📍18 Best Things To Do In Tweed Heads & Surrounds. (Attractions & Activities.) (2024.)

WONDERING WHAT THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN TWEED HEADS ARE?

Tweed Heads is New South Wales’ northernmost coast city and is the twin city of Coolangatta, which lies just across the border in Queensland. Both are seaside paradises with a peaceful coastal atmosphere and excellent beachfront accommodation perfect for spending a luxurious weekend by the sea without the hustle and bustle of being in overly tourist areas such as Surfers Paradise, further up on the Gold Coast.

Plus, they are only a short distance away from the Gold Coast Airport, meaning those flying in can spend more time enjoying the best things to do in Tweed Heads, rather than spending time commuting to get from here to there.

1. Come Face-To-Face With Marine Giants.
Swimming With Whales. – $.

Every year between May and October, majestic humpback whales make their way up and down the east and west coast of Australia, leaving their usual swimming grounds near Antarctia to head north for warmer waters where they will breed and calve, before returning home with their newborn babies in tow.

The magical migration sees them travelling roughly 5000km during this period, one of the longest journeys of any mammal, land or marine! The Gold Coast has many whale watching cruises that get up close and personal with wonderfully curious creatures, creating a memorable trip out at sea.

It’s a great way to see their surface behaviours. However, it’s not the only way to see them. A tour with Cooly Eco Adventures lets participants go into the water to mingle with these spectacular animals face-to-face below the surface in their natural environment, an incredibly intimate and unforgettable opportunity with some of the largest creatures that not many companies offer, so I highly recommend it because it is easily the best thing to do in Tweed Heads.

Note: Only available during the winter months.

2. Point Danger Lighthouse.

The Point Danger Lighthouse is Tweed Head’s most visited attraction, and for good reason. The beacon is so architecturally unique, you’d be forgiven for not recognising it is a lighthouse at all. Plus it earmarks the QLD/NSW border at its easternmost point with a line running directly underneath it, which makes jumping back and forth between the states a must! 

Sitting high up on the headland, it also has sweeping panoramic views. On the Queensland side, get distance views of the skyrises of Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, and the famous Snapper Rocks at the base of the cliffs, while peering across into NSW, enjoy gorgeous views of Duranbah Beach and the mouth of the Tweed River. Between the states is the vast Pacific Ocean, making this the perfect spot to watch the sunrise or search for marine wildlife such as friendly dolphins and stealthy sharks year-round and majestic humpback whales during winter when they make their annual migration up and down the east coast of Australia. 

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3. Go Swimming.
Duranbah Beach.

Seen from Point Danger Lighthouse, Duranbah Beach is a gorgeous stretch of sand. It’s also Tweed Heads only patrolled swimming beach which is great for when the temps are up. However, lifeguards are only there at weekends between the Christmas and April school holidays and they don’t advise going in the water otherwise due to persistent rips.

Surfing is a different story and is very popular thanks to consistent peaky beach breaks and right off-handers from the northern break wall surfing contests are regularly held here.

Speaking of the break wall, it’s a lovely place to enjoy a walk, and you may even spot dolphins and turtles in the river. There is also a park at the northern end of the beach which has sheltered picnic tables, BBQs and grassy areas, making it a fantastic place to enjoy a few hours by the ocean.

4. Explore The Rivers.
Tweed River & Terranora Creek

Along with being an oceanside town, Tweed Heads prominently features rivers. The most notable is the Tweed. However, Terranora Creek is a major tributary that leads into it, meaning there are miles of waterway to explore! Whether you’ve got a boat, jet ski, kayak or stand-up paddleboard, there is plenty of opportunity to enjoy water-based fun close to town or venture further upstream for a tranquil escape. 

5. Learn About The Local Indigenous Heritage.
Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre. $.

One of the most fascinating and unique things to do in Tweed Heads is to visit the Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Run by local indigenous people, the centre showcases the region’s traditional lifestyle of Australia’s first inhabitants. Throughout the museum, discover exhibits, informative videos, and Aboriginal art inside and enjoy seeing the dancing performances in the outdoor performance area. 

