15 minute read
Back to Nature
HOME TO THE MAJESTIC WOLLUMBIN MOUNT WARNING AND COMPRISING PART OF THE GONDWANA RAINFORESTS OF AUSTRALIA WORLD HERITAGE AREA – THE MOST EXTENSIVE SUBTROPICAL RAINFOREST IN THE WORLD WITH ANCIENT PLANTS AND ANIMALS FROM THE BEGINNING OF TIME – THE TWEED HINTERLAND IS NATURALLY A PLACE FOR IMMERSING IN GREEN FORESTS AND FRESH AIR.
Chart your nature journey around some of the area’s gardens, nature reserves and must-visit National Parks for hikes, biking, a picnic, birdwatching or simply breathing in the Tweed’s innate restorative energy, fresh air and green landscapes. So lace up your walking boots, pack your sense of adventure and set off on a refreshing two day escape to discover the Tweed’s diverse, natural beauty.
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DAY 1: Tumbulgum, Tyalgum, Crystal Creek
Ease in to your nature journey ahead and start the day riverside with a morning bite and coffee in Tumbulgum, overlooking the winding turns of the Tweed River, with thick rainforest and Wollumbin Mount Warning as constant backdrops.
For keen paddlers, bring your own kayak or hire one here to glide along the Tweed River, taking in its vast bends and the tall subtropical rainforest of Stotts Island, home to native birds, lizards, snakes and frogs. You can also opt to explore smaller tributaries on the Rous River Canoe Trail.
Head next to Murwillumbah, stopping by to take in the Tweed Regional Museum’s excellent Land|Life|Culture exhibit to better understand the area’s geological evolution.
It’s a pretty 20 minute country drive to Tyalgum, via Bray Park and along the Tyalgum Road as it traces the curve of the Oxley River. Time your visit for spring or autumn to tour the bursting colours and peaceful pockets within Tyalgum’s tranquil Garden of Light, a 25 acre property celebrating all manner of gardens, from cottage to Tuscan and even some Monet-inspired plantings.
Enjoy lunch at Flutterbies before heading north along Limpinwood Road. Take in sweeping valley views from Tyalgum Lookout, found along Boxsell Road, then continue on via Chillingham to overnight at Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat.
Here you’ll be embraced by ancient Gondwana rainforest, with over eight kilometres of tracks and fern-lined gullies to explore. There’s also a babbling brook to recline by and glow worms to spot at night!
ASK A LOCAL Gary Wall, Bastion Lane Espresso, Uki
Bastion Lane Espresso’s owner and director Gary Wall had long hankered to be part of the coffee industry. After completing an MBA in 2017, Gary purchased a working post office; his plan to run it in tandem with a coffee roastery was regarded by some as mildly bonkers. The large restoration project commenced and once the beautiful 1909 building was restored, the La Marzocco Strada espresso machine and Diedrich coffee roaster were installed, the Bastion Lane Espresso Bar opened its doors in January 2018. Word quickly spread around Uki and beyond that great coffee was being served in the old Uki Post Office, which goes hand-in-hand with our vision to create the best coffee experience for our customers.
I love: The location aspect, it really is second to none. Living in Uki, at the bottom of Mount Warning Wollumbin, we are only 35 mins from an International Airport, the same distance from the beach, and just 45 mins from Byron Bay. It’s the perfect mix of work and play.
I unwind by: Exercising and swimming at one of the many beautiful beaches in our region, Wooyung is my all-time favourite.
Eating out: Without question, Mavis’s Kitchen is my favourite. Owners Charlie and Peter have created a magnificent setting paired with a delicious food and wine menu. Saturday night dinner sitting on one of the balconies is my all-time favourite time to visit.
Must-do: Take time to pay a visit to the small, quaint towns in the region. They have so much character and our 'off the track' experiences give you the opportunity to engage with locals in a more intimate setting.
Did you know: Mount Warning Wollumbin is the first place in Australia to be touched by the sun as it rises each day. Even in winter, we can experience beautiful warm days of 23 degrees.
DAY 2: Uki, Wollumbin and Border Ranges National Park
Start early today with sustenance on-the-go from nearby Crystal Creek Estate (also home to a wonderful plant nursery) and track back via Murwillumbah towards Uki. Turn off at Mount Warning Road, which meanders through dense forest and tall trees, inching higher to the very base of majestic Wollumbin Mount Warning.
