Officially opened on the 3rd April 2020 the Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail is an absolute must-do when visiting the Snowy Valleys. A vibrant, revitalised trail for walking, cycling, pushing, strolling, peddling, rolling and relaxing.

With the Trailheads in Figures Street Tumbarumba and at McEachern Lane in Rosewood there is over 21kms of sealed trail with gentle gradients and sweeping curves. Relax and enjoy beautiful scenic countryside and spectacular mountainsides with safe trails for the whole family to enjoy. For the more serious rider, challenge yourself to complete the whole distance and try some of the other cycling opportunities in the Snowy Valleys.

Make sure you include a visit to Wolter Cottages, the beginning of the Rail Line, with two heritage listed buildings from the 1870’s including a historical display. The Rail Trail itself has many historical displays and features four restored bridges from the original Rail line which are of significant historical importance, being of timber trestle construction. These have been preserved in the reconstruction and refurbishment process. Mannus Creek Bridge is a seven span tall bridge which also features an inbuilt curve, a master piece of bridge building.

Work began on the Wagga Wagga to Tumbarumba railway line in 1912 and was completed in 1921. Over the next 54 years, the use of the line was vital to the development of the area – with many ‘unofficial’ stops allowing access to many users. The station heads were based from existing small communities with shops, schools and post offices. Wolseley Park Station was an employment hub with a major dairy factory, mechanics institute and store. Tumbarumba Station provided transport necessary for timber, agriculture products and stock moving to High Country Grazing. The rail line allowed passengers to travel to Wagga Wagga and back in a single day right up until 1974 when it ceased operations.

In 2003 the concept of creating a rail trail from the unused line was formed, and in 2015 NSW Government funding was received after years of hard work largely by volunteers. In 2017 the rail line corridor was officially closed and in 2018 the corridor was transferred to crown lands and Snowy Valleys Council was entrusted with its management. In 2019 construction began and in 2020 it was completed to become the first Rail Trail NSW, on government owned land.

For more information on the Rail line get a copy of Recycling Rail – Tumbarumba Rosewood Rail & Cycle History, by Ron Frew for the Tumbarumba Historical Society, available from the Tumbarumba Information Centre or other Tumbarumba outlets

It’s taken over 18 years for the Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail to become a reality, thanks to the passion and perseverance of people like Owen and Cathy Fitzgerald, Grant and Debbie Harris, Bob and Ros Gay, Ron and Cath Frew, Malcolm and MaryAnn Marshall, Peter Marshall and Ria Johansen, Tony and Susie a’Beckett and a variety of SVC staff and councillors over the years.

Our virtual opening video – a first of its kind due to COVID-19!

What never wavered was the support of the local community and businesses who could see the many benefits to health, the economy and tourism advantages of having the first NSW rail trail on government owned land, in our very own neighbourhood.

It’s been a huge effort to get through the red tape of bureaucracy, local government changes and funding requirements.

The volunteer committee have worked tirelessly to get the rail trail up and running and continue to work with SVC staff to ensure it is the best they can make it.

Local organisations such as the Tumbarumba Historical Society and the Men’s Shed have been instrumental in making dreams into reality.

Some of the story can be found in this video presentation which was made for the official opening which had to be a virtual presentation due to Covid-19.