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Eat, Drink, Stay and Play in Tweed Heads

20 January, 2022

Boat on river at tweed heads

The region’s namesake has a down-to-earth charm and understated beauty often overlooked for its beachfront neighbours, but this riverside town offers fishing and river cruising and an evolving café culture that’s hard to beat. Tweed Heads is the community hub for shopping and business, while still managing to avoid the hustle and bustle of its northerly neighbour, making it authentically Tweed. Adjoining its “twin town” Coolangatta, the region was greatly impacted by border restrictions as these suburbs are intrinsically linked and now its Tweed Heads time to shine. 

We say welcome back Queensland and highlight this hip hood’s secret gems so visitors and locals can rediscover the beauty and brilliance of Tweed Heads. 

Here’s a locals guide to where to eat, drink, stay and play in Tweed Heads. 

EAT

Start your day in Bay Street with coffee and pastries from renowned artisan bakers Bread Social. Swing by their latest enterprise, Rob Roy Deli & Drinks, a boutique bottle shop and delicatessen and stock up on all your essentials for a gourmet stay in The Tweed. There are plenty of nearby cafes and coffee spots to keep you caffeinated such as Hymn Coffee, Next Door Espresso and Baked at Ancora or seek out Ground Control for freshly roasted coffee straight from the roastery. 

If you fancy a side of water views with your meal, enjoy casual fish and chips at Get Hooked, great pub fare can be found at Ivory Waterside or decadent farm fresh oysters and seafood at The Oyster Shed overlooking beautiful Birds Bay. 

Save room for delicious dining at Gallura Italian, this upscale restaurant specialises in cuisine from the Island of Sardinia and the Italian coastline with a focus on fresh local seafood and handmade pasta. Bellissimo! 

Image: Next Door Espresso
green breakfast dish at next door espresso in Tweed Heads

DRINK

Taste a local drop at Pickled Pig, a local craft brewery specialising in German brewing style with no preservatives, chemical-free, vegan-friendly and gluten-free options. A range of non-alcoholic products is available too so there is something for everyone. 

New distillery Alfred Wiley is crafting local gin showcasing a unique blend of East Coast botanicals from their new Tweed Heads distillery. Small batch rum and whisky are on the way as well as a shiny new cellar door tasting room coming soon. Until then, purchase online or from local boutique bottle shops. 

Pull up a stool alongside the Marina at The Ivory Waterside or if Clubs are more your scene, check out Twin Towns, Seagulls or the new look Club Tweed which boasts a luxe cocktail lounge with Margaritas and Espresso Martinis on tap! 

Image: The Ivory Waterside
marina view

PLAY

There is plenty of family fun to be had in Tweed Heads from educational experiences to outdoor activities and river tours to connect you with nature and enjoy all Tweed Heads has to offer.  

Visit Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre for a Bundjalung welcome to the region and an opportunity to learn more about local Aboriginal culture. 

Take to the water and hire a stand-up paddleboard, kayak or paddleboat from Watersports Tweed, located behind the Tweed Heads Visitor Information Centre at Jack Evans Boat Harbour. Bring a sense of adventure on a Catch-a-Crab tour as you cruise spectacular scenery and enjoy pelican feeding, yabbie pumping and trapping for live crabs. Choose from a host of tours exploring the region with Tweed Eco Cruises including their popular Tweed River and Rainforest lunch cruise. Grab a group of friends and book a fishing charter with Kyle from Cushy Fishing Charters. Their experienced crew welcomes beginners up to experienced anglers. If you’re still feeling sporty, don’t forget barefoot bowls at Club Tweed or a round of golf at Coolangatta Tweed Golf Club. 

There are plenty of indoor activities to enjoy family fun in The Tweed, especially if you’re searching for what to do in Tweed Heads on a rainy day. Try Kidz Biz Fun Centre offering the region’s biggest slides as well as VR and gaming experiences. Next door you’ll find Epic Skate Rink, the only roller-skating rink on the Gold and Tweed Coast. Nearby Tabatinga offers a rainforest-themed children’s entertainment centre with age-appropriate attractions including mini-golf, bumper cars and toddler play area for children up to 12 years of age. For some old school fun, check out Coolangatta Tweed Tenpin and enjoy a game of tenpin bowling in all its retro glory! 

Image: Tweed Eco Cruises

SHOP

You’ll find big brand department stores in Tweed City and Tweed Mall as well everything for your home or recreational activities in the industrial park. If you’re seeking out some boutique options, try KDTY Décor & Design for beautiful handmade artisan products including local Aboriginal art. You’ll also find the Tweed Farmers Market on 1st & 3rd Saturdays and the Tweed Twilight Market every 2nd Friday at Jack Evans Boat Harbour. 

Image: Tweed Farmers Market
Fresh produce in basket

STAY

You’ll find a choice of accommodation to suit your taste and budget in Tweed Heads, kicking off with quality motels such as Cooks Endeavour Motor Inn, and Tweed Harbour Motor Inn. 

If the camping life is for you, we have Tweed Holiday Parks, Big 4 Tweed Billabong, Pyramid Holiday Park, Colonial Tweed Holiday Park all offering a range of sites, cabins and facilities. Gather a group and hit the open waters with a houseboat from Boyds Bay Houseboat Holidays or Berger Houseboat Holidays. 

For upscale hotel and apartment-style accommodation consider Tweed Ultima or the beautifully renovated Mantra Twin Towns. Wherever you choose, make Tweed Heads your base and explore all that The Tweed has to offer. 

Image: Big 4 Tweed Billabong Holiday Park 

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.