Catch A Crab, West Tweed HeadsCredit: Destination NSW
Catch your own mud crab feast on the Tweed River with the help of local experts.
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Extending from south of Yamba up to The Tweed, the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales is known for its abundance of seafood, both from its rivers and the ocean. If you’re a seafood lover, here are some of the region’s top seafood experiences to add to your list, from north to south.
Catch your own mud crab on the Tweed River
Mud crabs love the mangroves of the majestic Tweed River. Draw on your Aboriginal guide’s ancient wisdom as you hunt for crabs with traditional-style spears on an Tweed Eco Cruises Pot to Plate Adventure, or trap crabs and pump for yabbies on a Catch a Crab tour. Whether you catch a feed or not, you’ll have a ball trying.
Enjoy a haute seafood feast on the Tweed Coast
Located in Kingscliff, Fins seafood restaurant has a special place in the hearts of Northern Rivers locals. Chef Steve Snow put sustainable seafood on the menu nearly three decades ago, and his fine-dining restaurant menu continues to explore flavours and cooking methods discovered during his travels. Other lauded local restaurants known for their superb local seafood dishes include Pipit in Pottsville, Paper Daisy at the Halcyon House boutique Hotel in Cabarita and Raes Dining Room further south in Byron Bay.
Tweed Eco Cruises, Tweed Heads Credit: Tweed Eco Cruises
Pot to Plate Adventure, Tweed Eco Cruises.
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Tweed Eco Cruises, Tweed Heads Credit: Tweed Eco Cruises
Pot to Plate Adventure, Tweed Eco Cruises.
Halcyon House, Cabarita Beach Credit: Destination NSW
Paper Daisy restaurant is known for its fine seafood.
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Halcyon House, Cabarita Beach Credit: Destination NSW
Paper Daisy restaurant is known for its fine seafood.
Eat fish and chips in Brunswick Heads
Just north of Byron Bay, Brunswick Head’s riverside park is an idyllic setting for a take-away fish and chips feast. Order yours from Hoopers, just across the road, or Starfish Takeaway on Mullumbimbi Street. Staying locally? Head to the boat ramp just north of town in the morning to buy fresh seafood straight off the incoming boats.
Get a Big Prawn selfie in Ballina
Okay, so you can’t eat it, but Ballina’s Big Prawn makes for a great selfie. Afterwards, grab your own fresh catch from one of the seafood stores across the road to enjoy in a local park or beach such as Shelly Beach in East Ballina. If you packed a rod, Ballina also has great beach and river fishing.
Go game fishing in Evans Head
Always wanted to hook a marlin? Based in Ballina, Fozie’s Fishing Adventures can take you game fishing between Evans Head and Byron Bay from October to May when the big fish are biting. If you head out at the start of the season you might get to enjoy some whale-watching while you’re at it.
Peel prawns on the beach in Yamba
It would be remiss to stop in Yamba without sampling the local prawns for which this fishing town is famous. Located in the Clarence Valley, Yamba has an established fishing fleet that supplies the local cafés, restaurants, markets and the Clarence River Fishermen’s Co-operative with an abundance of fresh seafood. Grab a haul from the co-op to peel yourself on the beach.
Streetscape, Yamba Credit: Destination NSW
Views down Coldstream Street to Yamba's town centre.
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Streetscape, Yamba Credit: Destination NSW
Views down Coldstream Street to Yamba's town centre.
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Corowa Whisky & Chocolate, CorowaCredit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying a visit to Corowa Whisky & Chocolate, Corowa.
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Feast on the riches of one of Australia’s most important food bowls on a road trip through the Murray, named after the mighty river that flows through this southwest area of New South Wales. Float down the river on a historic paddlesteamer wine cruise, stop by farm gates to sample incredible fresh produce, and dine at chic restaurants and bars in this unique culinary playground.
Take the back roads for gourmet treats
Head off the beaten path along The Backroads Trail, a 250km driving route that passes through the small pastoral towns of Barham, Moama, Mathoura and Deniliquin on the upper reaches of the Murray River. Sink your teeth into fresh olives, avocados, free-range pork, honey and citrus fruit from farm gates along its loops and trails, and taste the region’s wines at vineyards such as Restdown Wines. While you’re at this winery, venture out along the Restdown Wetland Walk to encounter Aboriginal cooking hearths and an old sheep camp.
