The Byron Bay solar train: useful or novelty? A short verdict

It runs 3 km between Elements resort and the town centre. We tested it.

By Byron Bay Backpackers editorial team

The Byron Bay Train (byronbaytrain.com.au) operates a 3 km segment of the old Casino-Murwillumbah line, where train services ended in 2004. The current service runs solar-powered, mostly tourists, $7 one-way, between North Beach Station near Elements Byron resort at the north end and Byron Beach Station at the Shirley Street level crossing in town.

Verdict: novelty more than transport. If you're staying at Elements, it's useful — saves you the 35-minute walk or a $15 Uber to town. If you're staying anywhere else, you'll never use it. Times are on their website.

The historical detail: this is the only operational segment of the original Casino-Murwillumbah line. Train services on the rest of the line also ended in 2004. Parts of it are now the Northern Rivers Rail Trail (24 km between Murwillumbah and Crabbes Creek, plus a Casino-Lismore section), but the Byron Shire section has not been built.

For arriving travellers: don't plan around the solar train. Take the Byron Easy Bus from Ballina or the Greyhound from Brisbane/Sydney. See our airport + transport guide for the actual options.