The Tweed, as it is affectionately called, covers the area of Tweed Heads, Tweed Coast and Tweed Valley. It extends from the border town of Tweed Heads in northern New South Wales, to Wooyung on the Tweed Coast, and then inland to the Tweed Valley and Wollumbin. Must do things to do on The Tweed are as diverse as the region itself.

Possessing the best of three worlds, The Tweed has a spectacular hinterland; pristine beaches and quirky coastal villages, and a meandering river that snakes its way from the ocean into the valley. It also boasts the sophistication of an emerging foodie scene, with farm fresh produce abundant, and breweries and distilleries popping up in the region.

Things To Do In Tweed Heads

Tweed Heads is located right on the border of the Gold Coast in Queensland and is a thriving river town that is popular with holiday makers. The towns lifeblood is the Tweed River and waterways, that is evident with its amount of boats and the prevalent fishing industry. Here is why Tweed Heads offers a lot of “bang for buck”:

• Jump aboard the Catch A Crab tour on the Tweed River to catch some mud crabs, pump for yabbies, go fishing, feed the Pelicans, and dine on fresh seafood. Get on a tour from Birds Bay Drive, Tweed Heads every morning departing at 9.30am. Afternoon tours depart at 2pm with a 1pm lunch (operates seasonally).
  
• Go dancing or catch a show or live entertainment at Twin Towns Services Club in Wharf Street, Tweed Heads. See the best Australian and international artists and concerts at daytime and evening shows. Enjoy free live music and dancing in the lounge.
  
• Surf at the infamous Duranbah Beach located just over the Queensland/New South Wales border at the bottom of Point Danger.
  
• Be in two states at once at Point Danger Lighthouse on the border of New South Wales and Queensland and take in the majestic views from the headland. Perfect for Whale watching from May to November.
  
• Keep the kids entertained for hours at Tabatinga Play Centre, an incredible indoor children’s entertainment centre located at Seagulls Leagues Club in Tweed Heads West.
  
• Swim with Whales or Sea Turtles with Cooly Eco Adventures specialising in eco-conscious Whale and marine adventure tours.
  
• Experience the Aboriginal cultural heritage of The Tweed and walk upon the boardwalk starting from Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre. The centre is located in Kirkwood Road, South Tweed Heads and is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday.
  
• Indulge in succulent Tweed River oysters with a cold beverage to wash it down at the riverside Oyster Shed at Birds Bay Drive, Tweed Heads. Open Friday and Saturday for lunch and dinner. Sunday for lunch to sunset only.
  
• Learn about the history of the area at the Tweed Regional Museum on Terranora Inlet at Kennedy Drive, Tweed Heads. Open Sunday 10am – 4pm.
  
• Play a round of golf at the 36-hole Coolangatta & Tweed Heads Golf Club located at Soorley Street, South Tweed Heads. Enjoy a drink or a meal afterwards at The Balcony Bar and Cafe and soak up the views of the golf course.
  
• Check out the Tweed Twilight Market at Jack Evans Harbour from 5pm to 9pm Friday nights. The market offers food stalls with cuisine from all over the world, handmade arts and crafts, and live music.
  
• Take a boat cruise along the Tweed River with Tweed Eco Cruises on a wide variety of tours departing from River Terrace, Tweed Heads.
  
• Sample freshly caught seafood from several seafood retailers in The Tweed. These include: Tweed River Seafood at Chinderah; Scales Seafood in Kennedy Drive, Tweed Heads; Selfish Fish N Chips at Jack Evans Boat Harbour in Tweed Heads; and Get Hooked in River Terrace, Tweed Heads.
  
• Try to catch your own seafood aboard a fishing boat charter with Cushy Fishing Charters at River Terrace, Tweed Heads.

Things To Do On The Tweed Coast

The Tweed Coast extends from Tweed Heads in the north to the laid-back village of Wooyung in the south. A day trip along the Tweed Coast will take you to some of the cutest little seaside villages. It will take you across estuarine creeks, through nature reserves, to scenic headlands, coastal lakes and epic surfing beaches.

• Discover ‘Giants Causeway’, a crescent shaped mass of hexagonal volcanic rocks, and the Fingal Lighthouse at the beachside and riverfront village of Fingal.
  
• Snorkel or scuba dive at nearby Cook Island or Nine Mile with Tweed Sea Sports. Dive boats run during the week and every weekend and offer a range of world-recognised PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) courses to suit all levels of interest and skill.
  
• Drive the scenic 25 kilometre Tweed Coast Road at your leisure stopping at each seaside village, such as Kingscliff, Cabarita Beach, Hastings Point, Pottsville and Wooyung.
  
• Hire a kayak or stand-up paddleboard with Watersports Guru and cruise along Cudgen Creek. You’ll find them down by beautiful Cudgen Creek between 9 – 4 daily (depending on the weather).
  
• Immerse into nature, sail on Cudgen Lake, kayak or canoe, and birdwatch at the Cudgen Nature Reserve. Located on the Tweed Coast Road west of the village of Bogangar and north of Hastings Point. 
  
• Go girls! With learn to surf lessons with Salty Girls Surf School. Surf lessons and clinics operate on several beaches; but mainly on Kingscliff main beach right beside Cudgen Creek.
  
• Walk up to Cabarita (Norries) Headland and take in the spectacular views. A great spot for whale watching in season or watching surfers catch waves.
  