The area around the museum is known as the Tweed Heads Historical Site and is a fascinating insight into the local geography before they turned it into homes and hotels. Walk through several different habitats of varying vegetation, but DO NOT FORGET INSECT REPELLENT! I forgot and have never been more eaten alive by mosquitos than when I was here. The number of bites I got was in the 40s even after walking with my arms swinging around like a maniac.

Note: Open – Monday to Thursday, 10am to 3pm. The walking trails are always open.

6. Explore The Town’s Best Hidden Gem.
Tom Beatson Outlook.

Somewhere just as scenic as Point Danger is Tom Beatson Outlook. This gorgeous little lookout is a phenomenal hidden gem in the town’s residential area tucked away behind the coastline. The view from the car park is already lovely, but a short walk into the rainforest along a narrow bridge opens up to a secret picnic area where beautiful views of the twin towns of Tweed Heads and Coolangatta await. 

Just across the border, Tweed Heads’ twin town Coolangatta, is the southernmost coastal suburb of Queensland. But just because it’s away from the tourist heart of the more prolific Gold Coast suburbs of Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach does not mean it doesn’t have much to offer. From beautiful lookouts to world-class surfing beaches and some high-octane activities, this often-overlooked destination packs a surprisingly powerful punch.

7. Experience The Thrill Of Seeing The World The Right Way Up.
Aerobatic Flight.

The Gold Coast’s tagline is Famous for Fun, and nowhere is that sentimental more exemplified than at Coolangatta. Here you can get in the cockpit of a nimble Yak-52 russian warbird and experience the high-octane thrill of barrel rolls, Cuban 8s, loop de loops and more. It’s like you’re fighting in a warzone and dodging enemy fire for 25 adrenaline-pumping minutes, all taking place with Surfers Paradise’s spectacular skyline as the backdrop.

It is an incredibly exhilarating adventure and the endless barrage of acrobatic manoeuvres and G-forces was one of the most unforgettable and satisfying things I’ve done. But this flight isn’t just for thrill-seekers who thrive off adrenaline pumping through their veins, as it’s tailor-made for you. Get the pilot to crank it up to 11 like I did, do a few moves here or there, or just enjoy a scenic ride in a gorgeous heritage plane, it’s completely up to you! (And what your stomach can handle.)

8. Just Out Of A Perfectly Good Plane.
Tandem Skydiving.

Another epic way to see the revered coastline above is to jump out of a perfectly good plane and freefall face first towards the earth at terminal velocity with a tandem skydive. 

But what makes this exciting Gold Coast experience a must-do is that not only will you be getting extraordinary views of some of Australia’s most famous beaches and rugged hinterland while feeling the exhilarating rush as you plummet towards it at 200km an hour, but it uniquely concludes with a beach landing, making it one of the most elite skydives you’ll find in the country!

9. Surf The World’s Greatest Surf Break.
Snapper Rocks.

For those who love surfing, Duranbah Beach is great, but just on Point Danger’s northern side lies one of the world’s most acclaimed surfing locales. Snapper Rocks, Queensland’s southernmost beach, is home to the most famous breaks in the world and often has elite-level competitions held there, so you know it’s second to none in eliteness. 

But if that wasn’t enough to seal the deal, it is also the Gold Coast’s beach of choice for 3-time world surfing champion Mick Fanning. He is known to visit when strong southeast swells create perfect barrel rolls, a dream for all those who enjoy the sport!

10. Take The Kids Swimming!
Rainbow Bay (Sheltered Beach.)

If you have kids or aren’t the best swimmer, one of the best ocean beaches between the sister cities is Rainbow Bay and Greenmount Beach. Because of their northerly facing direction, they get less direct wave impact, creating calmer conditions for families and friends to safely frolic around in the sea. 

Furthermore, should anything happen, lifeguards patrol both beaches between 8 am and 5 pm every day of the year, ensuring someone qualified is on hand should something go awry.

