The stunning Tweed region, a coast and hinterland area located on the far NSW north coast, has a lot of draw cards for visitors, from uncrowded beaches to pristine rainforest. And of late, it’s also developing a reputation as a delicious destination for foodies, as well as offering a lineup of leisure activities to choose from, whether you enjoy walking, biking or watersports. So what should be on your hit list when visiting?
Stay Somewhere Fabulous
The Tweed hinterland is as stunning as it is captivating, and ideals for couples seeking a romantic, short break away from it all. And there’s a wonderful place in which to stay, either to get away from it all or to use as base to explore the area - Mistere at Urliup. Conveniently located in rainforest between the Gold Coast and Byron Bay, while also being close to Murwillumbah and the coast, the retreat is part of Regal Retreats with three large, luxurious villas on site. Staying here is the ultimate in Australian romance, escapism and ecotourism, the contemporary villas integrated into their natural surroundings, along with indulgence and pampering on tap.
Read our full review of Mistere At Urliup here.
Take In The Tweed Valley Sights
Australia’s Green Cauldron, which is the ancient remnants of the largest shield volcano in the southern hemisphere and a famous National Landscape in Australia, is home to the Tweed Valley. This stunning region sits in the middle of a giant caldera, with the towering peak of Mt Warning as its major landmark, and lush tropical forests sweeping up the mountains dotted by farms, homesteads and small towns including Murwillumbah. It’s here on 55 acres of red dirt farmland that the UK version of I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here is filmed each year. Also in this area is one of Australia’s most unusual tourist attractions, Crystal Creek Miniatures, which is home to a collection of more than 100 miniature animals including mini horses, cows, donkeys and other animals. And if you love art, put a visit to the Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre on your list, along with a coffee stop at the lovely onsite cafe onsite featuring an outdoor balcony and great pastries.
Kick Back In Kingscliff
Kingscliff is a chilled seaside town just 50 minutes north of Byron Bay in the Tweed region, and a popular hangout for sun-lovers, walkers, surfers, and anyone who enjoys fishing. Its unspoiled beach stretches from the town south to Cudgen Headland in the south, and north to Dreamtime Beach at Fingal Head, providing world-class beach breaks for board riders, as well as kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and snorkelling. Put lunch, or at least a coffee stop, on your list of things to do here, as there are many great places to choose from dotted along Marine Parade in the heart of town. A couple to put on your list include Choux Box, Mockingbird, and Red Monkey.
Go Walking
One of the best walks in the area, especially if you time it before sunset, is from Salt Beach to Kingscliff. It takes about 40 minutes and can be done in one of two ways; either on the sand, or on the path running parallel to the beach. The boardwalk around Cudgen creek is a top spot for spectacular views and romantic sunset photos with Mt Warning as a backdrop. Another great local walk if you’re short on time is the path up to Fingal Lighthouse. Park up at the end of Lighthouse Road, and enjoy an easy walk along the sand tracks up to the lighthouse, and from there you can view unique basalt rock formations as well as the Giants Causeway, where waves are trapped by the basalt formations sending seawater exploding into the air.
Hit The Local Markets
If you’re into a shopping experience with a difference, there are a number of great local and organic markets operating on different weekend days during the month. Top of our list are Brunswick Heads on the first Saturday of the month, the Murwillumbah Cottage Market on the first Sunday of the month, the Banora Point Farmers Market on the second second Saturday of the month, and Kingscliff Markets near the Bowls Club on the second Sunday of the month. At weekly Farmers Markets organic markets, visitors can talk to the farmer directly about the produce and farming methods as well as purchase fresh produce. Many of the markets are now "plastic bag free", so don’t forget to bring your own bags, or you can take home a nice souvenir by buying a reusable carry bag on the day. While exploring the Tweed by car you’ll also see roadside stalls, where fresh fruit and veggies are sold direct to the public at farm gates.
Eat At Mavis’ Kitchen
Located just outside of Murwillumbah, this is one of those venues which has helped boost the region for foodies. The restaurant is set in a classic old Queenslander on 25 acres of farmland, with Mt Warning as a backdrop, and its reputation has been earned thanks to its use of its seasonal local and organic produce, much of it from the property’s biodynamic and organic garden. The restaurant has a constantly changing menu reflecting what is seasonally available, and it serves simple and unpretentious food which has been described as “high end family cooking”. The restaurant building also has an interesting history, having been moved from Labrador in the Gold Coast to the Tweed Valley.
Go Star Spotting In Byron
Just 15 minutes to the south of Brunswick Heads, Byron By is a totally different world, with the bustling beach town continuing to grab headlines around the world as a happening place to take a break. The beaches here are no better than any other part of the Tweed, but the formerly sleepy beach town boasts world class surf breaks and some stunning landscapes. One to check off your list is Cape Byron, which is topped by the iconic Byron Lighthouse, marking the most easterly point in Australia. Tens of thousands of international tourists pour into Byron Bay especially in the summer, hoping to catch a glimpse of resident celebrities including superstar local Chris Hemsworth. As a result this is the place to be if you’re looking for stars and nightlife, and worth a look if only for a quick stop.
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- By:
- Joanna Hall
Reviews
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News To Me
Didn't know I'm a Celeb is filmed here! I thought it was in Africa somewhere????
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Tweed Rocks!
Got great beaches and some great on the water places to eat, especially the surf clubs!
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Love The Tweed
We live in Brissie and visit the Tweed at least a couple of times a year. Forget Byron Kingscliff is as busy as you want to get and the hinteland towns are charming.