Murwillumbah Overview

Located in a valley halfway between Byron Bay and Tweed Heads, Murwillumbah (mur-WULL-um-bah) is a charming country town. The town serves as a base for exploring several nearby national parks, including Border Ranges, Mebbin, Mooball, Mt. Jerusalem, Mt. Warning, Nightcap, and Wollumbin.

Transportation. To get to Murwillumbah by car, turn off the Pacific Hwy. onto Tweed Valley Way. Countrylink (☎13 22 32) offers buses to Casino (2-3hr., 3-4 per day, $18), where riders can reach Sydney by rail. Southbound buses stop at the railway station on the Pacific Hwy.; northbound buses stop outside the tourist info center. Premier Motor Services (☎13 34 10) run to Brisbane (2-3hr., 2 per day, $25), Byron Bay (1hr., 2 per day, $18), and other stops on its Brisbane-Sydney route. Greyhound Australia (☎1300 473 946) services Brisbane (2-3hr., 1-2 per day, $31) and Surfers Paradise (1½hr., 1 per day, $26). Local Surfside Buslines (☎13 12 30) runs to Tweed Heads (1hr., 9-12 per day).

Orientation And Practical Information. Most of the town lies west of the Tweed River, but you’ll find Tweed Valley Way, the visitors center, and the train station all on its east bank. To reach the town center, cross the Tweed River on the Alma Street bridge. Alma Street crosses Commercial Rd. before becoming Wollumbin Street. The Tourist Information Centre, in Budd Park, at the corner of Tweed Valley Way and Alma St., is located inside the World Heritage Rainforest Centre, which has a number of displays about the area’s natural wonders. (☎02 6672 1340 or 1800 674 414; www.tweedcoolangatta.com.au. Open M-Sa 9am-4:30pm, Su 9:30am-4pm.) Internet is at Precise PCs, 13 Commercial Rd. (☎02 6672 8300; $4 per hr.; open M-F 9am-5pm, Sa 9am-noon) and at the library (☎02 6670 2427; $2.20 per 30min; open M-W and F 9:30am-6pm, Th 9:30am-7:30pm, Sa 9am-noon). Find a police station at 81 Murwillumbah St. (☎02 6672 8300) and a post office (☎02 6670 2030) on the corner of Brisbane and Murwillumbah St. Postal Code: 2484.

Accommodations And Food. The   Mount Warning/Murwillumbah YHA   , 1 Tumbulgum Rd., is a well-kept, colorful, homey lodge abutting the Tweed River 18km from the base of the mountain. From the tourist center, cross the Alma St. bridge, turn right on Commercial Rd., and follow the river around the bend about 150m. The lodge sits on the riverbank, with a wrap-around deck facing Mt. Warning. It offers free use of inner tubes and free nightly ice cream at 9pm. The incredible owner, Tassie, has been running this place for 28 years. (☎02 6672 3763. Laundry $7-9. Internet $6 per hr. Key deposit $10. Bike rental $10 per day. Canoes $20 per person. Bike, canoe, and transport to Mt. Warning free for guests staying 3 or more nights. Dorms $27-31; doubles $58-67.) The Hotel Murwillumbah , 17 Wharf St., offers cheap pubstays on the second floor. (☎02 6672 1139. Dorms $20, weekly $100; doubles $50/120. MC/V.)

Most eateries are cafes and fish and chips shops on Main St., with a handful of multicultural restaurants on Wollumbin St. and Commercial Rd.   Nam Yeng   , 7 Wharf St., cooks up delicious Vietnamese and Thai specialties ($8-16) in a newly renovated space. The owner sold her former restaurant but missed cooking so much that she opened this new place. (☎02 6672 3088. Open daily lunch and dinner.) For lunch, locals love Austral Cafe , 6 Commercial Rd., which sells few Thai dishes ($13-18) alongside pizza ($11-20) and other Italian basics. (☎02 6672 1935. Open Tu-Su 5pm-9:30pm. Cash only.) A Coles supermarket is in the Sunnyside Shopping Center on the corner of Brisbane and Wollumbin St. (☎02 6672 4213. Open M-Sa 6am-10pm, Su 8am-8pm.)

If you don’t mind a longer drive, Tropical Fruit World, Duranbah Rd., Duranbah, is just off the Pacific Hwy., 30min. north of Ballina and Byron Bay. This combination farm and park offers Australia’s largest selection of tropical fruits. Over 500 varieties, including the famous chocolate pudding fruit, are here for the buying. (☎02 6677 7363; www.tropicalfruitworld.com.au. Open daily 10am-sunset. Entrance to sales pavilions free. Park has fruit-tasting shows, plantation safaris, and grounds tours. $33; children $16.)