The ultimate itinerary to spend 72 hours in The Tweed

Spring is here and families are dreaming of long beach days, cute brunch spots, racing around playgrounds and bike adventures. There is no better place to fulfil your holiday wish list than in The Tweed, a nature-filled region bursting with beach and river fun. The Tweed is situated between the Gold Coast and Ballina and about an hour and a half drive from Brisbane. Here is the best way to spend 72 hours in The Tweed, filled with sunshine, yummy snacks and plenty of smiles.

Day 1

Morning

Start your day with breakfast or brunch at the brand new Dayo Cafe, open 7am to 2pm. Right on the Tweed River waterfront, the café has an Asian-fusion menu, creative drinks and bright retro decor inspired by 90s Filipino homes. Grab a picnic-style table overlooking the water and try the K-Pop Chicken Waffle or Dayo’s hot take on an Eggs Benedict; the benny-san, served on fluffy milk bread, topped with spicy sesame and herbs with your pick of pork chashu or teriyaki mushrooms. There’s a kids’ menu and it’s pet-friendly too!

Whales and playgrounds

After tummies are filled, head to Point Danger Lookout, just eight minutes away. Explore the Captain Cook Memorial and Point Danger Lighthouse, and keep an eye out for humpback whales breaching and tail-slapping from May to October and dolphins frolicking year-round.

Back down the hill is Livi’s Place Goorimahbah, created by the Touched by Olivia foundation. Kids can explore climbing towers with slides, cross swaying bridges and engage with interactive play equipment. It is a very immersive park that will keep them entertained for hours. This Tweed Coast playground is located right on the foreshore at Jack Evans Boat Harbour, so parents can appreciate harbour views while the kids play.

Lunch

Don’t spend too long on the double flying fox, however, lunch awaits at George’s Deli in Kingscliff. The deli creates the best American-style sandwiches and toasties in The Tweed. You’ll also find great coffee, tasty doughnuts and lovely staff. Eat in or take your feast across to the beach for an ocean-side picnic.

Afternoon

George’s Deli is right opposite Kingscliff Beach, which is patrolled from late September to April each year. Spend the afternoon building sandcastles, playing in the surf and enjoying the feeling of freedom that a holiday brings.

Keep reading:

• The 17 best things to do in The Tweed with kids
• How to spend a weekend on the Tweed River with kids

Day 2

Morning

Start the day right with a coffee from Thirteen Coffee, caffeinating parents from 5:30am every day. Once your coffee order is done, you can peruse the selection of freshly-made pies and pastries that pair perfectly with cappuccinos and babyccinos. The café is on-site at Mate & Matts farm shop. While you are here, pick up fresh fruit and sourdough for the day ahead, and local honey to take home.

Midmorning 

Hire bikes from Better By Bike at Murwillumbah Railway Station and cycle along the Northern Rivers Rail Trail, you can hire kids seats, kids trailers and eBikes. Ride over bridges and through tunnels, and you will come upon the Tweed Regional Gallery. Entry is free with daily guided tours at 11:30am. You can enjoy seasonal exhibitions, free drop-in school holiday art making activities for kids. Continue on for 16 bridges and the impressive 524-metre Burringbar Tunnel.

Northern Rivers Rail Trail

The 58-kilometre trail (24km one way) takes around five hours return, calculated with two 30-minute rest breaks plus a one-hour lunch stop. If you only want to cycle one direction, or if little legs tire, Better By Bike will shuttle you back to the store (for an additional fee).

Afternoon

After your cycle, head to Farm & Co, a working farm in Cudgen, for late lunch and more family fun. Meet Hank, the farm’s enormous pig, and chickens and cows. Kids can climb in the activity area, play lawn games and wander through the glowing sunflower field. The acclaimed restaurant serves paddock-to-plate fare straight from its onsite farm, as well as from local and sustainable producers. The restaurant is open for lunch from Thursday to Sunday, so make sure you plan ahead.

Day 3

Morning

Make your way to Tropical Fruit World, a 200-acre eco farm where families can taste exotic fruits fresh from the orchard. Book the full farm tour to take a tractor tour of the property to taste dragon fruit, papayas, mangoes and chocolate fruit and meet friendly residents like kangaroos, donkeys, cows and miniature goats. Then the adventure tour continues with a wildlife boat cruise to a recreation precinct featuring a playground, mini golf, a flying fox and an immersive Indigenous bush tucker experience.

Lunch

Tropical Fruit World’s on-site Plantation Café is open on weekends and offers moreish kids lunchboxes with snacks grown on the farm. Parents can enjoy beautifully presented bowls and burgers. The best experience though, is ordering an ice cream from the Farm Fruit Ice Creamery, where kids can create their own fruit ice cream using farm produce. Make a choice, then the fruits are combined with ice cream and added to a waffle cone.

Time for one last activity before heading home? Cool off in the clear water at Cudgen Creek. The calm water is perfect for splashing about, kayaking, fishing or stand-up paddle boarding. Locals love Little Beach in the creek, tucked away behind the white rescue tower. Visit at high tide for the clearest water.

From whale watching and bike rides to creek swims and sunflower strolls, The Tweed is brimming with simple joys and big adventures that bring families together. With every day offering something new to discover, it’s the kind of destination that keeps kids smiling and parents relaxed long after the holiday ends.

This article was produced in partnership with The Tweed and is a Holidays with Kids digital exclusive. Be the first to see more exclusive online content by subscribing to the enewsletter here.

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