Discover Murwillumbah NSW
Discover and Explore Murwillumbah & Northern Rivers NSW
Welcome to Northern NSW, one of the best regions to explore. Come discover Murwillumbah and see why this small town is booming. One of the joys of coming home after travelling overseas is seeing the seasonal changes and re-exploring old haunts plus discovering new ones. Murwillumbah is a fabulous town waiting for you to discover!
Charming Small Towns
Small towns were once the lifeblood of most countries. Before highways and motorways most small towns were thriving communities throughout Australia. Today, small towns are much more isolated and often struggle to survive the competition that larger cities provide. The success of small towns generally relies on the loyalty of its residents and tourism. Small town living may not be for everyone, but for those who choose a small-town life know there is no better one!
Local Lingo
Murwillumbah or as the locals fondly call it ‘M’bah or Murbah’ is a small town that I have watched change considerably over the last 8 years.
It is a tight-knit community of approximately 10,000 residents with many Art Deco style buildings, cafes, pubs, aquatic centre, fashion boutiques, antique and op-shops and much more. Also, the commercial centre for the smaller towns and villages in the Tweed Valley.
Tweed Regional Gallery Murwillumbah NSW
My go to ‘happy’ place is the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre in South Murwillumbah. The gallery and Mount Warning are the two greatest assets of the Tweed Valley Region. Surrounded by beautiful gardens and lawns, the gallery offers panoramic views of the Tweed River and beyond. Tweed Regional Gallery is the perfect destination to view first-rate exhibitions. Click here for the current and here for the coming exhibitions.
Renowned Australian Artist
Margaret Olley Art Centre celebrates the career, life and legacy of its namesake. Olley was one of Australia’s most celebrated painters of still life and interiors.
Incorporated into the gallery is a recreation of Olley’s Sydney home studio located at 48 Duxford Street, Paddington. The recreation features original architectural elements such as windows and doors. The studio rooms are filled with over 20,000 items Olley collected over decades and were subject matter for her paintings. The home studio recreation is on permanent display while exhibitions of artworks in MOAC change twice a year.
Daily Gallery Tours
Daily guided tours of the current exhibitions are hosted by trained volunteer gallery guides at 11.30am, Wednesdays to Sundays. The tour last approximately 45 – 60 minutes and provides a glimpse into the history of the gallery, exhibitions on display and Margaret Olley Art Centre.
Admission to the Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre is FREE. Donation boxes are located within the Gallery should you wish to donate. The gallery shop is a place for visitors to purchase a gift or keepsake to take home. Enjoy a coffee or meal in the Tweed Gallery café with exceptional views.
Opening Hours: Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm.
Address: 2 Mistral Road (Cnr Tweed Valley Way) Murwillumbah South NSW 2484 Google Map
Gallery DownTown | M-Arts Precinct
Murwillumbah is regarded as the creative and cultural hub of the Tweed Valley. Gallery Downtown Murwillumbah, an annex of the Tweed Regional Gallery is open in the M-Arts Precinct on cnr Proudfoot Lane and Brisbane Street, Murwillumbah, NSW. Map
Gallery DownTown aims to act as a driver of creative and economic development in the heart of Murwillumbah’s CBD. Shipping containers have been converted into quirky studios, workshops and shopfronts in the M-Arts Precinct located within an art-deco building and industrial warehouses.
The artists hub is a place where talented and creative minds come together with art lovers and visitors looking for new and exciting pieces of art to buy and admire. Regional and visiting artists host exhibitions and workshops, where you can explore your creative side.
Tweed Regional Museum Murwillumbah NSW
The Tweed Regional Museum takes you on a journey into the places and history of the pioneers and communities that helped create towns like Murwillumbah, Tumbulgum and Uki.
The Museum is located in the original 1915 Tweed Shire Council Chambers which was tastefully renovated in 2014, in-keeping with its heritage.
Today, the Museum showcases both permanent and changing displays. Glimpses into past settlements and development of the Tweed communities.
- Address: 2 Queensland Rd, Murwillumbah, NSW 2484
- Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10am – 4pm
- Location Map
Excellent Local Restaurants and Cafes
Bacaro is a mixture of traditional and contemporary Venetian Italian cuisine. The Italian restaurant has brought the art deco building back to life with great coffee and exquisite food created from some of the best local produce grown in the region. Other cafes worth checking out are: Ju Ju’s Café and Keith, both on Murwillumbah Street.
Local Produce Market
Murwillumbah Farmers Market operates every Wednesday morning selling some of the freshest and finest produce from the Tweed Valley and Northern Rivers. The farmers market includes the freshest seasonal fruits, vegetables, herbs, organic eggs, artisan cheeses, olives, nuts, honey and loads of salad greens. Plus, freshly baked artisan breads and pastries, meat and locally caught seafood. There is also a diverse selection of certified organic produce and take away frozen meals. Many locals and beyond now rely on this farmers market for fresh produce grown and sold by real farmers.
Murwillumbah Shopping Precinct | Local Matters
Opening a retail store today comes with no guarantees, many responsibilities and challenges. The continued success of small-town shopping strips like Murwillumbah very much depends upon local support as well as visitors. The café and coffee scene has played an important part in the survival of this small town. Other drawcards to Murwillumbah are the small boutiques, awash with local handcrafted treasures that have been hand selected and displayed with love.
