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Murwillumbah and the Tweed Valley

MurwillumbahMurwillumbah is centrally located between the Gold Coast and Byron Bay providing visitors with easy access to all the region offers from beaches, to culture to heritage listed national parks. Since the Pacific Highway bypass, Murwillumbah has joined the Top 10 of the most desirable places to live in Australia.

The picturesque township of Murwillumbah has a population of approx 7,500 people and lies on the Tweed River. The Tweed River is a short river with a catchment area in the erosion caldera of the Tweed Volcano, a huge extinct volcano of which Mt Warning is the volcanic plug. The branches of the river join at Murwillumbah and flow into the sea about 20 kilometres northeast at Tweed Heads.

Watched over by the awe inspiring majesty of Mt Warning, and surrounded by five World Heritage National Parks, the countryside around Murwillumbah is a blend of rolling green hills and gently flowing rivers, punctuated with pockets of sugar cane, banana plantations, hobby farms and small village communities. There are a number of alternative lifestyle retreats nearby, perhaps most notable belonging to the Hare Krishna.

The indigenous people are of the Bundjalung nation. Nearby Mount Warning and its attendant National Park are known as Wollumbin, meaning "Cloud Catcher" in the Bundjalung language. Due to Mount Warning's proximity to the Australian continent's eastern most point at Cape Byron, Mount Warning is believed to be the first place on the Australian mainland to see the sun rise. In 1770, the peak was named Mount Warning by Lieutenant James Cook.

Murwillumbah has a lot to offer visitors; from some of the best examples of Art Deco architecture to be found anywhere in Australia to the award winning Tweed River Art Gallery. Murwillumbah has a range of eclectic shops, dining for all tastes and sporting facilities for all followings. Murwillumbah has over 18 galleries and artists' studios in town and the nearby villages.
Feeling culturally deprived? Many nationally renowned exhibitions such as the Archibald Portrait Prize and the Olive Cotton Photographic Portraiture Prize can be seen at the stunning Tweed River Art Gallery. The gallery's sleek and modern design juxtaposed to breathtaking views of the Border Ranges, Mt Warning and the Tweed River provide a relaxing and inspiring environment for all. The exhibition program includes Archibald Portrait Prize, the National Tweed Wood Art Award, CPM National Print Award, and a Photographic Award as well as the Border Art Prize for local artists. Travelling exhibitions and exhibitions curated from the Gallery’s Collection and exhibitions by local artists.

The Tweed River Regional Museum is located on Queensland Road in the Heart of town. Here you'll get a historic perspective of Tweed River Valley and Murwillumbah. The building itself is a little piece of history as it was the original Tweed Shire Council Chambers built in 1915. Walk through the front doors and you will step back in time surrounded by a rich a diverse collection showcasing the history of the Tweed Valley. There is a very impressive collection includes a rare steam engine circa 1900, a specialist radio collection, clothing items and countless historical photographs.

Byron Bay East Coast Blues and Roots Festival is a world renown music even that takes place for 5 days in April.  The Blues Festival has been going for over 20 years and has been voted the best festival of its kind in Australia.  

Tyalgum Festival of Classical Music in September is an internationally renowned festival  held in Tyalgum Village since it’s inception in 1991. Recognised as one of Australia’s premier classical events, numerous artists have ranked the 1908 Tyalgum Hall alongside some the best concert venues in the world.

The first week of September brings Murwillumbah's newest event. As part of Speed Week, Murwillumbah hosts the World Rally Championship. details are available from Touring Car Times. As part of this exciting event historic vehicles from around Australia will converge on Murwillumbah to celebrate motor sports history by taking part in a 1.4km circuit through the streets of town. Grandstands line the streets to ensure great views of the race and the showground provides a space to walk amongst the cars and meet the drivers. At the same time World Rally cars will be competing in stages within a 50km radius.

Tweed Valley Banana Festival in August is the second longest running festival in Australia. The Banana Festival has been running for over 50 years. The fortnight long celebrations include the Festival Queen Quest and many community events such as art and craft exhibitions, fashion parades, a charity ball and a colourful street parade and carnival.

Poinciana Motel
453 Tweed Valley Way - Murwillumbah, NSW 2482 Australia
Ph: 02 6672 3666 | Fax: 02 6672 6101 | Toll free 1800 353 987
Map of Murwillumbah NSW