Murwillumbah and Surrounding Areas

Meaning "place of many possums", Murwillumbah is the central town in the Tweed Shire on the far North East coast of New South Wales, Australia. It has long been recognised as the seat of local government and the major service provider to the many and varied rural industries, communities and attractions of the Tweed region.

Accommodation

Crystal Creek

Chillingham/td>

Border Ranges

Activities

Murwillumbah together with surrounding villages, including Crystal Creek, Uki, Tyalgum, Chillingham, Tumbulgum, Burringbar, Stokers Siding and others makes up the heart of the Tweed hinterland on the far North coast of NSW, Australia.  Murwillumbah serves a resident population in excess of 15,000 people with a total catchment of nearly double this.

Murwillumbah is 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 world's largest extinct shield volcano and bordering the Tweed River, almost every street has magnificent mountain, river and valley views - most famously, Mt Warning, the eroded central chamber of the world's largest extinct shield volcano and the spot where the dawn sun first touches the east coast of Australia.  

As well as being the gateway to five of Australia's World Heritage listed national parks, Murwillumbah is home to the World Heritage Rainforest Centre - a visitor information centre which also houses a National Parks and Wildlife Service office.

Murwillumbah is a place where the lifestyle is relaxed and informal, the people friendly and welcoming and a perfect place to stop for lunch on your tour of the region. You can choose from one of the many al fresco cafés and restaurants in town, or maybe you’d 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.

At night you are similarly spoilt for dining choice in Murwillumbah - from excellent steaks at one of the many pubs, to more refined dining at restaurants such as the Balcony for contemporary Australian cuisine, or the Little Malaya Palace for Asian dining and a fine wine selection.

During your stay you should also check out the Regent Cinema. One of only 2 large screen movie theatres left in Australia, a visit to the Regent is a step back in time. With bean bags instead of front stalls and the remaining seating harking back to an era gone by.

Although a quaint, family-run cinema, the Regent shows up to the minute block-buster movies as well as local and art-house movies. To top it all off they make the best organic pizza in the country!

Whilst it's advisable to book your pizza in advance to allow plenty of time to finish before your movie, if time is short then you are actually allowed to take your meal into the movies with you! Of course you don't have to see a movie to enjoy a pizza at the Regent so be sure to pay a visit during your stay in Murwillumbah.

Ten minutes drive from Murwillumbah is the beautiful Crystal Creek area. Accommodation just outside Murwillumbah ranges from bed and breakfasts to luxury self contained cottages, tourism award winning bungalows or a 4WD campsite. Crystal Creek Fruit Barn and the Tennis Courts are only a few minutes from the best range of tourist accommodation in Upper Crystal Creek Road, which is a right hand turn just past Palmdale Nursery and Miniature Horse Stud. The stud is open for tours by arrangement, with tractor train trips around the property to see the dozens of miniature horses, cows and donkeys. A gift shop and café are also provided and visitors can feed the wild turtles who live in Crystal Creek just by the cafe.

About 5 minutes further on you come to the pretty village of Chillingham ~ here you'll find Tweed Banana Cabana and Chillingham Store ~ which truly is a step back in time. Enjoy a hamburger or cream tea at Chillingham Store, or tour the bush-tucker gardens and enjoy a cold drink, ice-cream or chocolate coated frozen banana at the Banana Cabana!

Murwillumbah offers business and investment opportunities in agri-business, agri-tourism, agri-forestry, industry and commerce. Each one of the villages also offers its own unique lifestyle and opportunities.

Being part of the "Cellulose Valley" initiative of the Research and Development Program at Southern Cross University also provides a great deal of potential for the rural areas surrounding Murwillumbah, with the exploration of possibilities in growing medicinal, perfumed and culinary herbs.

The location, climate and relaxed lifestyle are seen as qualities much sought after by tourists, investors and people who appreciate the ambiance of the Valley with its laidback lifestyle.

With clean air, plentiful supply of water, excellent educational facilities, mild climate, security, proximity to airports, major resorts and shopping centres as well as ready access to the cities of Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Murwillumbah (and its surrounds) is truly The Jewel in the Crown of the Northern Rivers.