Savour The Tweed: The Foodie Festival You Can’t Miss

The Tweed is getting a brand-new gourmet event to shine a light on its world-class food culture.

Sandwiched between Byron Bay and the Gold Coast, the Tweed rivals both with its stunning beaches, laid-back coastal vibes and vibrant food scene dotted with highly awarded restaurants. Full of talent and passion, there’s so much for gourmands to discover here and now they can with the launch of the inaugural Savour The Tweed this October.

As a region dotted with eight hatted fine diners, NSW’s best regional restaurant (that’s two years running, mind you) and a hinterland proliferated with incredible producers, it certainly seems long overdue for the Tweed to have its own dedicated food and drink event.

FINS Plantation House in the Tweed — It’s long overdue for the Tweed to have its own dedicated food and drink event.

Now both locals and visitors alike are invited to enjoy a roaming feast of the area with the five-day Savour The Tweed launching this spring. From 30 October to 3 November, a banquet of gourmet events will roll out from coast to country with a program co-curated by renowned Tweed-based chef and cookbook author, Christine Manfield and local food advocate Amy Colli of Straight to the Source .

Chef cooking at Pipit in Pottsville — From 30 October to 3 November, a banquet of gourmet events will roll out from coast to country.

“The festival highlights the diversity and breadth of talent in the region and applauds the agritourism initiatives that continue to flourish and allow our community to stand out," says Manfield.

Amassing local and visiting talent to spotlight such initiatives, the program is stacked with both ticketed and free events, with everything from First Nations storytellers to passionate chefs, distillers, brewers, cheesemakers and farmers, among a huge array of locally grown and crafted foods.

Pipit restaurant in Pottsville — The program is stacked with both ticketed and free events.

The program

From the simple love of a good meal to a deeper dive into artisan products and discovering the terroir of the region, there’s a Savour The Tweed event to satiate everyone.

It all kicks off with a free event at the local Murwillumbah Farmers Market, where Tweed local and Rae’s on Wategos chef Jason Saxby will hold a foodie Q&A session. From there, you can dip in and out of the program. Learn about all things fishy with a Demystifying Seafood masterclass with chef Steven Snow at local favourite Fins; find a deeper connection to Country with a talk by Bundjalung chef Mindy Woods and First Nations ally Christine Manfield; and enjoy a hinterland feast of fire and ice at a collaboration by hatted Potager and Bush Ice-creamery.

Fresh produce from the Murwillumbah Farmers Market — Attend a foodie Q&A session at the local Murwillumbah Farmers Market.

There will be laidback lunches, brunches, degustations and vibrant parties to attend at some of the Tweed’s most acclaimed eateries and establishments, as well as kid-focused events and experiences that speak to sustainable and regenerative farming and region-specific flavours. The final farewell party will be held on 3 November at the hatted No.35 Kitchen & Bar at Cabarita Beach.

Burrata and bread at No.35 Kitchen & Bar Cabarita Beach — The final farewell party will be held on 3 November at the hatted No.35 Kitchen & Bar.

Event highlights

With more than 20 events across five big days, it’s difficult to pinpoint highlights. Manfield suggests looking for events that speak to your budget and interests.

“I would encourage everyone to engage with at least a few of the events to really get a measure of the excellence on show in the Tweed," she says.

If we had to choose, for those who relish refined flavours and beautiful produce, you shouldn’t miss The Producers Dinner at Murwillumbah’s hatted Bistro Livi on 31 October.

Bistro Livi in Murwillumbah — Don’t miss The Producers Dinner at Murwillumbah’s hatted Bistro Livi.

The following day, head to Farm & Co for The Farm Kitchen with acclaimed cookbook author Belinda Jefferies. Relish a warm spring evening outdoors that night with a Wood Fired Dinner Under the Stars at Plantation House .

Farm and Co table setting in the Tweed — Head to Farm & Co for The Farm Kitchen. (Image: Pineapple Images)

Then on Saturday 2 November, get the kids in the kitchen with an Eat the Rainbow workshop led by local Samantha Gowing, before leaving them with a babysitter and heading to the Flamin’ Negroni Party at Husk Farm Distillery , where you’ll try their famous Ink Gin.

Negronis at Husk Farm Distillery — Head to the Flamin’ Negroni Party at Husk Farm Distillery.

