Sunrise, Fingal HeadCREDIT: David Kirkland
Scenic coastal views from Fingal Head at sunrise.
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Get away from it all in the beautiful Tweed region on the New South Wales far North Coast, an area known for its uncrowded beaches, relaxed villages, excellent regional gallery and paddock-to-plate providores. Here are five great ways to enjoy the region.
Eat well
Stretching south from Tweed Heads towards Byron Bay, the Tweed is home to one of regional NSW’s most exciting culinary scenes, with newer openings including contemporary Australian restaurant Pipit in Pottsville and the vibrant Lolita’s Mexican Cantina in Casuarina. Other memorable restaurants include Mavis’s Kitchen, a dairy-turned country restaurant at the base of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wollumbin (Mount Warning) which grows much of its produce onsite, and sophisticated seaside restaurant Paper Daisy in Cabarita’s Halcyon House boutique hotel, which is good for seafood.
Swim with turtles
Less than 1km off Fingal Headland, just south of Tweed Heads, the volcanic outcrop known as Cook Island is a major sea turtle hangout; get up close to them on a snorkelling tour with a local operator such as Watersports Guru. Cook Island is also a magnet for scuba divers, who also come to spot marine critters such as nudibranchs (colourful sea slugs), manta rays, leopard sharks in summer and grey nurse sharks in winter; Tweed Sea Sports runs regular dive trips.
Take in the arts
Take a break from the coast with a trip to the Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre in Murwillumbah, 35 minutes (30km) south of Tweed Heads. Overlooking Wollumbin (Mount Warning), the gallery hosts a range of permanent and touring exhibitions showcasing national and regional artists. In the Margaret Olley Art Centre, learn about the life and legacy of its namesake, Australia’s most celebrated painter of still life and interiors. Key to this exhibition is the recreation of areas of Olley’s home studio.
Halcyon House, Cabarita Beach CREDIT: Destination NSW
Paper Daisy restaurant located within boutique hotel Halcyon House, Cabarita Beach.
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Halcyon House, Cabarita Beach CREDIT: Destination NSW
Paper Daisy restaurant located within boutique hotel Halcyon House, Cabarita Beach.
Tweed Regional Gallery, Murwillumbah South CREDIT: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a visit to the Tweed Regional Gallery.
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Tweed Regional Gallery, Murwillumbah South CREDIT: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a visit to the Tweed Regional Gallery.
Drink up
The Tweed is increasingly becoming known for its brewing and distilling scene. In 2019, Husk Distillers opened an atmospheric cellar door in Tumbulgum (between Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah), where you can sample the only Agricole rum made in Australia (using local sugar cane instead of molasses) as well as Ink Gin, a floral-infused gin that changes colour from indigo to pink when tonic water is added. Beer fan? Check out the Pickled Pig Brewery in Tweed Heads and Red Earth Brewing, five minutes’ drive west of Kingscliff.
Cruise the Tweed River
Flowing past cute country towns, sugar cane farms and wildlife habitats on its way to the Pacific Ocean at Tweed Heads, the Tweed River is one of the state’s most scenic waterways. One of the best ways to experience the river is on a tour with Tweed Eco Cruises, a family-run business committed to minimising its environmental impact. A range of options are available, including an Aboriginal-led cruise to the river’s ‘mudcrab headquarters’ where you can try to catch your lunch.
Husk Distillers, North Tumbulgum CREDIT: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a visit to Husk Distillers, North Tumbulgum.
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Husk Distillers, North Tumbulgum CREDIT: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a visit to Husk Distillers, North Tumbulgum.
Tweed Eco Cruises, Tweed Heads CREDIT: Tweed Eco Cruises
Tweed Eco Cruises, Tweed Heads.
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Tweed Eco Cruises, Tweed Heads CREDIT: Tweed Eco Cruises
Tweed Eco Cruises, Tweed Heads.
