emotional high point of the day because reaching it requires work. You are not simply being driven to a viewpoint, taking a picture and leaving. The climb and the quiet roads make the stop feel earned.

Conditions may affect the experience. This tour requires good weather, and the provider may cancel or change the date if conditions are poor. That is sensible for a route involving gravel, hills, a waterfall and a national park.

Downhill to Main Arm

After Unicorn Falls, you descend toward Main Arm. The downhill section is one of the route’s stated challenges, so take it seriously. An e-bike can feel heavier and faster than a standard bicycle, especially on a descent.

Use the brakes smoothly and leave yourself room to respond to gravel or uneven surfaces. If you are not confident riding downhill, this is a point to consider before booking. The route is designed for people with good general cycling experience, not complete beginners.

Main Arm gives you a welcome change of pace. The local store is the village hub, and you can stop for an ice cream or snack. The planned break is about 20 minutes.

This stop is less about sightseeing and more about recovery. After the climb and descent, a cold drink or quick bite can make the final miles much more comfortable. It also adds a local, everyday feel to the route. You are stopping at a small community store, not a large visitor facility.

The Pocket and the final run to Billinudgel

From Main Arm, the route enters The Pocket. This is the quieter home stretch, with country roads, open views and grazing land. You may see cows and, if you are lucky, alpacas.

The planned riding time here is about 20 minutes, though your total speed and stops will affect the clock. After the national park, this section lets you ease off and enjoy the surroundings without another major attraction demanding your attention.

You finish at the Billinudgel Hotel, a historic pub at 1/1 Wilfred Street. This is a practical ending. You can order a well-earned drink, sit near the car park and wait for the operator to collect the bikes and return you to Mooball.

The transfer is included in the design of the trip, so you do not need to ride back along the same route. If you arrived by taxi or rideshare, you can leave from Billinudgel after the bikes have been collected.

What the $114.04 price covers

At $114.04 per person, the value depends on how much use you make of the equipment and how appealing independent travel is to you.

The price includes the e-bike, helmet, lights, lock, pannier or backpack, power bank, multitool, simple first aid supplies and pump. It also covers the pickup from Billinudgel back to Mooball. You are paying for access to a long, carefully linked route without needing to organize separate bike hire, navigation equipment and return transport.

Food and drinks are extra. So is anything you buy at the Moo Moo Roadhouse, Uki, Main Arm or Billinudgel Hotel. You also need to supply your water bottle and smartphone.

For me, the strongest value is the range packed into one day. You get a rail trail, railway tunnel, bridge, country towns, a national park, a waterfall and a pub finish. If you only want a gentle hour-long e-bike outing, this will feel like too much. If you want a full day outdoors without arranging every piece yourself, the price is reasonable.

Who should book this ride

This tour suits you if you:

• Enjoy choosing your own pace instead of staying behind a guide
• Have good general cycling experience
• Can manage gravel roads and a downhill section
• Want a mix of nature, local towns and old railway infrastructure
• Like active days with time for swimming and food stops
• Are at least 14 years old, over 150 centimetres tall and under 120 kilograms

It is less suitable if you are new to cycling, uncomfortable using a navigation app or looking for a fully guided, no-effort outing. The e-bike helps with hills, but it does not replace bike handling skills.

A group size of up to 10 keeps the outing relatively small. Since each group rides at its own pace, you should still be happy making decisions without a guide leading every turn.

Small details that make the day easier

Start with a charged phone and keep the power bank accessible. You will rely on the Ridewithgps app, and the route includes several different road types.

Wear clothing suitable for cycling and bring what you need for swimming. The supplied pannier or backpack gives you space for personal items, but avoid carrying more than necessary.

Plan your food stops before the start. Coffee at Mooball, a snack in Uki, an ice cream at Main Arm and a drink at Billinudgel can easily fill the day, but they also take time. The finish target is 4pm, so enjoy the stops without losing track of the route.

The cancellation policy is generous if your plans change: you can receive a full refund by canceling at least 24 hours before the start. Changes made inside that period are not accepted. Since weather matters, check the operator’s plans before setting out.

Should you book the Unicorn Falls e-bike tour?

Book it if you want an active, varied day away from the coast and like the idea of managing your own adventure. The combination of Burringbar Tunnel, the rail trail, Uki, Unicorn Falls and the Billinudgel pub finish gives the route a clear story from start to finish.

Think twice if you want a short, flat ride or prefer a guide beside you at every turn. This is a self-guided trip with real cycling demands. For the right rider, that independence is the point: you get the support of a good e-bike and useful equipment, but you choose when to stop, eat, swim and take in the Northern Rivers at your own pace.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at 5889 Tweed Valley Way, Mooball, New South Wales 2483, next to the Moo Moo Roadhouse. The start time is 9:30am, and onsite parking is available.

Where does the tour finish?

The ride finishes at the Billinudgel Hotel at 1/1 Wilfred Street, Billinudgel. The operator collects the bikes there and returns you to Mooball.

How long is the tour?

The full outing takes about five to six hours. Actual cycling time is around three to three and a half hours, with the remaining time used for eating, swimming and exploring.

Do I need to bring water?

Yes. A water bottle is not included, so bring your own.

What phone and navigation equipment do I need?

You need your own fully charged smartphone with the Ridewithgps app installed. A phone power bank is included with the bike equipment.

What age, height and weight limits apply?

Participants must be at least 14 years old, over 150 centimetres tall and under 120 kilograms. Good general cycling experience and moderate physical fitness are also required.