And don’t miss a pairing of a sustainable ethos with culinary talent at the Sensational Seaweed: Healthy Planet lunch at Pottsville’s hatted Pipit .

Dishes from Pipit in Pottsville — Don’t miss Pottsville’s hatted Pipit.

Where to stay

Blue Water Motel, Kingscliff

This cool, revived retro surf motel is a short walk to the beach, town and Kingscliff Bowls Club, where the Kids Cooking Workshop will be held.

Blue Water Motel bed — Blue Water Motel is a short walk to the beach.

Halcyon House, Cabarita Beach

This luxe, five-star hotel is beach-adjacent and just a few steps from the Cabarita Beach high street. It’s also home to the hatted Paper Daisy restaurant.

the Halcyon House Pool — just a few steps from the Cabarita Beach high street. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

Oaks Casuarina Santai Resort

Set in the beachside Casuarina, this recently revived resort looks over a large interior pool and is close to shops and the beach.

Peppers Salt Resort & Spa, Kingscliff

Easy, breezy accommodation by the beach with all the amenities expected of a Peppers property.

Peppers Salt Resort & Spa pool in the Tweed — Relax at Peppers Salt Resort & Spa.

Tweed Holiday Parks, Pottsville South

Keep it casual and stay in a tidy creek-side cabin at this holiday park . It’s just a short walk from Pottsville town and Pipit and right on the lagoon-like Cudgera Creek.

If you can’t make the festival…

It stands to reason next year’s Savour The Tweed is likely to be even bigger. But if you can’t wait that long, there are plenty of food-forward places to experience no matter when you visit.

Of course, there are eight hatted restaurants to book: Pipit , Bistro Livi , No.35 Restaurant & Bar , Paper Daisy , Tweed River House , Potager , Taverna , and Fins Restaurant .

Potager restaurant in the Tweed — Potager is one of eight hatted restaurants to book.

There are also wonderful places to sip and chill, such as Husk Farm Distillery in Tumbulgum and Earth Beer Company in Cudgen, while the Kingscliff Hotel has an excellent live music rotation. Head to Bay Street in Tweed Heads for provisions at Rob Roy Deli and The Bread Social , as well as Kat Harvey Cheese in Murwillumbah and the plentiful local farmer’s markets, including the fabulous Saturday market at Tropical Fruit World .

In Pottsville, Black Drop has a well-finessed daily menu and also does great pop-up dinners, while in Cudgen, Farm & Co is a perfect brunch spot or farm-to-plate dinner date, and Burringbar’s Teakwood Cafe and the Natural Wine Shop are well-worth a hinterland sojourn.

Farm & Co tables with sunflowers — Farm & Co is a perfect brunch spot or farm-to-plate dinner date. (Image: Mathilde Bouby Photography)

Tickets

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at Savour The Tweed where you can also view a full program of events. Event prices vary but do not exceed $200. So be quick, headline events will surely sell out fast.

Series of dishes at Savour The Tweed festival in the Tweed — The five-day Savour The Tweed festival is launching this spring.

Thredbo in summer is a nature lover’s dream of show-stopping alpine beauty, cool mountain air and magical moonlit adventure.

For many of us, Thredbo calls to mind shimmering slopes and snow-dusted gums, but come summer, this Alpine resort transforms into a playground of an entirely different kind. A cool mountain retreat despite the season, Thredbo summer hikes are astonishingly beautiful, criss-crossing over dramatic peaks, pristine glacial lakes and abundant flora and fauna.

From approachable tracks for novice walkers to more challenging hikes across the Main Range and even journeys under moonlight, Thredbo puts on an unforgettable show of natural splendour all summer. Lace up your walking boots and take the chairlift from Thredbo village to embark on a self-guided exploration or a tour of the Snowy Mountains’ most compelling landscapes.

These eight unforgettable hiking experiences are only available in summer and offer an alpine adventure like you’ve never experienced before.

1. Full Moon Hike to Mt Kosciuszko

There’s something almost mystical about hiking by the light of a full moon. This guided experience begins with a 15-minute chairlift ride, where you’ll admire the Thredbo Valley below, bathed in the fading sun.

Once at the top, you’ll pass rivers, alpine lakes and spot nocturnal wildlife on your way to the Kosciuszko Lookout and Lake Cootapatamba. By the time you reach the summit, sunset is well underway as you watch day give way to night and the alpine landscape magically illuminated by the lunar glow. Enjoy a hot chocolate here before following the path back to Eagles Nest, brightened by the night sky.

