Will Brook - CEO BrookfarmCredit: Brookfarm
Will Brook - CEO Brookfarm
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Will Brook is a second-generation macadamia farmer, environmentalist and advocate for rural industry and employment.
Will grew up on Brookfarm, Northern Rivers NSW, where he and his family regenerated a tired old dairy farm in the Byron Bay Hinterland into a thriving rainforest eco-system and macadamia orchard, planting over 35,000 rainforest and eucalyptus trees. 30 years on and Brookfarm exports its gourmet macadamia-based mueslis, granolas, premium nut mixes, muesli bars and macadamia oil blends to a global and domestic market.
Following two decades at the helm, Brookfarm co-founders Pam and Martin Brook handed over the reins to their eldest son, Will Brook, who is now CEO.
Here Will shares his expert travel guide to exploring Byron Bay and the surrounding region, which of course includes a visit to Cape Byron Distillery, run by his younger brother and located on his family’s macadamia farm.
Best place for visitors to grocery shop: “My spot for almost everything is Bay Grocer in the town centre. The coffee is fantastic, the crew are the best, deli is delicious with home-made goodies and the store has an incredible selection of gourmet delights.”
Greatest coffee in the village: “I really like The Pass Cafe, not only is the cafe great, but the beach views are amazing. There’s always a little bit of nostalgia there for me as I remember going for breakfast since I was a young kid learning to surf.”
Main Beach, Byron Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Sun setting over Main Beach, Byron Bay.
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Main Beach, Byron Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Sun setting over Main Beach, Byron Bay.
Favourite place to eat local produce: “My favourite place to eat local (apart from Bay Grocer) has to be the Byron Farmers Market. Fresh food from farmers and independent local businesses is extremely hard to beat. We can load the kids up with apples and bananas and do our weekly shop. It is open on a Thursday from 7-11am at Cavanbah Centre, so great for those on an extra-long weekend visit.”
Finest place for a beverage: “Cape Byron Distillery of course! The distillery, run by my brother Eddie, is located on our family farm surrounded by rainforest where many of the botanicals are sourced and are the inspiration to create Brookie’s Byron Dry Gin. The cellar door is open for tours, tastings and cocktail visits.”
Best walking track: “I’m a little biased but my favourite nature walk is on our own farm, through our macadamias, and through the rainforest that Mum, Dad, my brother Eddie and I helped regenerate. The area has a feeling of complete peace. It’s a special feeling to show others through this area as well and we are lucky enough to do this at Cape Byron Distillery - we want to show people that it takes less than a generation to completely revitalise an environment. On top of that I do like to go on the quick ocean walk at Broken Head, it not too long of a walk for the kids, plus its incredibly beautiful to see the immensity of the Northern Rivers coastline.”
Broken Head Beach, Byron Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Surfers walking along Broken Head Beach, Byron Bay.
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Broken Head Beach, Byron Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Surfers walking along Broken Head Beach, Byron Bay.
Cape Byron Lighthouse, Byron Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Cape Byron Lighthouse sitting on Australia's most easterly point, Byron Bay.
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Cape Byron Lighthouse, Byron Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Cape Byron Lighthouse sitting on Australia's most easterly point, Byron Bay.
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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.
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.
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.