Can’t decide whether to head to the beach, relax on a river or explore lush valleys on your next holiday? Head to the Tweed for all three. Stretching from the coast into the hinterland along the Tweed River, the region offers beach feels, country charm, rainforest magic, cycle trails, river explorations and a buzzing food scene.
Life slows down a little at Potager, a delightful restaurant set on a small farm in Carool countryside. Generous, elegant dishes draw from the prolific kitchen garden beds out front as well as a community of local sustainable producers. Dine on the sunny veranda or soak up the charms of the renovated cottage inside, and find out why the Peruvian fish stew never leaves the menu.
Family-owned Farm & Co at Cudgen has been growing and sharing organic fruit and veg for nearly 20 years. Stock up on produce, grab a coffee, tour the farm, wander a maze or take home a sunflower stem or three. A more recent addition is the paddock-to-plate restaurant in the hands of a crack team of local culinary legends, dishing up delicious meals from produce grown just metres away or sourced from local producers. They do weddings, too.
What’s better than a cruisy cycle along the 24km Northern Rivers Rail Trail through green fields and cute country villages to get some fresh air and exercise? Doing it by e-bike from Better by Bike for a little extra oomph. Stop for gelato or fresh cheese from Tweed Valley Whey Farmhouse Cheeses, explore Heath’s Old Wares emporium or sip coffee and pat animals at Hosanna Farmstay along the way.
However long you stay at Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat, it won’t feel like enough. With only 13 luxury villas and lodges spread among its 100ha of subtropical rainforest, it’s a perfectly private paradise with mountain views, walking trails and meal hampers. On the back of a major refresh, a cosy wine bar and a creek-side pavilion have been added to up the ante. No kids allowed – this place is set up for romance.
With The Tweed taking in 37km of glorious coastline, there's a wealth of beaches and laid-back seaside towns to explore. Hastings Point Lookout and Point Danger offer excellent vantages to spot passing humpback whales on their annual treks or book a boat tour for a closer view.
In coastal Pottsville, Pipit is redefining sustainable eating and collecting fans and awards along the way. With taste always at the fore, this restaurant pushes boundaries, minimising waste and transforming Tweed produce into picture-perfect, innovative offerings. The fermented dip made from vegetable offcuts is a revelation. Sitting at the bar allows an intimate view of the open kitchen’s wood-fire grills and you can chat to the chefs.
Settle in for afternoon drinks at the Lawn Bar at Murwillumbah’s Tweed River House, with panoramic views across the Tweed River to Wollumbin (Mount Warning) and the hinterland ranges beyond. Sip on beers or ciders with a nod to local makers, urbane cocktails or wines with tapas on the side. Pop upstairs to the stunningly renovated 1907 Queenslander – now giving off refined Raffles Hotel vibes – where the fine dining lives.
Get your culture dose at the Tweed Regional Gallery at Murwillumbah, a modern art gallery punching above its weight, with quality changing exhibitions, currently including a travelling Monet. The Margaret Olley Art Centre within, featuring an intricate recreation of the painter’s home studio, offers a fascinating glimpse into her world of still lifes and interiors, as does the surrounding art. Both the gallery and wonderful views outside are free.
Foodies will delight in the region's upcoming inaugural food festival, Savour the Tweed, a celebration of culinary gems, bountiful farms and passionate artisan producers. With local and visiting chefs and over 20 events, it runs from October 30 to November 3.
The writer was a guest of The Tweed Tourism Company.
Border town Tweed Heads, the regional hub, is a few minutes from Gold Coast Airport, Coolangatta, with domestic and international connections. By road, it's a short detour off the Pacific Motorway between Byron Bay and the Queensland border.
The Tweed Region covers a lot of ground so consider if you'll be based in one location or otherwise how you'll get around. Public transport is available or you can hire bikes, but to see the hinterland a car is handy (car hire is available at the airport or major towns). Or take a guided tour.
See also:
10 reasons the Tweed is NSW’s best secret destination
Best places to eat and drink on the Tweed Coast
The Tweed is the beach destination that can no longer be ignored
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