Murwillumbah, NSW, 2484
Place of Many Possums
by Jo-Ann Palmer.
Very much a traditional style agricultural centre, Murwillumbah is located nearly exactly in the middle of the Mt Warning caldera, with the nearby Mount Warning commanding almost every view.
The seat of the Tweed Shire Council, Murwillumbah also serves as the commercial centre for the smaller villages and residential developments in the valley.
Photo: Tweed River - Murwillumbah, © Big Volcano Tourism
The rich alluvial soils washed down from the slopes of the eroding volcanic outcroppings support the production of sugar cane, mixed small crops and vegetables.
Big Volcano Supporters
Accommodation in Murwillumbah and nearby
Hint: Mouse over for external site description. External links open in a new window.
Accommodations listed and linked here are Big Volcano customers. Support local - Book direct!
Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat
Limpinwood Lodge
Accommodation Directory
More Accommodation
Disclosure: The links below are affiliate links. If you make a booking and stay after clicking on one of these links, we receive a small commission at NO extra cost to you.
Search Murwillumah accommodation via Booking.com, or book direct from selected 
links below
EcOasis Resort
- Gallery Motel - South Murwillumbah
- Murwillumbah Motor Inn
- The Imperial Hotel New
- Selah - Limpinwood New
- Tweed River Motel
- Big Volcano Accommodation Directory
Local Tours & Attractions
Hint: Mouse over for external site description. External links open in a new window.
Tweed Regional Gallery & MOAC
Tweed Regional Museum
Activities and Attractions Directory
More Tours & Attractions
- The Big Climb - Mount Warning Summit Walk
- Birdlife Northern Rivers
- Mount Warning Gliding Adventure Slideshow
- Murwillumbah Skate Park - Knox Park
- Mt Warning Tours
- Caldera Wildscapes Gallery
- Crystal Creek Miniatures
- Madura Tea Estates
- Northern Rivers Rail Trail New
- Tropical Fruit World
- Tweed Arts Trail
- Big Volcano Activities & Attractions Directory
The surrounding foothills have dairy and beef farms along with bananas, and fruit and nut orchards.
Many primary producers are diversifing into crops like coffee, native bush tucker, or have started operations in farm forestry to supply sustainable saw milling operations.
Much of the volcanic slopes are cloaked in dense forests of mixed sclerophyll euacalypt and rainforest types, most of which are reserves
or national parks.
The heights are primarily protected as World Heritage listed Natonal Parks, and you can get a birds eye view from a scenic flight around the caldera from the Murwillumbah airfield or
glider flight from Tyagarah airfield, just north of Byron Bay.
Gold Coast aiport at Coolangatta is just 25 minutes drive north.
The town's location on the Tweed River provides direct access vast areas of estuarine lakes for small boats, and to the ocean at the Tweed heads river entrance.
Accommodation
Extensive and diverse accommodation around Murwillumbah ranges from backpacker lodgings, cottages, caravan parks, B&Bs, pubs and motels, though to exclusive 5 star cabins.
Many lodgings are within walking distance of the coach station, or a short and scenic drive out of the town in surrounding villages and localities like Uki and Crystal Creek.
Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat This couples only, national and international award winning rainforest retreat has just 13 private, architect-designed luxury bungalows, all with gourmet kitchens, fireplaces, double spa baths, and rainforest views, placed discreetly in pristine Australian rainforest. Web site.
Limpinwood Lodge Escape and immerse yourself in the serenity of a Limpinwood Lodge chalet. With couples in mind, the fully equipped and secluded chalets allow you to relax, unwind and recharge, surrounded by rainforest .Web site.
Murwillumbah Showground Trust has a designated Primative camping area with 26 sites. Just 500 metres walk to Main Street retail shopping. (Please note, the campground is not available during major events such as the Murwillumbah Show. See Big Volcano Camping Grounds for more camping options in the region.)
Attractions
You'll hear locals refer to it as "Mur-bah" and debate the claim that Murwillumbah means "Place of many possums" in the local aboriginal dialect.
With a number of historic buildings in the art deco or federation style along Main Street, many of the shop fronts reflect the era, while there are also a tempting range of al fresco cafes and eateries scattered along its length for you to sit, relax and enjoy the ambience of a small country town.
For individual cafe and restaurant listings, check out Big Volcano Cafes & Teahouses and Restaurants & Bistros directories.
