The Northern Rivers Rail Trail, Invercauld House and Contained in Nimbin have struck gold in the recent North Coast Tourism Awards.

The Northern Rivers Rail Trail won Gold in the Adventure Tourism category, as well as Silver in the Tourist Attraction category.

This year's win makes it back-to-back for the Rail Trail, as it won gold in 2024 in the Outstanding Tourism Start-up category.

Late 2024 saw the completion and opening of the Lismore to Casino stage of the eventual 132km trail between Murwillumbah and Casino.

There are two more sections to be built in the coming years (Lismore to Byron Bay and Crabbes Creek to Mullumbimby) before the final Mullumbimby to Byron Bay section completes the 132km rail trail.

Dean Cooper, Regional Lead for the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, said the award is a powerful acknowledgment of the team’s vision, collaboration and community impact.

“Winning Gold this year in the Adventure Tourism category is an incredible honour. It reflects not just a great visitor experience, but the combined efforts of multiple councils, community champions, trail operators and volunteers,” Dean said.

“This win represents the success of multiple open sections from Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek and from Casino to Lismore, all of which have rapidly established themselves as iconic drawcards for the region.

“We are grateful to Tweed Shire Council, Richmond Valley Council and Lismore City Council for their leadership in construction and ongoing operation. A huge thank you also to our trail users, local villages, supporters, and commercial operators. Without your energy and passion, this trail wouldn’t be what it is today,” he said

“To be recognised with a win again this year—and as Silver award winners in the Tourist Attraction category— is testament to the continued momentum of the Rail Trail and its powerful connection to nature, local culture and sustainable tourism,” Dean said.

Lismore was well represented at this year's awards in Byron Bay, with Invercauld House winning gold in the Business Event Venues category and Contained in Nimbin won gold in the Self-Contained Accommodation category.

(Eli Fuller with his Gold medal award in the Business Event Venue category. Photo: Invercauld House)

Karen Hirst from the Destination Lismore team said this year's gold winners will travel to Sydney for the NSW Australian Tourism Awards on October 14.

The hugely popular Lismore Lantern Parade won a Bronze medal in the Festivals and Events category to wrap up a fantastic night for Lismore at the award ceremony.

"Congratulations to all our winners," Karen said, "They all raise the profile of Lismore and generate publicity for the region."