Northern Rivers/Tropical New South Wales

Feature supplied by Hillcrest B&B

By Tracy Parker

Nestled right up against the NSW/Queensland Border at Tweed Heads in the North and stretching down the coast and hinterland to just before Byron Bay in the South, the Tweed Shire is not only famous for its unsurpassed beauty, but for its geographical and cultural diversity and terrific climate Ë with a summer mean temperature range of 18 to 30 Celsius (64 to 86F), and winter being a marvellous experience with mean temperatures ranging from 7 to 22 C (45 to 72F), which means log fires at night and t-shirts and shorts during the day. (photo shows sunset over the Tweed River with Mt Warning in the background)

As well as pristine beaches (with the added advantage of no stinging jellyfish in summer like the Queensland beaches), the area boasts the world's second largest extinct volcano. With rivers and creeks meandering through lush green valleys and towering rainforests, the Tweed Shire is not only spectacularly beautiful, but home to 3 of AustraliaÃs World Heritage listed National Parks, with another 2 just over the border in Queensland.

Tweed Heads shares a main high street with Coolangatta, the southernmost tip of the famous Queensland Gold Coast. Due to their close proximity, Tweed Heads and Coolangatta are often referred to as the Twin Towns and are considered a major regional centre, with Coolangatta Airport a hub for domestic carriers.

Located at the mouth of the Tweed River, Tweed/Coolangatta is probably most famous for itÃs surf beaches. All manner of ocean and estuary activities are easily accessible from here. You can rent a small boat to go fishing in the Tweed estuary and Cobaki Lakes, take an offshore deep sea fishing charter, learn to scuba dive or relax with a fully catered river cruise.

The Tweed coast is a 35 km-long chain of pristine beaches with grassy headlands and quiet villages stretching from the mouth of the Tweed River at Fingal, to Wooyung in the south, with the main hub of the area being Murwillumbah - a 30 minute drive south from Tweed Heads.

At Fingal you can see the original Point Danger Lighthouse, Giant's Causeway and a long stretch of beach thatÃs rarely crowded - even in the middle of summer. Next stop is the quiet village of Chinderah, well known for water sports. Further south we arrive at Kingscliff, famous for itÃs myriad of beachfront caf«s and restaurants; with South Kingscliff boasting a patrolled beach in summer, good boat ramps, offshore reefs, and an estuary providing sheltered swimming and fishing.

Cabarita Beach has one of the best surf beaches in the area, sheltered by Norries Headland. Cudgen has itÃs lake, a sanctuary for flora and fauna as well as all forms of aquatic sports. Hastings Point has picnic and barbecue areas, a beach and Cudgera Creek. Pottsville is a long established holiday spot boasting the Bicentennial Leisure Gardens, several walking tracks, picnic areas and a multitude of wildlife. The southernmost beach is Wooyung, where believe it or not, you can enjoy a beach camel ride.

Slightly inland of the coastal strip, as you travel down the Pacific Highway from the Twin Towns, you canÃt help but notice Mt Warning towering over the canefields that line the highway. Mt Warning, where the dawn sun first touches mainland Australia, is the last remnant of the extinct volcanoÃs central core. Named Wollumbin, meaning "Cloud Catcher" by the Bundjalung people who were the inhabitants of the area before European settlement, it stands like a huge reminder that youÃre nearing the hub of the Tweed Shire ~ Murwillumbah.

Just off the Highway, nestled in a small park by the Tweed River is the Murwillumbah Rainforest and Information Centre. ItÃs here you learn that Murwillumbah means "place of many possums", that the volcano is the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere and the second largest in the world, find a fascinating display of how the erupting volcano formed the areaÃs unique topography, as well as stock up on brochures and pamphlets on things to do and see during your stay.

A short drive across the bridge and youÃre in the centre of Murwillumbah, a picturesque town that spreads along the western bank of the Tweed River and up into the hills of the McPherson Ranges. Surrounded, as it is, by the rim of the volcano and bordering the Tweed River, almost every street has magnificent mountain, river and valley views.

Murwillumbah is a place where the lifestyle is relaxed and informal, the people friendly and welcoming and a perfect place to stop for lunch. You can choose from one of the many al fresco caf«s and restaurants in town, or maybe youÃd prefer to dine at one of the several pubs and clubs. Whichever you choose, your meal is bound to include fresh, local produce as well as a friendly chat on the best places to visit during your stay.

