Sunrise, Fingal HeadCREDIT: David Kirkland
Scenic coastal views from Fingal Head at sunrise.
#lovensw #newsouthwales
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.
#lovensw #newsouthwales
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.
#lovensw #newsouthwales
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.
#lovensw #newsouthwales
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.
#lovensw #newsouthwales
Tweed Eco Cruises, Tweed Heads CREDIT: Tweed Eco Cruises
Tweed Eco Cruises, Tweed Heads.
MORE INSPIRATIONAL STORIES
Mungo National Park, MungoCREDIT: Tyson Mayr
The night sky over the Walls of China in Mungo National Park, Mungo.
#lovensw #newsouthwales
One of the ultimate ways to switch off, unwind, and relax is by immersing yourself in nature - mobile phones not welcome!
You may have heard of Kosciuszko and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Parks, but did you know New South Wales is home to more than 870 national parks and reserves? If you venture beyond the big-hitters you’ll find an array of lesser-known parks that offer incredible bushwalking, swimming, Aboriginal history, and more. Here are five under-the-radar national parks that call NSW home.
Mungo National Park
The landscapes of Mungo National Park in Outback NSW, 1,000km west of Sydney, are so otherworldly that arriving here feels like stepping onto another planet. In contrast to the green trees and flowing waterfalls of many other NSW national parks, Mungo is full of red earth, sand dunes, wild emus and unusual rock formations. It’s unlike anything else in Australia.
Don’t miss the Walls of China and Red Top lookouts, which can be explored on walking tours and offer magnificent views of the park below, particularly at sunrise and sunset. You can also tackle one of the park’s cycle loops, taking in the desertscapes around you as you pedal. Another must-see is the dry bed of Lake Mungo, which is now filled with photogenic layers of sand and clay called ‘lunettes’. Here, you can also learn more about the Aboriginal history and culture of the Paakantji, Ngiyampaa and Mutthi Mutthi people. The park is home to Mungo Lady and Mungo Man, which date back 42,000 years and are considered to be the oldest human remains found outside of Africa.
Where to stay: There are two campgrounds in the park (the Main Campground has more facilities), or you can opt for a basic but comfortable stay inside at the Mungo Shearers’ Quarters. Consider breaking up the drive here with a night in Wagga Wagga.
Bungonia National Park
You don’t have to go remote to discover a new national park. Just 2.5 hours’ drive southwest from Sydney, you’ll find Bungonia National Park, which is known as the adventure capital of the NSW Southern Tablelands. You can abseil, rock climb, hike and go canyoning or caving here. But for a slower pace, bushwalks are a great way to explore the scenery. A popular walk is the 6.7km Green Track (allow 2.5 to 3.5 hours to complete the loop). Multi-day guided adventure treks are also possible.
Where to stay: Pitch a tent in the national park campground (which has toilets, showers, barbecue facilities and drinking water) or choose from the many accommodation options in Goulburn, just 30 minutes’ drive to the west.
Mungo National Park, Mungo CREDIT: Tyson Mayr
Man watching the sunset at the Walls of China in Mungo National Park, Mungo.
#feelnew #feelnsw
Mungo National Park, Mungo CREDIT: Tyson Mayr
Man watching the sunset at the Walls of China in Mungo National Park, Mungo.
Bungonia National Park CREDIT: Sara Fife; Capital Country Tourism
Lookout at Bungonia National Park, Capital Country
#feelnew #feelnsw
Bungonia National Park CREDIT: Sara Fife; Capital Country Tourism
Lookout at Bungonia National Park, Capital Country
Boonoo Boonoo National Park
It’s in Boonoo Boonoo National Park that famed poet Banjo Paterson proposed to his sweetheart Alice Walker back in 1903. Patterson popped the question at Boonoo Boonoo Falls Lookout, where you can still see the mighty, 210-metre tall waterfall cascade down into the rainforest gorge below.
The national park, 30 minutes north of Tenterfield, is perfect for soaking up northern NSW’s natural beauty with bushwalking trails, secluded rock pools, and more to discover. Pack your swimsuit and tackle the 6.1km River Walk, which takes you through eucalypt forest and past the river, where you may see wallabies and kangaroos grazing; allow 3.5 to 4.5 hours each way.
Where to stay: By the river, Cypress Pine Campground has toilets and barbecue facilities. Just inside the park, there’s also Robinsons Cabin, or get a room in Tenterfield, just 27 kilometres from the park.
Paroo-Darling National Park
An hour north of Wilcannia in far western NSW, Paroo-Darling National Park’s position on the Murray-Darling Basin means you can kayak, canoe and fish here. The rugged park is home to the serene Peery Lake, which draws kangaroos, emus and an incredible array of birds to the shore when full; look out for pink cockatoos! Just keep in mind that this is a remote part of NSW, so you must bring everything you’ll need with you.
Where to stay: Camp at the park’s Coach and Horses Campground, perhaps breaking up the journey in Dubbo if you’re headed here from Sydney.
Mutawintji National Park
Another ruggedly beautiful national park in the Central Darling Shire, 2.5 hours drive northeast of Broken Hill, is Mutawintji National Park, where you can see the crimson red Bynguano Ranges and immerse yourself in Aboriginal history.
The ancestral home of the Malyankapa and Pandjikali people, Mutawintji National Park is NSW’s first Aboriginal-owned national park. Discover Aboriginal rock engravings and spot emus on trails that lace this wild outback landscape such as the 7.5km-return Homestead Gorge Walking Track. You can also explore the park on a tour with Tri State Safaris based in Broken Hill.
Where to stay: The well-equipped Homestead Creek Campground is a great base for exploring the park. It has showers and barbecue facilities, but you’ll need to bring your own drinking water.
Paroo River, Wanaaring CREDIT: Destination NSW
Paroo River, Wanaaring, near Paroo-Darling National Park.
#feelnew #feelnsw
Paroo River, Wanaaring CREDIT: Destination NSW
Paroo River, Wanaaring, near Paroo-Darling National Park.
Mutawintji National Park, Mutawintji CREDIT: Destination NSW
Mutawintji National Park tour guide Keanu Bates showing visitors Aboriginal rock art at Mutawintji Historic Site.
#feelnew #feelnsw
Mutawintji National Park, Mutawintji CREDIT: Destination NSW
Mutawintji National Park tour guide Keanu Bates showing visitors Aboriginal rock art at Mutawintji Historic Site.