The Tweed Coast is a place where holidays take you from endless beaches and tranquil waterways to luscious hinterland. Relax, unwind and immerse yourself in beauty and nature in this sub-tropical region of the NSW North Coast.
How to get to the Tweed, NSW
Just over the New South Wales border, the Tweed Region is a 45-minute drive from the heart of the Gold Coast and 90 minutes from Brisbane. Gold Coast Airport is just 6km from Tweed Heads. Ballina/Byron Gateway Airport also recieves flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Newcastle and Dubbo.
What to do in the Tweed with kids
Adventures on the water
Water adventures rule here, with rivers, creeks and patrolled surf beaches. Fishing, kayaking, and stand-up paddle boarding are great ways to explore the great outdoors.
Kids can become Junior Adventure Gurus (JAG) with the energetic and inspiring ‘Chief Fun Officer’ and Watersport Guru founder, Tim Jack Adams. The JAG two-hour nature play program runs every Sunday from 9am until 11am and mid-week during school holidays, with stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkelling, creek explorations, outdoor education and fun team challenges.
Hosanna Farmstay
Head to Hosanna Farmstay in the hinterland to feed the animals, watch the chicks hatch, or take a swim in the dam. Bring a picnic lunch or order local produce from the cafe. Make sure to book ahead for your Day Visit Pass and the hay bale farm tour, and grab an Adventure Passport at check-in to keep everyone busy with fun challenges.
You can also ease into daily farm life with an overnight stay in Hosanna’s range of accommodation, with options from simple tent camping to rustic wood cabins or the luxurious new Homestead, which sleeps up to 20 people.
Cycle the Tweed Coast
One of the best ways to explore with kids is on bicycles – and the Tweed’s extensive cycleways from Tweed Heads to Pottsville make it easy and safe to do just that. For a tree change, head inland to explore the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.
Local bike hire stores include Murwillumbah Cycles, Kingscliff Bike Hire or Kool Bikes, if your accommodation doesn’t rent them out.
Tropical Fruit World
Families are invited to indulge in all the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of a vast working farm at Tropical Fruit World. Ride on a tractor train, feed the animals, spot wildlife on a boat cruise and taste plenty of exotic fruit on a guided tour. There are more than 500 varieties of fruit grown over the 70ha farm, so drop by the market and café to tuck in (and pick up even more local produce for the road).
Family accommodation in the Tweed, NSW
For a good old-fashioned family holiday that has all the comforts of home in sweet onsite cabins, try one of the region’s holiday parks, from Tweed Heads and Kingscliff to Hastings Point and Pottsville.
You’ll find award-winning spots packed with fun for the whole family, from splash-worthy pools and waterslides to massage and day spa options, onsite licensed cafes or easy walking access to the Tweed’s fabulous eateries.
Tweed Holiday Parks Pottsville South
Tweed Holiday Parks Pottsville South is perfectly situated beside the year-round calm waters of Mooball Creek. It’s just a short stroll from the beaches and Pottsville shops. A popular fishing spot for locals, the creek is safe for swimming and stand-up paddle boarding.
There are accommodation options to suit every budget with 11 cabins, 3 ensuite sites, 69 tourist sites and 12 tent sites. The family cabins have two bedrooms, a full kitchen, reverse cycle air-conditioning and, best of all, a deck overlooking the water, 100m from Mooball Creek.
The Park is well laid out, with features including a camp kitchen, barbecue, laundry, toilets and showers, Wi-Fi and access to a beach wheelchair. Self-catering is the go, made simpler with an IGA a five-minute walk away.
Spacious tourist sites are ideal for caravans, motorhomes, campervans and 5th wheelers, equipped with double concrete slab, individual power, water and sullage. Bikes can be hired from the office, so don’t worry about bringing your own.
Tasman Holiday Parks - North Star
Located at Hastings Point, Tasman Holiday Parks – North Star creates a fantastic experience for families all year round. On weekends and school holidays, kids can join the supervised Neptune’s Castle Kids’ Club while parents spend time in the adults-only retreat.
Its Marine Discovery Centre adds an educational element to your beach holiday, teaching kids how they can play a role in protecting the marine environment for future generations. There’s also a fantastic water park with cannons, a tipping bucket and two impressive slides. The Resort has powered and ensuite campsites, apartments, cottages and villas.
Where to eat in the Tweed with kids
There’s a terrific selection of eateries on the Tweed Coast, including bakeries, cafes and pizza bars. If your tastebuds run to delicious Japanese, head to Izakaya Potts. Head to Cubby Bakehouse at Chinderah for excellent coffee and a choice of mouth-watering sweet and savoury pastries and bakery items. Or book a babysitter for a memorable night without the kids at Halcyon House’s award-winning, hatted restaurant, Paper Daisy, under provenance-focused executive chef Andrew Milford.
Opening image: Surfing at Tweed Heads