For a more unique view, take in a pizza or coffee and delicious cake on the balcony of The Regent Cinema (circa 1947) in Brisbane Street, just before enjoying a screening of the latest popular and art house films.
Photo: Treasures of the Tweed - Murwillumbah levy wall art, © D Palmer
Caldera Farmers Market, is held (mainly undercover) at the showground every Wednesday, and is a great chance to meet and talk with local growers and getting fresh produce. The monthly Murwillumbah Community Market, is on the 4th Sunday.
Check out the Big Volcano Farmers and Weekend Markets directory for details of all local markets.
The Murwillumbah Visitor Visitor Centre, is now located in the old railway station, after several flood events swept through the visitor and rainforest centre in 2017, 2020 and 2022. With the opening of the Northern River Rail Trail, it's now in the perfect location for visitors to get information about the valley.
The Caldera Wildscapes Gallery, artists in residence and displays of their work, is located at 60 Main St, Murwillumbah, with the entrance adjacent to the Court House Hotel. Entry is free and open from 10am-4pm, Wednesday to Sunday.
Madura Tea Estates on Clothiers Creek Road about 5 klms east of Murwillumbah, offers guided tours on Tuesday and Thurday at 10am and 3pm where visitors can view the tea making process from "plant-to-pack" production. Groups of 10 or more please tel: (02) 6670 6000 prior.
Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre
The Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre, on Mistral Rd, South Murwillumbah, is open from 10am - 5pm Wednesday to Sunday, and is renowned not only for the commanding views over the Tweed River and valley, but is also home to the Margaret Olley Art Centre, a bequest from Australian artist, the late Margaret Olley.
The MOAC features fully transplanted rooms from her Sydney home, with all objects and items in situ.
The gallery also features travelling exhibitions, local artists exhibtions, Art photographs, contemporary art and craftworks including ceramics, glass, fibre and timber, and various artistic activities during school holidays.
Photo: Tweed Regional Museum - Murwillumbah, © D Palmer
Tweed Regional Museum - Murwillumbah is located in the original Tweed Shire Council Chambers of 1915, and features locally significant objects such as the massive Robey steam engine, the original Council Chambers meeting table and larger-than-life fibreglass Banana Jim, mascot of the annual Banana Festival.
Video interviews with local families and business owners provide insights into life in a small country town, and iPads offer access to additional information and collections. Temporary exhibitions are frequently scheduled with evening talks from local curators and experts.
The Tweed Regional Museum - Murwillumbah, is open from 10am - 4pm Tuesday to Friday, and 10am - 4pm on the 1st Saturday of the month. Schools and tour groups are welcome.
Getting to Murwillumbah
Getting to the region is easy: Visitors can reach Murwillumbah by road and rail, with air services available at Gold Coast Airport, Lismore Airport and Ballina /Byron Gateway Airport.
Road
Murwillumbah is approximately 821 kilometres - about 11 hours drive north from Sydney, and approximately 132 kilometres - about 90 minutes drive south from Brisbane, via the Pacific Highway.
Driving options include the primary coastal Pacific Highway, and inland Summerland Way (via Kyogle) in New South Wales, and from Queensland you can take the Pacific Highway, or come via the Nerang - Murwillumbah Road through the pictureque Numinbah Valley, and enjoy a scenic drive along the north arm (Rous River) via the village of Chillingham.
Air
Domestic flights operate from all capital cities to Gold Coast Airport at Coolangatta and Ballina/Byron Gateway
Airport. A number of international carriers servicing SE Asia, New Zealand and the Pacific fly into Gold Coast Airport.
Charter flights may also available to Lismore Airport. All airports have airport car hire or other car rental services available nearby.
Daily airport transfer services between Ballina/Byron Gateway Airport and Gold Coast Airport, are available to selected localities in the region, with some shuttles also going to Brisbane International Airport. Visit Gold Coast Airport Transfer Services for more information.
Coach/Rail
Daily interstate coach services (Premier Motor Services) to Brisbane and Sydney setdown and pickup outside the Murwillumbah Station, South Murwillumbah, on the Tweed Valley Way, next to the Murwillumbah Visitor Information Centre. NSW TrainLink coaches set down and pick up for transfers to Casino, for the daily or overnight train between Sydney and Brisbane. See Transport NSW - Murwillumbah for departures, timetables and more information for all coach and train services.
Google Ads