  Murwillumbah Township in the Tweed ValleyTweed Coast Hinterland, Northern Rivers region of the Far North Coast NSW, AustraliaLess than 75 minutes drive south of Brisbane, 25 minutes south of Gold Coast airport and 30 minutes North of it's more famous neighbour, Byron Bay, Murwillumbah is the central hub of the beautiful Tweed Shire. Murwillumbah is a picturesque town that spreads along the western bank of the Tweed River and up into the hills of the McPherson Ranges. Surrounded, as it is, by the rim of the world's largest extinct shield volcano and bordering the Tweed River, almost every street has magnificent mountain, river and valley views.
As well as being the gateway to five of Australia's World Heritage listed national parks, including Mt Warning, the eroded central hub of the world's largest extinct shield volcano and the spot where the dawn sun first touches Australia's eastern seaboard, Murwillumbah is home to the World Heritage Rainforest Centre - a visitor information centre which also houses a National Parks and Wildlife Service office. At the Rainforest Centre you'll find an interesting display on how the volcanic caldera, or rim of the volcano, was formed ~ resulting in the stunning views to mountains and valleys in every direction. 
Wander the Art Deco style main street and enjoy the many side-walk cafes & restaurants, shops and boutiques - ladies in particular will love Chantilly Lace Boutique for it's one-off and hand-beaded creations in silk and other fine fabrics. Stay longer in the area and take advantage of one of the many boutique style bed and breakfasts or retreat accommodation houses scattered in the hills and valleys a short drive from the town centre. Enjoy a good old fashioned 'night out at the Movies" at the charming Regent Cinema which has one of only 2 full size screens left in Australia, and bean bags instead of front stall seats - not to mention outdoor movies on the balcony during summer and a charming cafeteria. 
Take the short drive to Stokers Siding to visit the Northern Rivers Regional Art Gallery which hosts the annual Doug Moran portrait prize - the richest portrait prize in the world! With clean air, plentiful supply of water, an excellent Golf Club, mild climate, security, proximity to airports, major resorts and shopping centres without the frantic pace of more highly populated areas, as well as ready access to the cities of Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Murwillumbah (and its surrounding villages) is truly The Jewel in the Crown of the Northern Rivers. In recent years Murwillumbah has attracted increasing numbers of "sea change" escapees from the city as well as tourists seeking an escape from the more well publicised holiday destinations, resulting into its development into a thriving regional town without losing its inherent charm and friendliness. History of Murwillumbah In 1863, pioneer cattleman and settler, Joshua Bray, first recorded the name Murwillumbah (meaning "place of many possums") as the Aboriginal name for the tribal lands between the Rous and Tweed Rivers. In 1868 the first vessel sailed up the Tweed River and a year later sugar cane began growing in the district. The river was the main access and means of transport for settlers, timber getters and merchants. By 1872 the town site was surveyed, but Murwillumbah didn't undergo major expansion until the railway opened in 1894. In 1907 a devastating fire all but wiped out the main business area. However, rebuilding was undertaken and many of the resultant buildings can still be seen today in the heritage streetscape of the old commercial centre. A visit to the Historical Museum in Queensland Road gives more insight into the towns history. Murwillumbah Industry & Agriculture Today, Murwillumbah (meaning "place of many possums") is the central town in the Tweed Shire on the far North East coast of New South Wales, Australia. It has long been recognised as the seat of local government and the major service provider to the many and varied rural industries, communities and attractions of the Tweed Shire. Together with surrounding villages, including Uki, Chillingham, Tyalgum, Tumbulgum, Burringbar, Stokers Siding and others, Murwillumbah serves a resident population in excess of 15,000 people with a total catchment of nearly double this. Murwillumbah offers business and investment opportunities in agri-business, agri-tourism, agri-forestry, industry and commerce. Each one of the villages also offers its own unique lifestyle and opportunities. Being part of the "Cellulose Valley" initiative of the Research and Development Program at Southern Cross University also provides a great deal of potential for the rural areas surrounding Murwillumbah, with the exploration of possibilities in growing medicinal, perfumed and culinary herbs. The town is still the centre for dairying, sugarcane and banana growing - which has been celebrated every August since 1955 by the Tweed Banana Festival. Festivals and Events
Hillcrest Mountain View Retreat
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