If you need more bites or a shot of coffee, stop in at the friendly and tranquil Rainforest Cafe to fuel up from the menu’s homemade flavours and review your upcoming trail plans.
From a map, you’ll see the arc of National Parks that form a mountainous embrace of the Tweed Valley. These mighty ranges were once the outer edges of a towering shield volcano, with Wollumbin Mount Warning the central vent and are home today to a network of lookouts and tracks navigating our scenic highlights.
Continue along Mount Warning Road to the entrance for Wollumbin National Park, a place of great sacred significance to the Bundjalung indigenous people. Meaning ‘cloud catcher’ in local indigenous language, the peak of Wollumbin rises to a towering height of 1,157m above sea level.
Learn about the indigenous history of the park via storyboards at the base of the mountain and listen out for lyrebirds along the easy and peaceful Lyrebird track. Returning along your earlier route, head south towards Uki (grab a quick take-away bite here for lunch later) and along Kyogle Road towards Lillian Rock to start your journey into the Border Ranges National Park and to The Pinnacle Lookout.
Note: The road from here is gravel so only proceed if your vehicle is suitable to the surface. Be sure to allow enough time in your day to travel safely and comfortably – from Uki to The Pinnacle Lookout, allow about 90 minutes’ driving and at least 30 minutes to enjoy the view.
Turn right onto Williams Road and Greegans Road, reaching the Tweed Ranges Scenic Drive, via Blackbutts Lookout, to journey into the Border Ranges National Park and arrive at The Pinnacle Lookout. Bring your camera and take a short walk through forested tracks to be rewarded with extraordinary panoramic views at this iconic spot, taking in the vast Green Caldera and standing high on what was once the rim of an ancient shield volcano. Dramatic escarpments blanketed in trees and vast World Heritage rainforest feature in this breathtaking 360 degree outlook.
For keen walkers and experienced campers with the right gear, continue your adventures from here along walking tracks and at camp spots in the Border Ranges National Park and adjoining Mebbin National Park. Or, if this is nature enough for your day, retrace your path to Uki for a good night’s rest in a cosy B & B or rainforest retreat.
H
BORDER RANGES NATIONAL PARK I
MEBBIN NATIONAL PARK J TYALGUM C
WOLLUMBIN (MT WARNING)
TRAIL 4 |
TAKE CARE: The Tweed has a range of stunning National Park hiking trails to explore! Check the NSW National Parks website ahead of your visit for more details and guidance on exploring our National Parks safely and to check on any current advice or warnings.
D CHILLINGHAM F
E
G
K
UKI BRAY PARK
B TUMBULGUM A
MURWILLUMBAH
14 minutes
22 minutes
3 minutes
30 minutes
29 minutes
8 minutes
42 minutes
36 minutes
12 minutes
1 hour, 17 minutes A Rous River Canoe Trail
B Tweed Regional Museum
C Garden of Light Flutterbies
D Tyalgum Lookout
E Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat Crystal Creek Estate
F Rainforest Café
G Lyrebird track
H Lillian Rock
I Blackbutt Lookout
J The Pinnacle Lookout
K Uki
ORIGIN HOUSE @ ZETA’S COFFEE 113 Blissetts Road, Carool 0407 413 339 | zetascof@gmail.com
zetascoffee.com.au
Origin House is an idyllic farm stay situated just above the coffee trees producing Zeta’s Coffee. Guests can wake to wallabies grazing and beans ripening and wander at leisure through the lush plantation. The architecturally designed house allows views across the Tweed and Gold Coast hinterland to the Pacifi c Ocean. Suite 2, 34-36 Griffi th Street, Coolangatta 0439 554 525 info@tweedgoldcoastprivatetours.com.au
tweedgoldcoastprivatetours.com.au
Tweed Gold Coast Private Tours creates unique tailored experiences and delivers unforgettable moments for our discerning guests. Our stellar experiences take you to the region’s most beautiful locations and undiscovered secret places. Find your unforgettable moments with us at Tweed Gold Coast Private Tours. CELESTIAL DEW
celestialdewoftyalgum.com
Enjoy a divine moment away from home… Celestial Dew Guesthouse is an exquisite guesthouse located within ‘The Heart of the Caldera’, Northern NSW… a hidden treasure at the foothills of majestic Mt. Warning, only 45 minutes from the Gold Coast and under 1 hour
TWEED GOLD COAST PRIVATE TOURS
from Byron Bay.