• Drive to Hastings Point Headland for the magnificent views, marine life spotting and enjoy a swim or paddle in the calm waters of Cudgera Creek.
  
• Stroll along the esplanade at Kingscliff taking in the beautiful beach vista and enjoy a coffee at Zinc Cafe at the Cudgen Headland Surf Club.
  
• Walk or cycle along the 12 kilometre stretch of the Tweed Coast pathway from Kingscliff to Cabarita Beach. Meander through coastal scrub, past pretty beach entrances with glimpses of the ocean, and see quirky beach sculptures, elegant beach houses, under an umbrella of paper bark trees.
  
• Visit the weekend beachside markets at Kingscliff or Pottsville. Kingscliff runs every second and fourth Saturday of the month from 8am to 1pm in Jack Bayliss Park along Marine Parade. Pottsville Beach Markets are held on the first and third Sunday of each month from 7.15am to 1pm.
  
• Surf the point break at Cabarita Beach where you’re almost guaranteed a wave all year round.
  
• Enjoy a coldie at the end of the day with beach and sunset views from the balcony at Cudgen Headland Surf Club in Kingscliff.
  
• Check out the Tweed Coast’s latest development at Salt Village, with elegant beach houses, a tavern, shops, restaurants, coffee shops and extensive parklands.
  
• Stop at farm gate stalls and shops to stock up on farm fresh fruit and veggies. Try Matt & Mate on Cudgen Road, Kingscliff, Farm & Co. for fresh organic produce on Cudgen Road, Cudgen, or Palmers Veggie Shack on Tweed Coast Road, Cudgen.

Things To Do In The Tweed Valley

The Tweed Valley is also known as the ‘Green Cauldron’, as millions of years ago it was formed from volcanic activity from Mount Warning or Wollumbin. These fertile lands are green and lush, with rich volcanic soil that is ideal for farming and growing all sorts of crops.

There are plenty of day trip experiences in the Tweed Valley, so don’t think you’ll fit it all into just one day. Select a base and take your time exploring this glorious region.

• Take a drive along Cudgen Road (off Tweed Coast Road near Kingscliff turnoff), to stop and sample boutique beers at Earth Beer Company. Visit Farm & Co, where you can see a working farm with farm animals, vegetable crops, fields of sunflowers, and afterwards enjoy freshly prepared organic food and coffee in the cafe.
  
• See, taste and learn about all kinds of different tropical fruits from all around the world at Tropical Fruit World at Duranbah.
  
• Take a distillery tour, sample some locally distilled rums and gins, and enjoy a delicious lunch at Husk Farm Distillery at North Tumbulgum.
  
• Browse the Tweed Regional Art Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre in Murwillumbah. This incredible art gallery hosts an interesting array of art with ever changing art exhibitions from some of Australia’s top artists. Open from 10.00am to 5.00pm DST Wednesday to Sunday. Savour the beautiful green valley views afterwards from Gallery By Bacaro Cafe.
  
• See the incredible Mount Warning/Wollumbin National Park and set off on one of the bushwalking trails. Walking to the apex of Mount Warning is no longer permitted but there are walking trails around the base of the mountain through the rainforest.
  
• Lunch amongst the greenery and rainforest at Mavis’s Kitchen at the foot of Mount Warning. This relaxed country-style restaurant has a rich organic kitchen garden and is open Wednesday to Sunday for breakfast/brunch, lunch and dinner.
  
• Check out the arty village of Uki and the Buttery Shops, a heritage listed old butter factory converted into 8 speciality shops.
  
• Drive to Doon Doon (turnoff from Kyogle Road), to the hidden gem of Cram’s Farm on Clarrie Hall Dam. Admire the breathtaking beauty of Mount Warning in the horizon, the pretty lake with water lilies, take a stroll around the farm, kayak on the lake and take along a picnic lunch.
  
• Visit the old timber town of Tyalgum and relish in Devonshire Tea at Flutterbies Cottage Cafe. Browse the gallery of shops behind the cafe, the gift shop full of teddy bears, the Tyalgum General Store, and look out for the Tyalgum Village Market on the last Saturday of the month.
  
• Shop for exotic fruits and bush tucker species at Bucks Farm, visit the old Chillingham Store and Old Butchery Pottery Shop in Chillingham. The scenic drive out to Chillingham will take you through rainforests, lush green farmlands and across the old single-laned bridge over the Rous River.
  
• Stop by the World Heritage Rainforest Centre in Murwillumbah and check out local artwork at Caldera Wildscapes Gallery. Learn the story of Wollumbin (Mount Warning) and collect maps and information before heading out to explore this very scenic region.
  
• Dine at the award winning, Potager – A Kitchen Garden idyllically situated in an old farmhouse on Carool Road, Carool. The farm-fresh food cooked to perfection, mostly grown in the gardens surrounding the restaurant, and the surrounding views make this restaurant very special.
  
• Uncover some treasures at Heaths Old Wares & Collectables at Broadway, Buringbar. Open every day from 9am to 5pm.
  
• Taste some cheeses straight from the dairy at Tweed Valley Whey Farmhouse Cheeses on Tweed Valley Way at Buringbar. Afterwards enjoy a coffee of tea made from farm-fresh milk in the outdoor cafe and take in the gorgeous views over the dairy pastures. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 9am to 4pm.
  
• Pat and feed cute farm animals at Hosanna Farmstay at Tunnel Road, Stokers Siding. Come and join in feeding the animals, grab a coffee or go for a swim in the dam. Open every day.