Rail Trail Community Grants - 2026

Rail Trails Australia (RTA) is a volunteer-run not-for-profit organisation which works for the development and promotion of a rail trail network Australia-wide.

Our vision is for Australia’s disused rail corridors to be preserved for their heritage and natural values and enjoyed by the community and visitors, including for active recreation, such as walking, cycling and horse-riding.

Community organisations are critical to the establishment and success of many of Australia’s rail trails and undertake an enormous amount of work. RTA’s grants program supports community organisations to undertake activities which are aligned with RTA’s strategic plan.

The objectives of the Community Grants program are to:

• support and foster community involvement in the development and promotion of rail trails across Australia
• contribute to the physical improvement of rail trails, including improving access to rail trails by all members of the community
• increase the usage of rail trails
• enable the community to better understand and appreciate rail trails: the environmental, cultural and historical values of individual rail trails and their surroundings
• increase rail trails across Australia, particularly in underrepresented states.
   

Two levels of grants are available:

• Small grants up to $2000
  Projects or activities may be fully or partly funded by RTA.

• Large grants up to $10,000
  Large projects will be part-funded by RTA. To be eligible, the organisation must contribute significant funds. Contributions may be from multiple community organisations working together. 

The project or activities must achieve one or more of the following:

• Increase appreciation and understanding of the rail trail, its history and/or surroundings (e.g. artwork, interpretative signage, information – digital and/or print)
• Establish mechanisms to measure and report on rail trail usage (e.g. user counters)
• Improve accessibility for all people
• Engage new users, local or otherwise (e.g. special event)
• Improve maintenance that facilitates use (e.g. equipment)
• Improve the environment on a rail trail (e.g. revegetation, habitat improvement)
• Promote the rail trail or potential rail trail