8 ways to treat your tribe in the Tweed

1. TAKE-HOME CLAY CREATIONS – STONE STUDIO

A fun new addition to beachside Kingscliff is Stone Studio, a nifty space that combines barista-made coffee and locally sourced baked goods (we hear the Mandarin & Macadamia cake is a must) with a vibrant pottery studio that’s open for workshops and classes for children and adults.

Sign the kids up for a Clay Mate’s workshop to create a trinket pot and learn basic techniques, or try the Clay Monster option to unleash some creative vibes. Each workshop is 1.5 hours and includes air dry clay, tools and accessories along with a paint set and stickers to dress up creations once set. As you wait, relax in the studio cafe, sampling some of those tasty sweet treats or fresh, gourmet sandwiches.

There are also take-away pottery kits available with all that your little makers will need to create at their own pace, following easy how-to videos.

2. JUNIOR FARMERS IN THE MAKING – TROPICAL FRUIT WORLD

Springtime is prime at Tropical Fruit World in the Tweed Valley, not just for the fragrant flowering of endless trees and plants (over 500 species grown on-site!) but also for the myriad ways to indulge children in all the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of a vast working fruit farm.

Join a guided Farm Tour to discover orchards full of fruit, sample exotic flavours, meet farm animals and take a boat cruise through a bushland valley. Delve deeper with a series of Intimate Farm Workshops, such as a unique spin on the retro craft of tie-dye, using pigments from fruit and veggies to create natural dyes before your eyes. Or inspire future green thumbs on a Little Farmers Fruit Forager Tour, learning about fruits from all over the world, when to pick and how to ripen, as well as harvesting orchard favourites to take home and share.

As the kids have some forage fun, parents can relax, shop or dine in the Plantation Store, Market or Cafe.

3. SWAP SCREEN TIME FOR GREEN (AND BLUE!) TIME – WATERSPORTS GURU

Escape the everyday and book your kids in for some sea air, green landscapes and immersive marine time on a Junior Adventure Guru morning with aquatic experts, Watersports Guru.

This 2-hour nature-based program will have your kin mixing up the waterplay between paddle-boarding, kayaking, snorkelling and exploring, all in a safe and supportive team setting. Add in a focus on life skills, environmental care and water safety and you have the perfect balance between fun times and valuable lessons (with guides that are fully qualified in activities, safety and first aid).

The junior program runs every Sunday from 9am to 11am and also mid-week during school holidays.

4. SPLASH IT INTO THE PARK – TWEED REGIONAL AQUATIC CENTRE

When it’s time to cool off, chill out or learn to swim make tracks to TRAC – the Tweed Regional Aquatic Centre, a training and leisure aquatic park that welcomes local and visiting families alike to jump in and splash about.

Head to TRAC’s main base in Murwillumbah with indoor and outdoor pools, a hydrotherapy option and shaded toddler play pool, as well as a grassed area to recline and refuel at the on-site cafe or with your own BYO nibbles. Check ahead for any changes to opening times and current capacities and note online bookings are required.

5. MAKE LEARNING MAGNIFICENT – TWEED REGIONAL MUSEUM

We’re putting the ‘muse’ in museum these school holidays with a great way to blend education and engagement at the Tweed Regional Museum.

With wonderful spaces in both Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads, and free entry to each centre, you can keep the kids happy these school holidays with each visiting child receiving an enticingly named ‘My Museum’s Most Magnificent Activity Bag’. What fun!

The bags contain a swag of free activities and, the best news – there’s a different activity bag at each branch – so your free visits result in double the fun!

6. FREE-RANGE FAMILIES! HEAD FOR THE HILLS – HOSANNA FARMSTAY

If it’s fresh air and farm days you’re seeking, head inland and exhale at Hosanna Farmstay, located near Stokers Siding in the beautiful Tweed hinterland. Combine the slower pace of country life and the fun of meeting farmyard animals and you’ve got a great day out for the whole family.

Book a Day Visit Pass to immerse in farm life – feed the resident animals, take a swim in the dam, bring a picnic lunch and graze contentedly under shady trees. Be sure to book in for a Hosanna Farm Tour for a good old-fashioned hay bale ride around the property or try the Adventure Passport to work through some fun farm challenges.

To truly ease into farm life, stay overnight! Hosanna has a range of accommodation options from simple tent camping to glamping tents or rustic wood cabins.

7. COUNTRY MARKET TOWN WITH A BIG HEART – TYALGUM

The sweet town of Tyalgum, found at the northern foothills of Wollumbin Mount Warning in the Tweed hinterland, is a magical place to immerse in the best of creative country life with plenty on offer for the whole tribe.

Especially these school holidays as the vibrant Tyalgum Village Market springs to life with a new and expanded footprint (Saturday 26 September). Market-goers can browse La Marketta Lane and a new space known as Stump Corner.

Artisans, craftspeople, small batch food and drink makers, local farm produce, garden plants, eco-life goods and live music await, along with children’s storytelling sessions, tasty treats at The General Store and authentic gelato, fresh-made in town.

8. ART PLAY GALORE FOR CREATIVE KIDS – TWEED REGIONAL GALLERY & MARGARET OLLEY ART CENTRE

Inspire creativity in your tribe with a visit to one of Australia’s best regional galleries, right here in the Tweed.

Set in Murwillumbah, the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre (MOAC) has a range of drop-in activities for children including the fun MOAC Kid’s Guide, digital artworks and symphony on the Margaret Olley Art Centre iPads and an online ART PLAY program for families.

There are also a host of various exhibitions to browse, the must-see Margaret Olley Art Centre and the tempting onsite cafe, Gallery by Bacaro.

The Gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm and entry is free. Online bookings are essential for one of three timed sessions per day.

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE IN STORE!

Add more to our essential Tweed family holiday list and make the most of your family time by booking a tour or two during your stay. Snorkel beside green sea turtles, catch crabs on a river tour, join a SUP class on calm waters, take a gallery tour or book in for a surf lesson.

EVERYONE CAN REST EASY IN THE TWEED

Whether seeking a luxury home, roomy apartment, country escape or fun farm-stay, you’ll find the ideal spot to rest everyone’s head here in the Tweed. If you haven’t yet booked your family holiday stay, jump online now to check out our current hot deals and search for your ideal overnight holiday escape!