Cruise along to The Old School Winery & Meadery in Womboota to pick up wine, pottery and honey mead. Or seek out Ivy Joyce in Barham to indulge in a warm space, offering local produce from farms for a truly paddock to plate experience in the heart of Murray River country. For more snacks and meaty fare such as British-style pork pies and sausages, head to Pacdon Park’s factory shop in Moama.
You can work up an appetite as you build your own itinerary on the theme of food, paddocks and produce, and find suggested routes and maps to Murray River farm gates, at the Echuca Moama Visitor Centre.
Wine and dine along the river
Embark on a wine tour by water in Moama, where the first steamboats made their way up the Murray in 1853. Take a Murray River Paddlesteamers Wharf to Winery Cruise from the town to Morrisons Riverview Winery for a leisurely lunch. Or drive along the river, stopping in at Three Black Sheep for risotto and woodfired pizzas, and tasting crisp dry whites and full-flavoured reds at St Anne’s Vineyards, where you can nibble on a cheese platter overlooking a scenic lake.
Head east along the riverside roads to rest and recharge in the town of Tocumwal, known for its riverside beaches, golf courses, glider flying and iconic Big Murray Cod statue. Start the following day with a solid foundation of breakfast pizza (topped with bacon, eggs and a hash brown) at The Old Bank and indulge in a scoop of ice-cream or sorbet from Tocumwal Ice Creamery – flavours include rocky road, green apple or macadamia. If you’re in town on a Saturday, pick up honey, fruit, vegetables, olive oil, dressings and other condiments made by local producers at the Tocumwal Foreshore Markets.
Continue your odyssey along the river to Corowa, the birthplace of Australian Federation. Immerse in the town’s rich turn-of-the-20th-century colonial heritage as you make your way to the former 1920s flour mill housing Corowa Distilling Co. Here you can book a whisky tasting and behind-the-scenes tour and buy locally made chocolates and sweets from sister shop Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory. Work off an indulgent afternoon with a walk along the river before settling into the stylish Circa 1936 hotel, which is housed in an Art Deco former bank on the main street of Corowa.
Celebrate regional ingredients in Albury
From Corowa, follow the Riverina Highway eastward to the city of Albury, a food, wine and culture hub. Taste how seasonality and locality are expressed at The Proprietor, a former butcher shop turned cafe offering brunch treats such as fruit toast with Beechworth honey and whipped ricotta, and banana waffles with Gundowring vanilla ice-cream. Or try the all-day breakfast offering at Mr Benedict, from cheesy bacon waffle with popcorn chicken to one of its signature eggs benedicts, including one with cider-braised ham hock.
At The River Deck restaurant, local ingredients are celebrated alongside stunning river views, and dishes may include chicken Caesar salad with Milawa eggs or beef brisket braised in coffee by Albury roaster The Brothers Cup. At tiny and elegant Bistro Selle, complement warm Gooramadda olives with a buttery Australian chardonnay and fresh market fish. Yardbird offers a bold-flavoured menu featuring dishes like scorched Albacore tuna, along with meats grilled in a Spanish woodfired oven.
In between meals, stroll along the Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk and take in the contemporary artworks by Aboriginal artists that line the Wagirra Trail. Meander through the Murray Art Museum Albury’s contemporary photographic collection, Aboriginal art and works by renowned Australian artist Sir Russell Drysdale. Afterwards, order lunch or dinner at the museum’s excellent Canvas Eatery – try the saltbush lamb rump or one of their Neapolitan-style pizzas.
The Old School Winery & Meadery, Womboota Credit: Destination NSW
Couple taste tasting mead at The Old School Winery & Meadery, Womboota
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The Old School Winery & Meadery, Womboota Credit: Destination NSW
Couple taste tasting mead at The Old School Winery & Meadery, Womboota
Morrison's Riverview Winery and Restaurant, Moama Credit: Destination NSW
Food and wine available from Morrison's Riverview Winery and Restaurant, Moama.
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Morrison's Riverview Winery and Restaurant, Moama Credit: Destination NSW
Food and wine available from Morrison's Riverview Winery and Restaurant, Moama.
Corowa Whisky & Chocolate, Corowa Credit: Destination NSW
Corowa Whisky & Chocolate located in a 1920âs old flour mill in Corowa.
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Corowa Whisky & Chocolate, Corowa Credit: Destination NSW
Corowa Whisky & Chocolate located in a 1920âs old flour mill in Corowa.
Canvas Eatery, Albury Credit: Destination NSW
Food and wine available at Canvas Eatery in Albury.
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Canvas Eatery, Albury Credit: Destination NSW
Food and wine available at Canvas Eatery in Albury.