M O U N T WA R N I N G TO U R S 106 Riverside Drive ,Tumbulgum 0422 405 011 | info@mountwarningtours.com.au
mountwarningtours.com.au
Mount Warning Tours provides amazing river cruises & road tours to naturally beautiful places in the Tweed Valley. Experience fabulous scenery, taste delicious local food & enjoy hand-crafted beverages from locally sourced ingredients, on all of our unique experiences. Explore the Tweed from paddock to plate & rainforest to coast, with Mount Warning Tours.
Mar kets & Events
CONNECT WITH OUR COUNTRY TOWNS AND TALENTED PEOPLE THROUGH A SHARED PASSION FOR LOCAL MARKETS AND GREAT EVENTS!
Time your Tweed hinterland holiday to experience our country markets and inland events, with something happening in the calendar all year round. From farmers markets and makers markets to food, wellness and arts events, you’ll find days full of fun and inspiration to take home. Read on for just a taste of our regular markets and annual events and head to our website visitthetweed.com.au for all the latest details.
M U R W I L L U M B A H FA R M E R S M A R K E T EVERY WEDNESDAY; 7AM TO 11AM
T YA LG U M M A R K E T S
M A K E R S A N D F I N D E R S M A R K E T 3RD SATURDAY; 9AM TO 3PM
U K I P RO D U C E M A R K E T S EVERY SATURDAY; 8AM TO 11AM
C H I L L I N G H A M M A R K E T S
LAST SATURDAY; 9AM TO 3PM
2ND SUNDAY; 8AM TO 1PM
M U R W I L L U M B A H SHOWGROUND MARKETS 4TH SUNDAY; 8AM TO 3PM
THE FOUNDRY MURWILLUMBAH
instagram.com/thefoundrymurwillumbah
The Foundry Murwillumbah is located in the Art Deco town of Murwillumbah in Northern New South Wales. This ‘News, Lifestyle & Gift Emporium’ boasts a carefully curated range of luxurious and versatile gifting options for the entire family – all within a lovingly restored 1908 building. CRYSTAL CREEK ESTATE
1004 Numinbah Road, Crystal Creek 02 6679 1060 | hello@crystalcreekestate.com.au
crystalcreekestate.com.au
Newly renovated, Crystal Creek Estate Cafe & Nursery, on the banks of beautiful Crystal Creek, is the perfect location for breakfast, lunch, great coffee and fresh baked cakes. Our nursery carries a wide range of plants, pots and more. We are family and dog friendly with indoor and outdoor dining.
JANUARY
TWEED WEDDING TRAIL MULTIPLE LOCATIONS For couples planning their special day, don’t miss the Tweed Wedding Trail with over 130 local wedding suppliers and premium venues opening their doors over one day.
tcweddings.com.au
MAY
WINTERSUN 2.0 MURWILLUMBAH A family-friendly festival taking you back to the pre-80’s with old school music on the dance floor, specially picked retro markets, stunning vintage caravans and hundreds of your favourite retro cars.
wintersun2.com.au
MURWILLUMBAH ARTS TRAIL MURWILLUMBAH Art, performance, music and fun! Showcases over 70 contemporary artists from the Tweed and surrounds, with pop-up exhibitions, established galleries, street art, public art and film meshed with performance, tunes and celebration.
themurwillumbaharttrail.com
TASTE TWEED MULTIPLE LOCATIONS A range of free and ticketed events from degustations and a signature dinner to mulled wine and street food at the Kingscliff Night market. There are also cooking masterclasses, twilight cruises and restaurant events.
tastetweed.com.au
For more details on all the events happening in the Tweed go to whatsontweed.com.au
AUGUST
THE O’HEART FESTIVAL TYALGUM Immerse in wellness, sustainability, environment, art and live music throughout the Tyalgum village all weekend. There’s also yoga, qi gong, breathing and movement workshops, films, market stalls and art exhibitions.
oheartfest.com
T YA LG U M M U S I C FESTIVAL TYALGUM Bringing some of Australia’s finest professional and emerging classical musicians to perform in the historic and resonant acoustics of the restored 1908 Tyalgum Community Hall, this long-running and much-loved festival has string quartets, opera recitals, piano duets and pop-up concerts.