11. Photograph Two Unique Geographical Landmarks.
Currumbin Rock & Elephant Rock.

There are plenty of beautiful headlands all along the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers. However, two unique geographical landmarks stand out: Currumbin Rock & Elephant Rock. Both are not far up the coast from Tweed Heads and distinctive isolated boulders that stick out of the sand. The former is shard-like, while the latter is more of a rocky outpost, but both are exceptional subjects for photography spots, especially at sunrise.

Furthermore, Elephant Rock also has a formal lookout atop it which makes it a great place for shooting the coast and searching for dolphins and whales in the ocean. Plus, because the Gold Coast Airport is a stone’s throw away, it is also an exceptional place to watch the planes coming and going!

Note: If your visit includes ANZAC Day (25 April), I highly recommend getting up early and attending the Dawn Service to pay respects to Australia’s heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

12. Currumbin Pool.

The coast, with its beaches and river, is a lovely place to visit, but the hinterland also has its fair share of gems, and two of them are not far from Tweed Heads, and both lie along the same road: Currumbin Creek Road. The first is Currumbin Rock Pool, a beautiful natural swimming hole by the side of the road, perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day. Sometimes, the waters are chilly in the main plunge pool, so I recommend walking upstream a bit to where the water cascades across the rocks, where, despite being in the shade, is much warmer.

I also advise wearing water shoes to protect your feet from places like this, as you can never be sure what’s on the creek bed, plus it makes walking much easier. Just be warned freshwater eels live there, and I got gnawed on by one while in the big pool, but it wasn’t a bad bite. I only had light surface-level scratches and a drop of blood, so take that for what you will. It’s only the second time this has ever happened in all my years of frolicking around in many similar places.

13. Cougal Cascades. (Springbrook National Park.)

The second incredible place to visit along Currumbin Creek Road lies at the end of it. This is now national park territory, specifically Springbrook National Park. It is waterfall territory, and while most of them lie up on the plateau and make for an excellent day trip from Tweed Heads (More on it below), you can get a taste of what it has to offer here in its south-easternmost corner.

There’s only one short trail here and it leads past the breathtaking Cougal Casades, a beautiful series of consecutive waterfalls and plunge pools fed by the pristine rainforested mountains and valleys of the hinterland making its way towards the sea, including downstream through the aforementioned Currumbin Rock Pool.

Don’t just stop at the falls though, as a little further up, there is a heritage sawmill where you can learn about the forest’s bygone days as a source of wood back when our ancestors didn’t understand the importance of the natural environment as much as we do today.

The Northern Rivers of New South Wales is regionally renowned for its laid-back atmosphere and emphasis on nature. This means the coastal towns are peaceful and idyllic while the countryside is full of rugged landscapes and lush greenery, thanks to this part of the state receiving the highest annual rainfall per annum, giving visitors a fantastic choice for day trips from Tweed Heads. 

14. Kingscliff & Fingal Head.

Kingscliff and Fingal Head are just south of Tweed Heads. The latter is especially close as you can see the northernmost tip of it from Point Danger on the QLD/ NSW border, but that doesn’t mean they’re not worthy day trip destinations.

Between them, there is plenty of beautiful beachfront to discover. However, Kingsliff is a particularly underrated gem because of the stunning Cudgen Creek. The calm waterway boasts crystal clear waters and is the perfect place to escape and gather with a group of friends, get to know your significant other, or bond with the family over activities such as wild swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and snorkelling, but mind you, when I went, despite the temperatures being in the high 30s in summer, the water was freezing! However, you may see a dolphin as the news once reported one swimming past people!

Fingal Head, on the other hand, lies a thin peninsula between the Tweed River and the Pacific Ocean. The former side is very picturesque, with many scenic picnic areas and boat launching areas lining the western bank, giving watercraft users a lovely way to spend a few hours on the water. Meanwhile, on the latter, the short walk to the lighthouse is well worth it, not for the heritage structure, but for the spectacular views the headland offers. Enjoy breathtaking views of Cook Island and the impressive lava columns that jut up from the ocean, while keeping your eyes peeled for dolphins swimming close by and Australasian gannets divebombing the waters trying to catch lunch. 