MORE INSPIRATIONAL STORIES
Whale Watching, SydneyCREDIT: Destination NSW
Humpback whale spotted off Sydney Heads on its annual migration along the NSW coastline.
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Spot whales in Sydney from May to October, as they cruise past iconic beaches or surface beside ferries in the harbour.
You might hear them before you see them. That telltale ‘whoosh’ of air through the blowhole as they break through the surface of the water. Or maybe it’s the excited cheers of other passengers onboard your boat that alert you to their arrival. It’s a breathtaking sight; humpback whales weighing up to 40 tonnes leaping from the ocean with effortless grace, before crashing back down in a burst of spray.
A whopping 40,000 humpback and southern right whales make their way along the NSW coast each year between May and September, migrating along what is affectionately known as the Humpback Highway. Many of these incredible creatures make a special appearance closer to the shore and occasionally, a few will even drop in to Sydney Harbour, frolicking amongst the yachts and ferries. Later in the season, around October and November, revel in the splendour of watching mothers and their new calves making the return journey down south.
Bring your binoculars and a sense of wonder: here’s the pick of Sydney’s whale-watching spots, from north to south.
Barrenjoey Headland, Palm Beach
At the northern edge of Sydney, 45km from the city, Barrenjoey Headland at Palm Beach is where the whales wave farewell before continuing up the coast. Hike up to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse, just over 90 metres above sea level, for sweeping views along the coast — keep your eyes peeled for the tell-tale burst of spray.
North Head, Manly
Depart Circular Quay for a memorable ferry ride across Sydney Harbour before departing at Manly. Hop off and makeyour way through the buzz of cafés and bars to the cool, quiet bushland of North Head in the Sydney Harbour National Park. Perched high above the water, there are uninterrupted views of the harbour and out over the Pacific Ocean. The paved Fairfax walk is an easy 1km track that loops around North Head and takes in three lookouts – ideal for whale watching.
West Head Lookout, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park CREDIT: Destination NSW
Barrenjoey Headland viewed from West Head lookout, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
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West Head Lookout, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park CREDIT: Destination NSW
Barrenjoey Headland viewed from West Head lookout, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
Whale Watching, Sydney CREDIT: Destination NSW
Humpback whale breaching near Sydney Heads on its annual migration along the NSW coastline.
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Whale Watching, Sydney CREDIT: Destination NSW
Humpback whale breaching near Sydney Heads on its annual migration along the NSW coastline.
South Head, Watsons Bay
Try your luck at spotting whales from a different perspective, on the other side of Sydney Harbour at South Head. Embark on the 2km South Head Heritage Trail and soak up scenic beach and harbour views, and if you strike out here, make your way to The Gap lookout for more whale watching vantage points. Afterwards, refuel from your adventures with a delicious lunch at Watsons Bay, all just a 25-minute drive or ferry ride from the harbour city.
The Coast Track, Royal National Park
Pack your adventurous spirit and traverse the winding 26km trail between Bundeena and Otford - The Coast Track. Hugging the cliffs for much of its route, the entire track will take a up to two full days to tackle but offers plenty of lookout points to spot these gentle giants in their natural habitat along the coast.
On the water
Get up close and personal with these bewildering creatures on a whale-watching cruise, departing regularly from Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, Manly and Cronulla during the season. The cruises follow the pods along the coast, with vessels ranging from fast and nimble speedboats with Ocean Extreme and Manly Ocean Adventures, to larger ferry-style boats with Captain Cook Cruises, FantaSea Cruising, Oz Whale Watching, Whale Watching Sydney and Cronulla Whale Watching.
Whale Watching, Sydney CREDIT: Destination NSW
Whale Watching, Sydney
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Whale Watching, Sydney CREDIT: Destination NSW
Whale Watching, Sydney
Whale Watching Sydney CREDIT: Destination NSW
Two humpback whales passing through Sydney during their migration up the NSW coastline.
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Whale Watching Sydney CREDIT: Destination NSW
Two humpback whales passing through Sydney during their migration up the NSW coastline.