Lord Howe Island Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic views of Lord Howe Island captured by Eugene Tan
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Go beach hopping along the north coast of NSW and you’ll be hanging out with joyous dolphins, turtles and humpback whales for an unmissable taste of freedom. Each town along the eight-hour drive from Sydney to Byron Bay offers you something different - from tiny restaurants redolent with the aroma of Asian spices, roadside stores with fresh produce, historic buildings or boutiques with original surf and resort wear.
Celebrate the wonder of nature at Lord Howe Island, off the coast of Port Macquarie, teeming with wildlife, which almost feels like it has drifted right off pages of an adventure book. A journey around the north coast of NSW engages all the senses.
Byron Bay’s boho vibe
Meet the luxe Bohemians of Byron Bay, just an hour’s flight from Sydney. This evocative coastal town is beloved of barefoot celebrities including local residents Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky along with their Hollywood mates. Consider Byron Bay as an all-encompassing wellness destination where exercising, meditating, and eating healthily is pursued so passionately that an oat milk latte is the coffee order of choice.
Dress like a rock star for lunch at Raes
Sooner or later everyone turns up to the award-winning Raes on Wategos boutique hotel. Raes has a storied history as a haute hippie establishment where legendary guests have included Keith Richards, Kate Winslet and Elle Macpherson. It also boasts one of the most Instagrammed staircases in Australia - because if you haven’t had a selfie there, you’re probably not in Byron.
Be feted like a Hemsworth over a long lunch at Raes Dining Room. Choose a table on the terrace with views beneath a wide canopy and linger over the eclectic menu as you try to decide on the Australian Bay Lobster cooked over coals or a tasting menu with matching wines, which kicks off with Cornetto Kangaroo Tonnato. Well, this is no time for half measures.
Unfurl your yoga mat at Elements of Byron
Don’t miss out on a yoga workout at the wondrous health retreat Elements of Byron, which has 193 private villas spread over 50 acres for the full Byron Bay hotel experience. The First Light Beachfront Yoga Session, which is led by pro yogis is unforgettable. This is nature’s showtime as the sun climbs into the sky and washes Belongil Beach in golden light. Even if your downward dog looks more like a sick puppy, you’ll be helped and encouraged. By the time your yoga mat is rolled up again you’ll be filled with peace and serenity. You could also take a yoga class include Creature Yoga or Bamboo Yoga School.
Raes on Wategos, Byron Bay Credit: Madeleine Johnson / Sean Fennessy
Raes on Wategos, Byron Bay
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Raes on Wategos, Byron Bay Credit: Madeleine Johnson / Sean Fennessy
Raes on Wategos, Byron Bay
Wategos Beach, Byron Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Sunrise over Wategos Beach, Byron Bay.
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Wategos Beach, Byron Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Sunrise over Wategos Beach, Byron Bay.
Sample the ultimate organic food on a bush tucker tour
The North Coast is the home to the people of the Bundjalung Nation, who are always open to sharing their knowledge of the region’s Aboriginal Culture, history and way of life. This is the true heartbeat of Byron.
Engaging Arakwal woman Delta Kay, unlocks some of the mystery around bush foods and herbs during a Bush Tucker Walk each Thursday, near the lush hinterland town of Bangalow with Explore Byron Bay. Join Delta to discover the fascinating ways that the Bundjalung People have lived in harmony with the land and sea for thousands of years.
Immerse yourself in the wonders of Lord Howe Island
Just a short flight away, the 14sq km Lord Howe Island is a true wildlife sanctuary, restricted to just 400 visitor beds at any one time. This adventure paradise is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List and boasts 241 species of native plants (including 105 unique to the island) with 207 varieties of exotic bird life, making it one of Australia’s most thrilling bird watching destinations. while some 500 species of tropical, subtropical and temperate fish abound in the Lord Howe Island Marine Park with more than 60 dive sites.
One of the dreamiest places to stay here is the award-winning, Capella Lodge, with just nine suites to enhance the feeling that you have the run of your own resort home. Many of the suites have their own pools and spa with decks to take in the dramatic views of Mount Gower, the emerald sea and the vibrant foliage.
Capella Lodge is the perfect place to launch an expedition whether that means exploring underwater with its stunning coral beds, fishing, setting out on an eight-hour trek to Mount Gower or just cycling around the island. Afterwards, restore and revive at Capella Spa. There’s such a feeling of generosity and warmth here with an open bar with complimentary drinks from 6 o’clock, in-suite bars with drinks and snacks on hand and a stunning restaurant which showcases regional produce.
You’ll discover a very different take on decadence on Lord Howe Island to have your fill of all that nature has to offer you. It’s simply unmissable.
Blinky Beach, Lord Howe Island Credit: tom-archer.com
Scenic coastal views of Blinky Beach looking towards Mount Lidgbird and Mount Gower, Lord Howe Island.
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Blinky Beach, Lord Howe Island Credit: tom-archer.com
Scenic coastal views of Blinky Beach looking towards Mount Lidgbird and Mount Gower, Lord Howe Island.
Snorkelling, Lord Howe Island Credit: Destination NSW
Woman snorkelling off Lord Howe Island.
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Snorkelling, Lord Howe Island Credit: Destination NSW
Woman snorkelling off Lord Howe Island.
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Surfing, Cabarita BeachCredit: Destination NSW
Surfers catching a morning wave at Cabarita Beach.
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Bliss-inducing beaches and dreamy hinterland vistas are just the entrée in the Tweed. You’ll be glad you packed your appetite for this easy-to-navigate destination at the tip of the New South Wales North Coast, where a memorable meal is always within easy reach. Be inspired to create your own itinerary with these highlights.