Local Small Business
‘Each to Own’ is a small store of exquisite handmade jewellery and homewares made and sourced within Australia. The flagship store located on Commercial Road, Murwillumbah is both bright and beautiful.
Kirsten Devitt, a local Northern NSW gal has been operating a home-based business from her Stokers Siding workshop since 2009. In 2011, Kirsten opened her own Etsy shop of handmade laser-cut wooden and acrylic jewellery pieces incorporating fun patterns and bright colours. (Etsy is an online marketplace of thousands of handmade, vintage, and one-of-a-kind products and gifts.
’Each To Own’ has been an successful online business for some time, just take a look at ‘Each to Own’ social media sites Shop Instagram Facebook Twitter Web
Well known for her eye-catching ‘Each to Own’ ranges of earrings and accessories, Kirsten has also created a deceptively simple solution to display your favourite things. Keep-Oh is a colourful easy to assemble art hanging system consisting of magnetic sectional frames. There are a number of unique designs in multiple colour themes to suit every décor.
Hard Work & Success!
The well-established fashion store Chozen Surf, expanded some time ago into a second Murwillumbah store. Paradise Living Co is a haven for handcrafted furniture, homewares plus boho and coastal knickknacks. Both stores have an online presence driving foot traffic to Murwillumbah and to their brick-and-mortar stores. The large homeware store is located at 23 Prospero Street, South Murwillumbah.
From Hotel to Homewares
Opposite ‘Each to Own’ on Commercial Road, Murwillumbah, MaddisonBea Home has created an exciting quality homewares and furniture specialty store. The modern store opened in 2015 in the historic Australian Hotel. The Australian Hotel has an interesting and checkered past. It was rebuilt after burning down in 1981. The hotel once was the hub of the live music scene until its closure in 2013. For a couple of years, the premises remained vacant until MaddisonBea Home opened its doors. The stylish white and black exterior shows no evidence of its hotel years.
Fashion & Gifts
Other gift shops contributing to the success of the Murwillumbah business community are Bowerbird Emporium on Wollumbin St and Rumour Has It on Wharf Street.
Pet Shop & Supplies
Australians love their pets, so it is easy to see why the new Murwillumbah Pet Shop is buzzing in town. The store sells all the pet essentials plus luxury items for pampered pooches. The team is happy to help local Tweed pet parents care for their pets and able to recommend local pet care services such as vet clinics, boarding kennels, pet grooming and other dog-friendly facilities.
Stone & Wood Murbah Brewery | Where the Magic Happens….
In 2014, Stone & Wood opened a second larger brewery in Murwillumbah’s industrial precinct. The impressive brewery looks to nearby Wollumbin (Mt Warning), just 45 minutes north of their first brewery in Byron Bay. This second brewery has enabled the Stone & Wood team to meet the demand for Australia’s favourite craft beer. Stone & Wood Pale Ale took out the top GABS Hottest 100 Beer Award for best craft beer in Australia in 2020. They continue to grow and remain committed to brewing with the highest quality ingredients available and are continually looking for ways to improve how they work with natural resources. See more about their Green Feet program here.
Brewing for the Community | Using Beer as a Force for Good
Stone & Wood established in 2013 a community-focussed initiative called “ingrained.” The Ingrained Foundation is Stone & Wood’s way of giving back to the community where they live, work and sell beer. Since its launch, they have donated and raised nearly $1M. Using beer as a force for good. They continue to donate $1/100L each year, as well as raising money through annual events, including Murwillumbah Open Day (April) and Festival of the Stone (June).
Murwillumbah Matters!
Facebook Group | Trish Webster
Trish Webster, the creator of ‘Murwillumbah Matters’, a community Facebook Group since 2016. Trish has lived her entire life in the region. Being part of a growing community and sharing information was the main motivation behind Trish’s decision to establish a Facebook Group. To date over 18,500 people follow Murwillumbah Matters. A place where members can connect with other people in their local area for information on services, community events and notices.
Joining a local group provides an opportunity to meet your neighbours and share experiences. It’s often the first-place new residents visit and a forum where they can ask advice on any topic or service.
Today, small town businesses rely on social media platforms to provide opportunities and to spread the word. Murwillumbah Matters is helping people to connect. Members share and meet new friends while opening doors to discussions within the community. The village of Tumbulgum also relies on their Facebook Group to connect and share local information.
Tumbulgum A Riverside Village
Since moving to Tumbulgum, Northern NSW in 2012, I am learning the importance of buying local, supporting local businesses and being part of a community.
The small riverside village is located approximately 10k from Murwillumbah and is also a popular tourist destination. Click on the links for more information on Tumbulgum and Husk Distillers creators of Tumbulgum’s famous Ink Gin and Spiced Bam Bam Rum.
The Tweed – Find Your Moment!
Everything you need to know about the Tweed. Mountains, surf, art, music, culture, fun, food, markets, events and adventure can be found in the Tweed Visitors Official Guide
For further information on the Northern NSW region contact The Tweed, the official tourism office marketing and promotional body for the Tweed region.
Nearby Highlights
While you’re visiting the Tweed Region, check out these great places too.
Burringbar and Federal NSW and Unicorn Falls near Uki
Border Ranges National Park is a great place to explore the beauty of the Australian Bush.