15. Byron Bay.

No coastal town is more synonymous with the Land Down Under than Byron Bay, famous for being the poster child for the idyllic Australian lifestyle. Located 65km south of Tweed Heads, this beloved destination sits right on the doorstep of a rugged national park, home to the gorgeous, heritage-listed Cape Byron Lighthouse and the mainland’s most easterly point, two gorgeous places to watch the sunrise.

It also has beautiful beaches, fantastic surf and a buzzing atmosphere. But it’s not all about staying put, as three of its best activities involve taking to the skies. Jump out of a perfectly good plane and free-fall back down to the earth with a tandem skydive, run off a ramp and ride the thermals over the aforementioned lighthouse with tandem hang glider, or drink in the breathtaking coastal and country scenery from an open-aired two-seater gyrocopter for a truly unique experience to complement a trip to this renowned seaside destination.

16. Nightcap National Park.

For a more peaceful place to drink in the scenery, Nightcap National Park has one of the Northern River’s most impressive waterfalls in a region abundant with them. Minyon Falls plunges 100m off a sheer cliff face and is breathtaking to see from the wheelchair-friendly viewing platform. However, the highlight of the national park is the 13km walk to the base of this spectacular natural landmark, allowing hikers to marvel at its remarkable beauty from the base. 

Over on the western side lies another beautiful waterfall, Protestors Falls, which tumbles 30m over a cliff and has many picturesque rock pools along the way to enjoy along this short, scenic trail. 

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17. – Springbrook National Park.
(Springbrook Plateau & Natural Bridge Section.)

Inland, Springbrook National Park is a premiere hiking destination and a must-visit for those who love to immerse themselves in nature. While you can get a taste of that a short distance from Tweed Heads with the Cougal Cascades, a fantastic place to visit on the southwestern edge, it gets significantly more beautiful atop the plateau, as this Gondwana World Heritage Rainforest is abundant with waterfalls.

Purlingbrook Falls, Twin Falls, Rainbow Falls, and Goolmoolarha Falls are just a few of the most impressive waterfalls found along various trails within this magnificent national park. And to complement these breathtaking natural landmarks, the cliffs they plunge over have many spectacular viewpoints looking down into the valley, plus a couple more to boot, including the Best Of All Lookout. The name says it all, as it looks back into NSW and provides a breathtaking view of eroded Tweed Volcano, with the remnant volcanic plug of Mount Warning being the striking centrepiece.

Meanwhile, off the plateau on the far western side of the national park lies Springbrooks most unique waterfall: the Natural Bridge. What makes it so remarkable is the way Cave Creek cascades down a rocky slope before dramatically plunging through the ceiling of a dark cave and flowing out of its wide entranceway. More impressive is that you can go inside the cave and see the water rushing in and feel the power of it surging through in what I found to be a simultaneously unsettling and humbling experience, so it doesn’t get much better than that.

18. Hinze Dam.

For those wanting to spend their time by a different kind of water, the Hinze Dam is a fantastic place to do so. This stunning supply lake for the Gold Coast is an excellent recreational facility for enjoying various activities such as the lovely views overlooking the watery expanse from along the dam wall or of the spillway from the lookout, picnicking or BBQing at Waterside Park and Picnic Parkland, or mountain bike riding at the Pat Hallinan Mountain Bike Precinct from the day-use areas.

Further south along the Nerang Murwillumbah Road is the Western Boat Ramp where you can launch an electric boat, sailboat, or kayak from the ramp and spend a few hours tranquilly exploring the quietest parts of the dam. Best of all, the lake is en route to Springbrook National Park so you can visit both these beautiful places in one scenic day trip from Tweed Heads.

Accommodation: Where To Stay In Tweed Heads, New South Wales.

• Budget: Kennedy Drive Airport Motel.
• Mid-Range: La Costa Beachside Motel.
• Luxury: Nirvana By The Sea.

From swimming at the beach, watching the sunrise from the lighthouse, enjoying a picturesque river cruise, going for a scenic drive in the countryside and having a peek over the border, there are some fantastic things to do in Tweed Heads that’ll leave you with lasting memories.

If you are planning to visit Tweed Heads, consider looking at these other posts.