10 Reasons the Tweed is NSW’s Best Secret Destination

We love searching for (and finding!) great articles on everything Tweed Coast and this recent one from Craig Tansley is a cracker!  Included in the Lifestyle Section of the Daily Telegraph, it is well worth the 2 minute read.  So, please read on (our comments are in Italics)!

Wedged between two tourism hot spots – the Gold Coast and Byron Bay – the Tweed flies right under our collective radars. Here’s 10 reasons why it’s our best secret destination.

There’s many flights landing daily at Gold Coast Airport. Then rent a car (every major car hire company can be found here) and there’s no Gold Coast traffic in your way at all. Head south down the M1 and take the turn to Murwillumbah. The Tweed actually starts five minutes’ drive from the airport – but Murwillumbah is 25 minutes away.

La Petit Unite is a great base for your romantic getaway – nestled within the Santai Resort at Casuarina.

2. It has Australia’s best new rail trail

Eventually this will extend for 132 kilometres from Murwillumbah to Casino, via Byron Bay. But the 24-kilometre Tweed portion is stunning enough. It takes you through secret towns of the region like Burringbar and Stokers Siding, amongst rainforest and across 16 railway bridges and two tunnels (including one over 500 metres long where you’ll travel in darkness).

This is such a great thing to do – but don’t forget your flashlights or bike lights for the tunnel – it is REALLY dark!

3. It has Australia’s best new mountain bike trail

It took 13 years of planning and building, but now there’s eight of Australia’s best new mountain bike trails all set in a natural green amphitheatre with Mt Warning (Wollumbin) as the backdrop. Just outside the alternative community of Uki (pictured above) there’s over six kilometres of trails suiting everyone from beginners to pros.

Haven’t tried this one yet – but it is on my list of things to do!

4. You’ll find the most extensive tract of subtropical rainforest left on Earth

There’s hikes and experiences to be had in five World Heritage-listed rainforests across the Tweed: there’s no other place on Earth that’s home to as many plants and animals which remain almost exactly the same as they were millions of years. There’s everything from half hour walks to multiple day hikes through the Nightcap and Border Ranges national parks.

There are many hikes to do – so drop into one of the Kingscliff Visitor Centre and chose a hike that suits you.

5. It has three restaurants with a hat from the Australian Good Food Guide

The Tweed Valley is full of gourmet restaurants that punch well above their weight – but without the price tag, or availability issues, of their city counterparts. Bistro Livi is a chic Manhattan-style wine bar in Murwillumbah whose chef came from Melbourne icon, Movida, Tweed River House is built in a century-old river house with a heck of a view of Mt Warning, while Potager (pictured above) has won a chef’s hat four years running and has views back down over the Gold Coast.

We can fully recommend Tweed River House for a lunch – and their Sunday afternoon live music sessions are a great way to finish a weekend.  Can’t wait to try Bistro Livi and Potager.

6. It has world-class bush retreats

… like Selah Valley Estate (pictured above), a new retreat built across 175 hectares where you’ll have your own cascades in creeks to bathe in, rainforest to get lost in and farm animals like chickens and Scottish Galloway cows. And there’s views across the entire valley from your cabin. Or head to Uki to stay in century-old heritage house, Chesson Lodge.

Also worth a visit is Hosanna Farm Stay – a stop on the Northern Rivers Rail Trail – make sure you book for lunch!

7. It has some of Australia’s oldest, quirkiest country pubs

Take a tour of some of the country’s best community pubs. Like Tumbulgum Tavern, built in 1887 out of timber and corrugated iron right beside the Tweed River where locals gather on the deck at sunset, or Mt Warning Hotel in Uki with its stunning vistas over the highest mountain on the far north coast, or Tylagum Hotel built in 1926.

You also can’t beat the local surf clubs for a great, wholesome feed with a view of the ocean to match!

8. There’s no traffic anywhere!

That’s the crazy part – just north, the cars are grid-locked on the M1 from the Gold Coast to Brisbane, and Byron traffic is infamous come holiday time, but the biggest traffic hazard you’ll have in the Tweed is farmers on tractors, or one of their cows out on the road. Even by the Tweed Coast traffic jams are virtually non-existent.

This is so true!  But beware of the country roads in the wet…  It can be a little slippery.

9. It’s an art lover’s Mecca

The area is a beacon for artists. Visit the M-Art Precinct in an historic warehouse in the heart of Murwillumbah to see artists in their studios and catch exhibitions, art workshops or drinks in the pop-up bar, or visit artists in their homes during the Murwillumbah Arts Trail every second year in May, and visit one of NSW’s best regional art galleries, Tweed Regional Gallery, then have lunch at Apex Dining, the best gallery restaurant in Australia with views over the national parks.

Our favourite is the Tweed Regional Gallery – the regular exhibitions keep me coming back – but I also LOVE the Margaret Olley installation.  I see something new each time I visit.

10. Discover towns no-one knew existed

Even locals don’t know some of these places. Take a drive through cane fields and forests to towns like Chillingham and stop for a beer with locals at the general store, or for Australia’s best finger limes with barefoot farmer Buck who supplies Australia’s best restaurants. Or check out mountain town, Tylagum, then stop for coffees at the old post office in hippie magnet, Uki.

Tyalgum also has the wonderful Flutterbies Cottage Cafe.  Their high tea is a real treat and Friday night pizza night with live music is a mecca for all the locals.

Thanks Craig – we love your article and are delighted that you are as passionate about the Tweed as we are!

and… if you are looking for a resort-style luxury apartment for your romantic getaway contact us  for availability and a quote….   Don’t forget – book direct with Daniel and there are no booking fees!