Time to find somewhere to base yourself whilst enjoying the many features of the area. There are several motels in Murwillumbah itself, but why not immerse yourself in the area by choosing one of the bed and breakfast homestays just outside of town?

Only 12 minutes from the centre of Murwillumbah youÃll find Hillcrest Bed and Breakfast. Perched atop a hill on 5 landscaped acres, surrounded by a 200 acre cattle farm, and with spectacular views from Mt. Warning in one direction and the stunning Queensland Border Ranges in the other; Hillcrest is an oasis of peace, privacy and jolly good food. You can relax by the solar heated 12 metre salt-water swimming pool, sip on a cool drink and be sight-seeing all at the same time!

After a comfortable nights sleep in your queen size bed itÃs time to enjoy a country style breakfast before taking a closer look at the 4 world-heritage listed National Parks in the area.

Never Never Safaris run one day, small group 4WD Adventure Tours which incorporate all the very best the area has to offer; including a traditional "Aussie" barbeque lunch.

Horse riding more your thing? Then take a 5 minute drive to Chillingham Trail Rides to meet your horse for a 3 hour tour of Lance and SandyÃs 1000 acre cattle farm. The ride includes a stop for traditional Aussie Billy tea and damper by a rainforest creek, followed by a trek through steep banana plantation country up to some of the best views of the caldera.

Your ride finishes with a swim at Lance and SandyÃs huge swimming hole, complete with large waterfall. Catering for a maximum of 6 riders, these rides can be as easy or as advanced as you wish, with horses suitable for all abilities.

Maybe it would be a good idea to have a massage back at Hillcrest in the afternoon to recover from the morningÃs exertions? No problem, a fully qualified masseuse can come any time by appointment, or ask Tracy to mix you one of her famous aromatherapy baths.

How about a 40 minute flight across the ranges and around the tip of Mt Warning in a replica Super Waco bi-plane? Whatever your taste runs to, you're bound to find what you're looking for somewhere in the beautiful Tweed Shire. As well as pristine rainforests, impressive mountains and beautiful countryside, the Tweed area is a haven for local craftspeople and youÃll enjoy discovering the many galleries and craft shops which display their wares. Later on, you can enjoy a round of golf, laze on pristine beaches, dine at a myriad of international restaurants, enjoy one-day river and rainforest cruises, visit the art gallery in Murwillumbah which hosts the richest portrait prize in Australia (the Doug Moran prize), browse the various regular local markets or take a trip to the Gold Coast shopping malls to relieve yourself of some of that hard-earned cash!

Whatever you choose to do, youÃre bound to agree that the Tweed is the undiscovered jewel in the crown of the beautiful Northern Rivers area, and not to be missed on your trip ŒDownunder".

Getting There

Although the Tweed Valley is in NSW and Sydney is that state's capital city, the Tweed is more than ten hours drive North, so international travellers disembarking at Sydney would be better advised to take a connecting flight Coolangatta/Goldcoast airport which is literally 5 minutes over the border to Tweed Heads; or fly directly to Brisbane International airport (less than 1ý hours drive).

Hire cars are readily available from both airports. Alternatively, coach and train connections go from both Brisbane and Sydney straight through to Murwillumbah, where hire cars and taxis are readily available.

Tweed Shire Festivals

Mid December to Mid January Doug Moran Portrait Prize Exhibition

February Jet Sprint Boat Races

April Tweed Home and Lifestyle Expo

May Kingscliff Food and Jazz Festival

May Mooball Fish Œn Nana Festival

June Wintersun Rock and Roll Nostalgia Festival

June Tweed Valley Cultural & Country Harvest Festival

July Tyalgum Diggers Rodeo

August Tweed Valley Banana Festival and Harvest Week

September Tyalgum Classical Music Festival

September Rainforest Week

October Kingscliff Main Street Festival

November Tweed River Agricultural Show

November Tumbulgum Water Ski Carnival

December Northern Boat Harbour Dragon Boat Races

December Caldera First Light Festival

Clive and Tracy Parker
Hillcrest Bed & Breakfast

hillcrestbb@yahoo.com

Tel: +61 2 6679 1023