Tweed Heads

Tweed Heads is a town located in north-eastern New South Wales, Australia in Tweed Shire. Tweed Heads is located next to the border with Queensland, adjacent to the "Twin Town" of Coolangatta, a suburb of the Gold Coast. It is often referred to as a town where you can change time zones - even celebrate New Year twice within an hour - simply by crossing the street, due to its close proximity to the Queensland border. Whilst here you should definitely walk out to Point Danger where you will be greeted by a large memorial for Captain Cook. The memorial marks the New South Wales and Queensland border divide, and you can actually stand in both states at the same time.

Whilst the area is a hotbed of activity, with tourism, shopping, surfing and some of the fastest residential growth in the state, this activity is nothing compared to the fireworks of some 20 million years ago, when volcanic action resulted in the largest caldera (volcanic rim) in the southern hemisphere.

The most obvious souvenir of those long-gone hot times is the dramatic peak of Mount Warning (1157m), named by Captain Cook after having escaped nearby "dangerous shoals" of nearby Point Danger, which he also named as a warning to future mariners. The mountain is the remnant magma chamber and central vent of the ancient volcano, and the lava flow reached as far as Kyogle in the west, Ballina in the south, and 100 kilometres out to sea. Over the millennia, wind and rain have carved out some spectacular scenery, and much of it is preserved in the six World Heritage listed areas in the region. From Point Danger you can also get fantastic views. Looking north you can see the Gold Coast in Queensland and looking south you can see along the Far North Coast coastline in New South Wales.

With a temperate climate and relaxed lifestyle, Tweed Heads has grown considerably over the past few decades, with the large licensed clubs the dominant features. However, the high-rise development which marks the Gold Coast further north, is largely absent from Tweed Heads and the residential areas have tended to spread out across newer regions rather than skywards. The population has grown at the rate of 4% a year, with many retirees drawn from down south along with families seeking a more relaxed environment. With more than 37 kilometres of beaches in the shire, there is still a lot of space to enjoy.

Whilst at Tweed Heads you should take time to explore the picturesque Tweed River, where you can see plenty of wildlife. Popular activities along the river include canoeing, fishing and kayaking. You can also hire a boat so that you can explore the river on your own for a relaxing day. Being so close linked to the Gold Coast it is no wonder that Tweed Heads is a flourishing seaside town and grows more popular every year. This sleepy town has emerged as a bustling hive of activity presenting many things to do during the day as well as the night time.

Around Tweed Heads are a number of fantastic seafood restaurants serving fresh, local seafood. There are also a number of shopping malls, as well as the lively entertainment complex Twin Towns. The Tweed Mall features around 85 stores for you to explore as well a Harbourside Food Court which serves delicious meals. Tweed Heads also holds a market every Sunday, where you can pick up some great bargains and souvenirs.

Apart from the traditional favourite past-times of sun, surf, fishing and clubs, there are many other attractions in and around Tweed Heads. Aside from some relaxing retail therapy in the many shops, there are cinemas and galleries in town. Further out is the Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre, with a museum, a sacred bora ring and a half hour bushwalk. The Razorback Lookout just behind the town takes in both the Tweed Valley and Gold Coast. Tweed River cruises offer a range of sightseeing, along with coffee or meals, and even the opportunity to catch a crab.

Regional attractions include Tropical Fruit World, the Melaleuca Tea Tree Plantation, Pioneer Plantation and Condong Sugar Mill. The glitz of Surfers Paradise is just another half hour up the road, and a little further on are the theme parks so popular with children and teenagers. Country drives inland offer a totally different perspective, and the many national parks are ideal for bushwalking. Travelling south down the coast, the many little towns and villages offer great places for a swim or a coffee, and in the farming areas there are many roadside fruit stalls with local fruit in season.

There is a range of accommodation for you to choose from with fairly reasonable prices, and many with great views. Transport is also good. Buses travelling locally leave close to the Tweed Mall, with buses travelling further afield leaving from Bay Street.

So come and holiday at Tweed Heads and see why so many people come back every year to soak up the sun, enjoy year round perfect swimming and surfing conditions and entertainment and attractions to suit the whole family.