[category]
[title]
Is there anything better than chucking your OOO on and heading off on a summertime adventure? Here’s where you should add to the top of your list (before the rest of the world flocks to it à la seagulls and hot chips).
The Tweed in Northern NSW has been named one of Lonely Planet’s Top Destinations for 2027, making it the only Australian spot among the guide’s 25 Top Destinations.
RELATED READ: NSW’s 8 most enchanting small towns revealed – bookmark for your next road trip
Now in its 17th year, the Best in Travel guide spotlights 50 must-visit destinations and experiences for 2027, with 25 destinations and 25 experiences making the cut.
There were only two Aussie inclusions – The Tweed in the Top Destinations list and the Red Centre in the Top Experiences list.
About a nine-hour drive from Sydney (give or take snack and bathroom stops), the Tweed stretches 37km from the beaches of Kingscliff and Cabarita to the lush hinterland around Murwillumbah, and locals have long known of the Tweed’s magic. Emerald waters, rolling waves, ancient rainforests, cascading waterfalls, beautiful produce and a barefoot vibe.
The region takes in coastal favourites including Kingscliff, Cabarita Beach, Pottsville and Tweed Heads, as well as hinterland towns and villages including Murwillumbah, Uki, Tyalgum and Burringbar.
Most holidaygoers head here to relax on its long golden beaches or dine at award-winning coastal restaurants – including Pipit in Pottsville and Bistro Livi in Murwillumbah – but there’s far more to the Tweed than sand and seafood.
Adventure seekers can hike through lush green hills formed by an ancient shield volcano, cycle sections of the 132-kilometre Northern Rivers Rail Trail and tackle the newly opened four-day Gidjuum Gulganyi Walk. For a dose of culture, you can explore the Margaret Olley Art Centre, admire Murwillumbah’s Art Deco buildings or taste native ingredients on an Indigenous-led river cruise with Tweed Escapes.
The other Aussie inclusion in Lonely Planet’s 2027 Best in Travel guide was the Northern Territory’s Red Centre, which was named one of the world’s 25 Top Experiences for its immersive First Nations art.
Feeling inspired to work your way through Lonely Planet's 2027 bucket list? You can view it in full here.
Time to start planning that Northern NSW getaway? I reckon so.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.