This 13-kilometre hike will take place on 3 January, 2 February, and 2 April in 2026.

2. Super Full Moon Hike

Super Full Moon Hike in thredbo — Take in the might of a super full moon.

The only thing that could level up the celestial beauty of a full moon hike would be a super full moon hike . Following the same route, you’ll meet the moon when it is largest and closest to Earth by ascending to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko at an elevation of 2228 metres. From such a height, it almost feels as though you could reach out and touch its glowing surface.

Given the rarity and splendour of the super full moon, limited spots fill up fast for this awe-inspiring hike, so be sure to book the 5 December in advance.

3. Lunar Eclipse Hike

Thredbo Lunar Eclipse Hike — See dazzling celestial displays.

What could be more extraordinary than witnessing a lunar eclipse from Australia’s highest peak? Whether you’re a keen astronomer or simply revel in nature’s beauty, this guided 13-kilometre hike will place you on top of Mount Kosciuszko just as Earth passes between the sun and moon, throwing shade over the lunar surface before transforming it with a deep-red hue.

It’s an epic place to witness one of our galaxy’s most spectacular and rare light shows. Apart from the dazzling celestial display, you’ll also enjoy walking through the moon-bathed landscape, an evening chairlift ride, and a hot chocolate at the summit.

Book now for 3 March.

4. New Moon Hike

New Moon Hike Mt Kosciuszko — Catch the changing skies of a new moon.

A stargazer’s delight, the darkness of a new moon gives the Milky Way full permission to dazzle with its shimmering display. Both astronomers and photographers will relish this opportunity to observe and capture the starry skyscape from the lofty height of Australia’s highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko. Departing Thredbo Village at dusk and leaving its twinkling lights far below, you’ll arrive at the summit in time to see the sun slip away and the stars appear.

Catch this hike during the new moon lunar phase on 20 December, 19 January, 17 February, 19 March or 17 April.

5. Thredbo River Track

Embark on a gentle entry into the Snowy Mountain scenery with an amble along the Thredbo River. This self-guided hike hugs the river and wanders along the valley floor, revealing snow gum forests, swimming holes and little waterfalls that make for revitalising cold plunges in the summer heat.

6. Merritts Nature Track

Merritts Nature Track thredbo summer hikes — Stop at swimming holes along the way.

On warm summer days, venturing into the cooler air of Thredbo’s alpine tracks offers relief from the heat. Particularly if you set course for the four-kilometre Merritts Nature Track , where there are opportunities to take a refreshing dip in swimming holes along the way.

The two-to-three-hour self-guided hike meanders through towering ancient trees (dubbed the ‘Pixie Forest’ by locals), takes in stunning mountain vistas and is soundtracked by the melody of birdsong. Stop for a picnic and discover a hidden natural infinity pool, the location of which is given away by the roar of a cascading waterfall.

7. Mt Kosciuszko Summit Tour

Follow a guide along Mt Kosciuszko's summit. — Follow a guide along Mt Kosciuszko’s summit.

While you can easily steer yourself to Australia’s most iconic peak without a guide, following an expert guide to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko will colour your experience with a deeper knowledge of the landscape and its wild inhabitants. The 13-kilometre return trail puts the alpine scenery on display with 360-degree views from the highest spot in the country.

The walk begins at the top of the Kosciuszko Chairlift and takes around four to six hours to complete, but is gentle enough to be embarked upon by all ages.

8. Snowies Alpine Walk Experience

If you’re looking to truly untether from daily life and embark on a real immersion in Thredbo’s stunning alpine scenery, pack your hiking boots for the newest multi-day walk in the mountains. The Snowies Alpine Walk can be tackled over two or three days and includes nightly accommodation in the iconic Thredbo Alpine Hotel, daily buffet breakfast, packed lunch and dinner vouchers, plus daily transfers to and from trail heads in a brand-new Defender.

The two-day experience covers 24 kilometres, while the three-day experience almost doubles that at 44 kilometres. Along the way, explore barely trod landscapes, vast high-country plains and uplifting mountain horizons.

Discover the full offering of summer hikes in Thredbo at thredbo.com.au.

Taste your way through the Tweed: The foodie festival you can’t miss!