Uncover foodie delights galore
Get acquainted with the vibrancy and quality of the Tweed’s culinary scene, which includes everything from fine-dining restaurants to farmgate cafés and everything in between.
Set yourself up for a day’s exploration with an energising coffee in an unexpected setting at Bastion Lane Espresso, housed in a 1909 post office in the tiny hinterland town of Uki, or follow locals to the likes of Black Drop Cafe in seaside Pottsville. Once you've got your caffeine fix, head further north to Tropical Fruit World - the tourist park, cafe and commercial exotic fruit farm where more than 500 exotic tropical fruit varieties are grown.
Level up to a coastal fine dining treat at the likes of Pipit in Pottsville, where ex-Noma chef Ben Devlin delivers memorable and sustainable dishes, and Fins in Kingscliff, where you can taste Steven Snow’s passion for seafood in every dish. Inland, savour a gourmet contemporary meal with a side-serve of relaxing river views at Murwillumbah’s Tweed River House, or feel like you’ve been invited to an old friend’s house for lunch at Potager, an intimate restaurant on a farm in Carool where freshly picked garden produce joins local wild venison on the menu.
In seaside Casuarina, pair zingy chilli margaritas with crispy cauliflower-filled tacos at Lolita’s Mexican Cantina. Or relive the 1980s as you sink your teeth into a burger at Rita’s, a five-minute drive south in Cabarita.
When it’s time for a drink, learn the inspiring paddock-to-bottle story of Husk Distillers in Tumbulgum as you sample its pioneering rum on a cellar door tour, then sip a cocktail in the courtyard as you soak up the inspiring views of Wollumbin (Mount Warning). You can also cosy up in a characterful former avocado shed with a craft brew at Earth Beer Company in Cudgen, and snack on local charcuterie as you work your way through the expertly curated wine list at Bistro Livi in Murwillumbah.
Alternatively, leave the gourmet itinerary planning to Kiff & Culture and enjoy a tantalising taste of the Tweed on its Tweed Hinterland Food & Drink Tour.
Pipit Restaurant, Pottsville Credit: Pipit Restaurant and Sabine Bannard
Pipit Restaurant in coastal Pottsville, north of Byron Bay.
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Pipit Restaurant, Pottsville Credit: Pipit Restaurant and Sabine Bannard
Pipit Restaurant in coastal Pottsville, north of Byron Bay.
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.
Discover your new favourite pastime
Luxuriate in the ever-changing scenery as you glide along the Tweed River, with boat tours including Tweed Escapes’ Blue Ginger Picnics on Water, featuring a menu of 100 per cent seasonal local produce, and Tweed Eco Cruises’ Sunset Cruise, during which you can enjoy drinks and grazing plates as you marvel at the evening lightshow when the sun goes down.
Ready your sense of adventure for whale-watching, snorkelling with turtles around Cook Island and more with Watersports Guru. Tweed Sea Sports can also take you for a thrilling scuba dive with the three species of marine turtle that hang out around the small island just south of Tweed Heads. Or revel in the lack of crowds as you beach-hop along the gorgeous Tweed coast at your own pace.
Have a lightbulb moment as you learn how the Tweed Valley was created over 24 million years with a visit to the Tweed Regional Museum in Tweed Heads. Get a glimpse of how it felt to visit the acclaimed Australian still-life painter Margaret Olley in her home studio at the Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre in Murwillumbah, where a recreation includes more than 20,000 items she collected over the years.
Immerse yourself in Murwillumbah’s vibrant arts community at the M-Arts Precinct, which brings art, coffee and food lovers together in an art deco building and industrial warehouse. Connect with artists in their studios in renovated shipping containers, shop for upcycled clothing and pick up some fresh blooms at Flowerista.
Sign up for a memorable stay
Feel like you’ve stepped into the Australian Hamptons at 21-room boutique hotel Halcyon House in Cabarita, where the chic rooms are just as Instagrammable as its modern Australian restaurant, Paper Daisy. Just up the street, find out how much fun seaside glamping can be at The Hideaway, where spacious bell tents are kitted out with indoor and outdoor furniture, bar fridges, fans and, in some tents, even air-conditioning.
Watching the sun set behind Wollumbin is mesmerising, and at La Rochér Eco Retreat, at Smiths Creek in the Tweed hinterland, you can take in the stirring show from your luxury villa or from the dreamy infinity pool. Nearby, at Mt Warning Estate in Dum Dum, revel in the uplifting views of Wollumbin as you relax in the outdoor bathtub or sip wine by the fireplace.
Enjoy the ease of simply heading upstairs to bed after a drink at Murwillumbah’s pink ‘Impy’, as the Imperial Hotel is locally known, where recently renovated rooms reference the building’s art deco design. And you really can wake up and smell the coffee at Origin House, a two-bedroom self-catering cottage on the Zeta’s Coffee plantation tucked up in the hills near Potager. You can also holiday in a local heritage home such as the Belle Riverhouse, a century-old luxury house on the Tweed River with a huge wraparound verandah that you can share with 16 of your nearest and dearest.
Halcyon House, Cabarita Beach Credit: Destination NSW
Swimming pool in boutique hotel Halcyon House, Cabarita Beach.
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Halcyon House, Cabarita Beach Credit: Destination NSW
Swimming pool in boutique hotel Halcyon House, Cabarita Beach.
Surfing, Cabarita Beach Credit: Destination NSW
Women heading out for a morning surf at Cabarita Beach.
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Surfing, Cabarita Beach Credit: Destination NSW
Women heading out for a morning surf at Cabarita Beach.