Friends of New England Rail Trail Inc.

29/05/2026

Armidale has taken out a top tourist gong, being named as one of the best towns to visit in Australia.
The announcement comes as no surprise to locals and visitors - who love the town's beautiful country charm.

28/05/2026

When we hear so many comments from a few Guyra residents who don’t understand what the rail trail is about you begin to wonder if you might have it all wrong,but to see such a well informed response like this one restores the faith in our mission.
The Guyra Progress Association is made up of active vibrant community minded people who genuinely believe in their community.
We appreciate this statement of support and look forward to the day we can all share this important facility.

Thankyou Guyra Progress Association.

🚲 SUPPORT FOR THE NEW ENGLAND RAIL TRAIL 🚲

Given the current discussion surrounding the proposed New England Rail Trail, the Guyra and Community Progress Association unanimously voted at our recent meeting to express our extremely strong support for what we firmly believe is a positive step forward for our region.

Our support comes from a shared belief in the future of Guyra and the wider New England community — a future built on opportunity, connection, tourism, healthy lifestyles, economic growth, and preserving the unique character of the place we proudly call home.

After reading this lengthy post, grab a cuppa ☕ and take a moment to reflect on “why we live where we live!” - as 'Macca" would say!

We are incredibly fortunate to live in a resilient and welcoming high-country community with breathtaking landscapes, four distinct seasons, vibrant local events, hardworking local businesses, and a strong sense of belonging.

The proposed rail trail represents an opportunity to build on these strengths and showcase everything that makes our region so special.

🌿 Guyra is uniquely positioned as one of the highest towns in Australia, offering cool summers, beautiful autumn colours, crisp winters, colourful spring gardens and winter snowfall.

🌿 The rail trail would encourage visitors to stay longer, explore our villages, support local cafés, quaint Airbnb's, accommodation, shops, and events, and experience the natural beauty of our region.

🌿 It would also create opportunities for tourism growth, economic development, active recreation, improved health and wellbeing, and stronger connections between regional communities.

From TroutFest and the Lamb & Potato Festival to Christmas Markets, New Years Eve Celebrations, the Agricultural Show, sporting events and other countless community events — our town thrives because of the incredible people who work tirelessly to make Guyra a wonderful place to live and visit.

The Guyra and Community Progress Association strongly believes the New England Rail Trail is an investment in the future of our region and future generations to come.

We respectfully encourage those who may feel sceptical to also consider the substantial long-term benefits this project could deliver — not only for Guyra, but for surrounding communities and the broader New England region.

📢 COMMUNITY FEEDBACK IS NOW OPEN

Please take a few moments to visit the Armidale Regional Council "Your Say” page and lodge your submission in support of the proposed New England Rail Trail.

🗓 Submissions close Monday 1 June 2026.

Every submission matters. Please help us progress our region. ❤️

27/05/2026

Proof that good coffee, real autumns, tree lined streets and fat livestock still matter, Armidale has officially been named one of Australian Traveller’s top 100 Best Aussie Towns for 2026!

I was pleased to catch up today in NSW Parliament with the Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson MP who has taken the news remarkably well considering Tamworth didn’t quite make the list this year.

But in the spirit of regional cooperation, we don’t want to disparage Tamworth, after all, the Big Golden Guitar is still Australia’s largest reminder that you’ve nearly made it to Armidale!

Armidale Regional Council

26/05/2026

Anyone who has been on or has seen a Rail Trail understands just what a fantastic space they create.
The boost to local communities is evident in all areas that enjoy them.
The results are duplicated time and time again in all areas of Australia, studies and research have been completed which shows the huge economic benefits Rail Trails bring to especially smaller communities and ours will be no different.
Don't listen to those who don't even know what a rail trail is, get out and get amongst those who see the success and share the many benefits they bring.
Lets hope we see you all on the New England Rail Trail some day soon !!

24/05/2026

Rail Services are expensive to run.

Grahame McClenaghan spoke to us about the costs of running a rail service, his insights into electric trains and how that might look on existing infrastructure was very interesting.

23/05/2026

Support is pouring in, thank you to all the amazing people in the community who are rallying around our projects. Together we can create something really special.

22/05/2026

Always keen to speak with active members of the community.

We will be at the Armidale Park Run in the morning, drop in and have a chat, the NERT will provide a great place for all the runners in the area to enjoy, can't wait to see this space active.

21/05/2026

Can the Rail Trail be built on the side of the Rail line ?

We asked Grahame McClenaghan about the idea of leaving the rails in place and develop a dual use track. He said that there were many cuttings, under road bridges and raised areas that are just not wide enough to fit both in.
In fact if a rail trail were to be built alongside or "off formation" the risk to permanent damage to the formation was inevitable. Not only that, but to build the rail trail around the sides of cuttings and under road bridges would need land acquisitions and new structures built which would increase the cost of the rail trail significantly.
The running gauge under some of these bridges doesn't even allow for modern trains to pass through, so there is no space for both a rail trail and train track.

20/05/2026

The third and final installment of the NZ adventure, imagine when this is us !

20/05/2026

We are all in this together

Have you added your name yet? 🚲💚 https://au.openforms.com/Form/5ec0808b-7680-43a5-89d5-6a071409c5e3

We need as many names as possible to help show support for finishing the Northern Rivers Rail Trail and connecting the missing link.

Add your name today, then share this post with your friends, family and community to help spread the word.

Let’s link the places we love and get this finished.