tyalgumfestival.com.au
NOVEMBER
MURWILLUMBAH SHOW MURWILLUMBAH Get amongst the Tweed community spirit and enjoy fun for all the family with a side show alley, rodeo, thrill rides, world class horse events, agri-displays, showbags, live music and more.
murwillumbahshow.com.au
T YA LG U M DA N C E SPECTACULAR TYALGUM Australia's highest ranked professional Ballroom, Latin & New Vogue dancers perform at Tyalgum Community Hall for a one night only annual spectacular, hosted by 'Dancing With The Stars' judge Mark Wilson. Pre-show dinner at Flutterbies Cafe.
heartsaflameproductions.com
ECOASIS RESORT
55 Tatyewan Ave, Smiths Creek, Uki 02 6679 5959 | info@ecoasis.com.au
ecoasis.com.au
Six beautiful chalets nestled in the pristine and ancient world of Northern NSW hinterland. Our two storey chalets surround you in understated luxury and comfort, the chalets, although similar in design yet the experience is different from the various parts of the 112 acres that ecOasis resort is situated on. The property is designed so you can experience a closeness with nature. LA ROCHER ECO RETREAT 7 Minto Place, Smiths Creek +61 402 272 727 | gprocher@me.com
larocher.com
Relax and enjoy yourself after your hiking, in our luxury, fully equipped Villas. Ease the aches in a soothing mineral bath while taking in a spectacular sunset. Follow this with sundowners alongside a cosy log fi re. Finally, sink into your sumptuous king bed for a blissful night’s rest in absolute tranquility.
CRYSTAL CREEK RAINFOREST RETREAT
201 Booka Rd, Upper Crystal Creek via Murwillumbah 02 66 791 591 | crystalcreekrr@bigpond.com
ccrr.com.au
A Luxury Rainforest Getaway specialising in honeymoons and romantic escapes. Privacy and seclusion is assured with just 13 luxury Cabins, Bungalows and Lodges individually set on 250 acres of rainforest; with 8 kms of walks. Featuring plunge pools, fi replaces, large double spa baths, fl oor to ceiling windows
and rainforest views.
HOSANNA FARMSTAY
4 Tunnel Road, Stokers Siding 02 6677 9023 | reception@hosannafarmstay.com.au
hosannafarmstay.com.au
Hosanna Farmstay is country hospitality at its best! Head out for the day and enjoy the fresh air, grab a coffee, see the animals and head for a swim in the dam. Or stay a while! We have plenty of campsites for campers, and huts and cabins for glampers.
Hos anna Farms t ay
THE CROFT BED AND BREAKFAST
thecroftbedandbreakfast.com.au
Picturesque, peaceful and private self-contained, air conditioned apartments set on 5 evergreen acres which offer stunning views of Mt. Warning and the Border Ranges. Local, fresh, full breakfast provisions, relaxing private decks and inviting pool, enjoy the idyllic surroundings. Only a short 6 minute easy drive south to Murwillumbah. H I L LC R E S T M O U N TA I N VIEW RETREAT 167 Upper Crystal Creek Road, Upper Crystal Creek 02 6679 1023 | info@hillcrestbb.com.au
hillcrestbb.com.au
Specialists in peaceful, romantic, gourmet dining and child free getaways at beautiful Upper Crystal Creek, Tweed Valley, Northern New South Wales.
A V I E W O F M O U N T WA R N I N G BED & BREAKFAST
28 Glenock Road, Dum Dum 02 6679 5068 | accom@viewofmtwarning.com.au
viewofmtwarning.com.au
A unique purpose-built B & B with stunning views. Come and enjoy peace, privacy and tranquility from your own veranda. Swim in the lap pool. Soak and star gaze from the roof top spa. Breakfast included – cooked to order
offering lots of choices.
W O L L U M B I N PA L M S RAINFOREST RETREAT
112 Mt Warning Road, Mount Warning 02 6679 5063 | stay@wprr.com.au
wollumbinpalms.com
The ultimate indulgent couples escape with private and unique luxury lodges set amongst 65 acres of forest, featuring lakes and streams, gardens, orchards and walking trails. Lodges include a Yurt, Javanese Temple and Earth House with views of Mt Warning including spa, fi replace, a/c, kitchenette, BBQ and plush furnishings.
