Murwillumbah

With rolling green fields dotted with grazing cows, seemingly endless plantations of sugarcane and bananas, and the dramatic backdrop of Wollumbin Mount Warning, Murwillumbah is lush North Coast NSW hinterland at its very best. Set in the middle of an extinct volcanic caldera, the sleepy village is the gateway to The Tweed region’s greatest cultural and natural attractions, from the world’s largest expanse of tropical rainforest to world-class galleries.

Cattle grazing in the Tweed Valley, North Coast

Tweed Valley, Murwillumbah

Natural selection

You’ll be surrounded by nature in Murwillumbah, with Wollumbin National Park to the southwest and Nightcap National Park to the south. The towering undulations of Wollumbin Mount Warning (the remnant vent of an ancient volcano) are of great sacred significance to the Bundjalung Indigenous people. Rising to a towering height of 1,157 metres above sea level, it is a much-loved landmark by photographers and artists alike. Nightcap is also popular among adventure seekers drawn to the sheer rock pinnacles and cooling waterfalls.

Aerial overlooking Minyon Falls in Nightcap National Park, Whian Whian in Lismore Area, North Coast

Minyon Falls, Nightcap National Park

Another place to cool down is Clarrie Hall Dam, located on a tributary of the Tweed River – which you can explore on a rainforest cruise – packed with Australian bass and surrounded by parkland and picnic areas. It’s within easy reach of the 18-hole course at Murwillumbah Golf Club, which enjoys one of the most scenic settings in the Tweed.

Clarrie Hall Dam - Credit: Jewels Lynch, Tweed Tourism Group Australia

Arts & culture

If the lush tropical grounds of the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre don’t win you over, then the dynamic program of permanent and touring exhibitions spotlighting regional artists will. The space pays homage to one of the country’s most celebrated painters (Margaret grew up in this part of the state), recreating her famous home studio and showcasing a great number of her works.

Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre - Credit: Ryan Fowler, Tweed Shire Council

Or visit the gallery's annexe at Gallery DownTown, part of Murwillumbah’s M|Arts Precinct for emerging artists, housed in an industrial warehouse replete with shipping containers for pop-up exhibits. Before you leave, pick up a self-guided walking map detailing the town’s impressive collection of Art Deco buildings. Meanwhile, Lundberg Gallery opened its doors in May 2022 and is now showing a yearly selection of contemporary exhibitions.

M|Arts Precinct - Credit: Mitchell Schultz, ZASK Pty Ltd

To market, to market

The volcanic soil of the region nurtures bountiful produce, which you can sample at the weekly Murwillumbah Farmers' Market (held every Wednesday). Stallkeepers here sell everything from organic eggs to freshly baked sourdough, olive oil to seasonal fruit and vegetables. Things get busy at the Makers and Finders Market, held in leafy Knox Park on the third Saturday of the month. Food abounds, alongside stalls laden with handmade jewellery, ceramics, art and fashion, with live entertainment on the side.

Makers & Finders Market Murwillumbah - Credit: Curl Events

Makers & Finders Market Murwillumbah at Knox Park - Credit: Curl Events

Every November, night rodeos, fireworks, agricultural displays and rides for the kids consume the town, at the Murwillumbah Show, which spotlights and celebrates the traditions that make country Australia so vibrant.

Friends enjoying an early morning kayak tour on Tweed River with scenic views of Mount Warning, North Coast

Mount Warning Tours, Tumbulgum

Eat, drink & stay

Be sure to treat yourself to some local wining and dining. Head to Ventura Brewing to sample Australia's first artisanal alcoholic kombucha, Bistro Livi for European-inspired share plates and Tweed River House for fine dining on the banks of the Tweed River.

Tweed River House - Credit: Sally Singh Photography

If you wish to linger longer, accommodation ranges from caravan and camping sites to a riverside youth hostel, motels and luxurious retreats amid the rainforest.

Getting there

The fastest way to get to Murwillumbah is to fly into the Gold Coast Airport, just a 30-minute drive to the northeast, or the Ballina Byron Gateway Airport, an hour to the south. If you’re a fan of road trips, the drive from Sydney takes around nine hours, following the Legendary Pacific Coast route. From Brisbane, the drive is less than two hours.