There’s a reason The Tweed is home to Surfing Australia and it’s not just the World Surf Reserve at Cabarita Beach. With 37km of pristine coastline, there’s almost always a spot to catch a wave. For beginners, take one step at a time with a one-on-one lesson with Belem from Salty Girls Surf School or book a session with Josh at In2Surf. Regularly hitting the waves and looking to take things to the next level? Then a Surfing Australia High Performance Centre 4-day camp is for you. Whether you’re donning your wetsuit every morning or you’re falling off more times than you’re standing up, The Tweed has a wave to suit all skill levels.
Image by Ebony Restall Photography
Walk to Fingal Heads headland and you’ll spy Cook Island Nature Reserve, a small, rocky island home to hundreds of turtles. Reaching the island is just a short boat ride from Fingal Head with Watersports Guru or nearby Chinderah with Cooly Eco Adventures. Geared up for this outdoor adventure with flippers, snorkels and wetsuits, you’ll find yourself diving into the cool blue waters in no time. Expect to see colourful species of fish, grey nurse sharks, eagle rays and, of course, plenty of green, loggerhead and hawkesbill turtles in these feeding grounds. If you’re lucky, you may also spy leopard sharks and manta rays or even hear the sounds of passing humpbacks.
Walk, ride or roll the Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail. This 24km nature trail traversing through scenic hinterland, over and alongside historic bridges and through repurposed railway tunnels. Start your journey at Murwillumbah and hire an e-bike and picnic basket with Pedals & Picnics and spend the day pedaling along the trail with ease. Pop into charming hinterland towns along the way for specialty coffee, unique finds and friendly faces. Find yourself a shady spot to set up and enjoy your picnic lunch. Remember to reapply your We Are Feel Good Inc Kakadu Plum Sunscreen Lotion SPF50 every 2 hours to keep protected.
From hinterland hikes in world-heritage-listed rainforests to calm, coastal beachside walks, The Tweed is home to several beautiful walks to experience this Summer. Starting early, take the short, 1.2km return walk to Fingal Head Lighthouse to watch the sun rise over the ocean and keep your eyes peeled for the pod of local dolphins. For a longer outdoor adventure, head to Brindle Creek Walking Track in the Border Ranges National Park for a 6km return, 2 – 3 hour hike through ancient Antarctic Beech trees, clear creeks, lush diversity and stunning waterfalls.
Explore the 5 best walks in The Tweed.
While taking a dip in our rivers, creeks and beaches is easy to access, these two secret wild swimming spots are worth the outdoor adventure. For a quick dip, head to Mount Jerusalem National Park setting course for Unicorn Falls. This 4.2km return, 1 – 2 hours walk is of moderate grade offering a refreshing swim at the end. If 4.2km is a bit too far for you, drive past the carpark (coming from Uki) and take the next left. There is a secondary carpark just a couple hundred metres from the waterfall. The second wild swimming spot is Evans Falls, located along Brindle Creek Walking Track. Evans Falls is a delicate waterfall, cascading softly over rocks into a small pool surrounded by lush vegetation, giving it a gentle, fairy-tale quality. This waterfall is best viewed after rainfall but they are charming year-round. Check out our Brindle Creek Waterfall Guide here.
Before swimming in our National Parks please wipe off any make-up, creams or sunscreen. Remember to reapply after to stay protected!
The Tweed boasts expansive waterways from coast to hinterland with a number of tranquil creeks offering a safe space for outdoor adventures. Cudgen Creek in Kingscliff is home to Watersports Guru where you can hire kayaks and stand up paddleboards to explore the crystal clear waters at your own pace. In Pottsville, set up on the banks of Mooball Creek with a good book and your beach umbrella for a lazy day in the sun, jumping in the fresh, calm waters when it’s time cool off.
From sunrise hikes to wild swims, find your Feel Good Summer in The Tweed and stay protected with We Are Feel Good Inc.’s Australian-made, broad-spectrum sunscreen.
Inspiration
We wish to acknowledge the Ngandowal and Minyungbal speaking people of the Bundjalung Country, in particular the Goodjinburra, Tul-gi-gin and Moorung – Moobah clans, as being the traditional owners and custodians of the land and waters within the Tweed Shire boundaries. We also acknowledge and respect the Tweed Aboriginal community’s right to speak for its Country and to care for its traditional Country in accordance with its lores, customs and traditions.
