Port Macquarie to Gold Coast road trip: Distance, drive time & stops

Port Macquarie to Gold Coast drive: Tweed Coast

It’s another 45 minutes from Byron Bay to Tweed Heads, the northernmost town in NSW.

The route starts out past Belongil Beach and the Tyagarah Nature Reserve, but Brunswick Heads has more than just a fantastic beach. Activity options include kayaking or cruising on the Brunswick River, or embarking on a snorkelling tour to Julian Rocks.

Here’s why you should stay in Brunswick Heads – four fantastic experiences

Take a snorkelling tour to the protected subtropical paradise – at the marine life-packed Julian Rocks.
Take an eco-cruise through the rainforest – in the day time or on a sunset cruise.
Watch migrating humpback whales between June and October – on a whale-watching cruise with a marine biologist guide.
Take a nature kayaking tour along the river – choose from sunrise, daytime and sunset tours.

Brunswick Heads accommodation picks include the cool-looking Brunswick and the pool-focused Sails Motel.

Canoeing on the Brunswick River, Brunswick Heads, NSW. Photo courtesy of Destination NSW.

Mooball National Park, Pottsville, Hastings Point, Cabarita Beach and Tropical Fruit World in Duranbah are amongst other options for exploration. The latter offers a boat cruise and farm tour.

Five fabulous Tweed Coast experiences to at least consider booking

Tweed River lunch cruise – with wildlife viewing in the rainforest.
Crab-catching tour in Tweed Heads.
Farm tour at Tropical Fruit World – with wildlife spotting cruise.
Progressive four course meal across four top Kingscliff restaurants.
Husk Distillers distillery tour – with tastings.

You can also try rum-tasting at the Husk Distillery in Tumbulgum before rejoining the coast at Kingscliff. Here, you can rent a kayak from Watersports Guru.