While the Gold Coast is certainly popular among Aussies, the Tweed Region that’s easily accessible from here often stays lesser-known. However, this little area has so much to offer! From exciting crab-catching cruises, artsy precincts and even a whole farm full of exotic fruit to try, the Tweed Region’s experiences are wild and never-thought-of!
So, here’s a completely new list of activities to explore in this humble destination. Read on to know why you should add the Tweed Region to your bucket list activities in Gold Coast:
For the unique crab catching cruises
A crab-catching cruise on the Tweed River is a hands-on experience like no other! These Tweed River cruises departing from Tweed Heads give you the once-in-a-lifetime chance of catching crabs with your own hands! So, get ready to roll up your sleeves, venture into the shallow waters and sandy bars and get messy!
Pump yabbies and pull up crab pots to see if you’ve caught anything. Listen to the insightful commentary to get a deeper understanding of crabbing and yabbie pumping and try to figure out what you’ve caught – a Mud crab, a Spanner Crab, a Sand Crab, or something else! And the satisfaction of being able to savour dishes made from your catch of the day – it’s really quite special.
For a thrilling snorkelling-with-turtles opportunity
Just 600m from the Fingal Head shore is the Cook Island Aquatic Reserve where you can slip below the surface and snorkel with turtles! You can get up close and personal with the majestic Green Turtles that swim in the colourful coral reefs surrounding Cook Island. You might spot cheeky Clown Fish hiding between the corals, a crustacean or a ray fish floating past or even a Wobbegong. This tour definitely rates as an experience of a lifetime, leaving you in awe of the Tweed Region and its natural beauty. Additionally, while this is a year-round thrill, the months of June-October offer the added bonus of Humpback whale spotting.
For exploring an entire building dedicated to art
M-Arts Precinct in Murwillumbah is where artists and art lovers come together to eat, drink, shop and create. A collection of stunning artists and makers studios in renovated shipping containers, this is one of the greatest places to explore on the Gold Coast. Micro art galleries, cinema, events, creative retail and food outlets – you name it, they’ve got it!
And there’s no shortage of things to do! You can visit studio shops of gifted artists, makers and jewellers and even watch them create; participate in workshops; learn an instrument with one-on-one lessons; taste some of the area’s best food; take part in events, exhibition openings and art workshops – the list goes on! It’s really no wonder that the M-Arts Precinct is considered a truly unique destination.
For a fun visit to an exotic fruit farm
The Tropical Fruit World is a Tweed favourite and is an award-winning farm. Located in Duranbah, it delivers an experience that perfectly blends fun, food, nature, health and informative insights. Join a fully guided tour of this 200-acre commercial fruit farm and see how it operates in harmony with the countryside.
Your admission tickets include a Plantation Safari, a Fruit Tasting Show, Wildlife Boat Cruise, Island recreation area, Fauna Park and an Introduction into Australian Bush Tucker. You can also buy some of the exclusive products made with their own farm fruit at the Gift Market. After you’ve had your fill of fun, you could dig into a delicious late breakfast or lunch, or cool off with some ice-cream or juices at their incredible Plantation Café.
For an exciting distillery tour
Husk Distillers started out as a mere-shed-in-a paddock family farm in North Tumbulgum, but is now a flourishing community of farmers and distillers. A Husk Distillery tour showcases how the farm aims to make hand-crafted rum of the finest quality from freshly crushed cane juice – all from sugar cane that they grow themselves.
Home of Ink Gin and Husk Rum, the Husk distillery offers many ways to sample their spirits – from cocktails on the Tasting Terrace, long lunches at the Planter’s Kitchen or casual drinks set on The Lawn. If you haven’t had enough of their exquisite beverages, Husk welcomes you to take a piece of them home as well by purchasing a little something from their gift shop.
Wrapping Up
From squealing with a crab in your hand, to blowing bubbles under water as a turtle swims past, savouring exotic flavours and sipping on some fine beverages, each of these adventures are a whole new story. Visitors who take the time to explore this humble area and immerse themselves in what it offers leave with a deeper appreciation of its rhythm. So if you’re planning a trip to Gold Coast, make sure you add the Tweed Region into your itinerary.
