Tweed Heads

Aboriginal culture tours, walk and museum

Indigenous guides offer fascinating insights into the history of local communities at the Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre complete with a well-curated museum and Walk on Water boardwalk trail over wetlands and through native forest. Discover bush tucker through interpretive signs with permission granted to visit a site traditionally used to host ceremonies, a sacred bora ring. Join a tour with Kiff & Culture to connect with respected indigenous locals, hear their stories and learn about traditions.

Tweed Eco Cruises, Tweed Heads

Sail and fish rivers and ocean

The Tweed River runs through the heart of the Tweed Valley in the shadow of Wollubin Mount Warning. One of the best ways to take in its expanse is with Tweed Eco Cruises, offering leisurely journeys through subtropical rainforest, mangroves and fields of sugarcane. Glide along the water at sunset or discover the techniques needed to catch spanner, mud and sand crabs. Feast on a river cruise with Tweed Escapes choosing between a seafood buffet through to a six-course banquet.

Tweed Escapes, Tweed Heads

It’s a similar experience with Catch a Crab with your haul prepared aboard your boat, followed by a visit to an oyster farm for freshly shucked molluscs. If you prefer to captain your own ship, hire a houseboat from Berger Houseboat Holidays. Explore the river at your own pace, spotting dolphins, swimming, kayaking and fishing whenever the mood strikes. The best bit? You don’t need a boat license or boating experience to take the wheel.

Catch a Crab experience

Beaches, surfing, lookouts and whale watching

Spot dolphins and whales migrating along the coast (May through November) from the Point Danger lookout, a scenic headland marking the border between NSW and Queensland. From the lookout, you’re a short walk from Duranbah Beach, particularly popular among surfers for its reliably good waves.

Duranbah Beach, Tweed Heads

This is the most northerly stretch of sand in the state – cross the Tweed River southward, and you’ll find more breaks carving along the 3.3km Letitia Spit, this long sandy stretch also offering calm coves for swimming. Join a scuba diving or snorkelling tour to nearby Cook Island Aquatic Reserve, a haven for sea turtles, giant gropers and grey nurse sharks.

Cook Island, Fingal Head

Cafes, restaurants and a distillery

After you’ve had your fill of oysters and crab on a cruise, then feast your way through Tweed Heads’ restaurants and cafes for some flavour-packed tropical produce, including native delicacies like finger limes. Linger over brunch at Next Door Espresso or enjoy classic pub fare in a family-friendly setting at Club Tweed and Club Banora.

Next Door Espresso, Tweed Heads - Credit: Next Door Espresso

To picnic in style, pick up a loaf of sourdough or cinnamon-crusted doughnuts at The Bread Social and exotic fruit from Tropical Fruit World. 

Tropical Fruit World, Duranbah

Visit Australia's only agricultural rum distillery, Husk Farm Distillery. Set on 150 acres on the banks of the Tweed River, visit the cellar door for a cocktail and lunch, purchase limited-release bottles and soak up the views across the valley. 

Husk Distillers, North Tumbulgum

Where to stay

When you arrive, all manner of accommodation options await, from holiday parks with lots of fun facilities to motels and glamorous waterside apartments. Stay close to restaurants and bars at Mantra Twin Towns.

Mantra Twin Towns, Tweed Heads - Credit: Mantra Twin Towns

Getting there 

Close to two airports, fly to the Gold Coast Airport (10-minute drive away) or Ballina Byron Gateway Airport (one-hour drive away). If you’re fond of an epic road trip, the Legendary Pacific Coast drive north from Sydney to Tweed Heads takes around nine hours, with lots of places to explore along the way.