The Tweed just made Lonely Planet's list... the secret's out.

Big news for my little corner of the world. Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2027 just dropped, and the Tweed was named one of the world's 50 Top Destinations for 2027. It's the only Australian spot on the list, and one of just three across Oceania. The Guardian covered it this week, and the headline cracked me up: "Byron Bay's daggier neighbour". That tracks.

As someone who moved up the road from Byron over 12 years ago... I feel seen.

The Tweed has totally secured its place in my heart. On Bundjalung Country, cared for by the Minyungbal and Ngandowal speaking peoples for tens of thousands of years... Every beach, creek and bushland on this list has stories far older than any travel guide, and I'm really grateful to live, work and play here.

So, now that the secret's out, here's my local top ten 👇

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Outdoors

1. Norries Headland, Cabarita
My daily walk. Sometimes there are whales, often dolphins, always surfers, unbroken horizon and a BIG sky. It never gets old, and it resets my brain better than any meditation app.

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2. Pottsville Enviro Park + Fingal Head Lighthouse
Two very different nature fixes. The Environment Park is a gentle, shady wander through coastal bush, perfect for a slow Sunday. Fingal is a winding walk around the little lighthouse, with ocean views and the Giant's Causeway rocks.

3. Northern Rivers Rail Trail
Old railway line turned walking and cycling track, a 24km trail that goes through tunnels, cane fields and tiny villages. Grab a bike, pack snacks, and give yourself a whole day.

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Swim

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4. Cudgen Creek, Kingscliff
Crystal clear saltwater, a gentle current, and the kind of swim where you just float and forget your inbox exists 🏊‍♂️ Go when high tide is on the way back out to sea and let the creek do the work.

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Eat

5. The coffee crawl
Cubby is my go-to, several times a week. Super friendly crew, great batch brew and croissants. Day Shift in Kingscliff and Black Drop in Pottsville are both other faves.

6. Caba + Casuarina, my 'hood
I'm pretty spoiled in my own backyard for good dining options. Number 35 is Caba's classy Italian. Delicious and homely with an interesting wine list and good share plates. Paper Daisy at the swanky Halcyon House over the road is another winner (pricey though). Head down the road to Casuarina where Spice Den has been a local institution for years with its Thai menu and resort vibes. bAr bRuTo is the new kid on the block... good vermouth list and tapas plates, perfect for a pre-dinner drink before quality pizza next door at Jordy's.

7. Bread Social + Mate & Matts
I regularly score amazing bread and pastries from Bread Social in Tweed Heads, then fresh local veggies from Mate & Matts in Cudgen on my way back to Casuarina. Honestly, the produce up here is supreme.

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Drink

8. Caba Surf Club + Earth Brewery
Nothing beats a cold one upstairs on the balcony at Caba Surf Club overlooking the beach. For something a bit more crafty, Earth Brewery in Cudgen has some really interesting styles, always changing, and a great old shed vibe.

9. Husk, Tumbulgum
Tumbulgum is a cute little river town and Husk Distillery, over the bridge on the other side, is a great excuse to go there. Sit on the lawn, sip their excellent Ink Gin or Bam Bam spiced rum, and take in Wollumbin in the distance.

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Drive

10. My two favourite loops
The 30 minute drive via Pottsville and Wooyung to our office in the Byron Induzzy is genuinely pleasant. Coastal back roads, cane fields and not a single traffic light.

Casuarina to Murwillumbah, then Burringbar, back to Caba. This one shows you the whole Tweed in an afternoon... the river, the valley, Wollumbin on the horizon and a few little hinterland towns. On the way over to Mur'bah pull over at Raven Place in Clothiers Creek, a little roadside farm with a food truck doing Japanese street food and good coffee. Then in Murwillumbah, treat yourself to lunch (or a drink on the lawn) at Tweed River House, a gorgeous old riverside house with Wollumbin views.

Bonus tip: check out Heaths Homewares in Burringbar for a proper antique mooch. I've lost many happy hours in there.

I'm genuinely stoked that people are discovering what a great region it is.

See ya in The Tweed! (Don't get it mixed up with Tweed Heads... not so glam there)

Nigel