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This Byron Bay gem was just crowned the NSW North Coast’s best luxury hotel

Credit: Destination NSW

Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
The North Coast tourism awards have been announced, and we can’t wait to check back into the luxurious winning hotel.

Stretching from Port Macquarie up to the Queensland border, there’s a lot to love about the New South Wales North Coast; warm, sunny days, golden beaches, ancient rainforests and laid-back towns, for starters. And now, the North Coast tourism industry has announced its finalists for 2026 across a large range of tourism categories, offering even more reasons to travel. None more appealing than the winner of the luxury five-star accommodation category: Crystalbrook, Byron Bay.

About the awards

aerial of byron bay nsw
The NSW North Coast is packed full of beautiful vistas. (Credit: Destination NSW)

The annual awards celebrate outstanding businesses, experiences and individuals across the region in 17  different categories. All finalists will now progress to the 2026 NSW Tourism Awards this November for the opportunity to represent the state on the national stage.

Destination North Coast General Manager, Michael Thurston, said the continued growth of the awards reflects the strength and ambition of the region’s tourism industry.

“These awards aren’t just about celebrating a win on the night," he said, “they build real capability across the region, helping businesses sharpen their offering and set themselves up for sustained success.

About Crystalbrook, Byron Bay

aerial of adults-only pool at crystalbrook byron bay, winner in nsw north coast tourism awards
Relax by the adults-only pool, drink in hand. (Credit: Destination NSW)

I’m not one to ‘relax’ as such on a holiday. I mean to, but then the pull of each new attraction proves too much, and I end my holiday as tired as when I started it. The exception, in my life? A long weekend stay at Crystalbrook, Byron Bay.

And it’s not just the idyllic setting, literally within 45 acres of subtropical rainforest in the beautiful Byron Bay. Or the fact there are only 92 spacious suites, which all feel very private and in their own section of rainforest. It’s that the whole property is dedicated to helping guests prioritise their wellness, in a way that feels natural, organic and enjoyable.

Take an easy walk down to the nearby beach. Join in a session of aqua aerobics in the gorgeous adults-only pool (which is a hoot, by the way), or wait until the workout is done and pull up a lounge for the day – getting up only to take a dip or order another drink from the pool bar. Check into the blissful Eléme Day Spa. And breakfast, oh my goodness. The breakfast menu is mostly very good for your body, but tastes absolutely naughty.

You get it, I’m a huge fan and completely understand why they earned their top spot.

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Other finalists

The Belfry Guesthouse
The Belfry Guesthouse has won three years in a row. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Other accommodation category winners also include Tweed Holiday Parks Kingscliff North and The Ridge Gloucester. The Belfry Guesthouse made its own Hall of Fame category as the winner of Hosted Accommodation for the last three years in a row. A couple of years young, 25-room retro boutique hotel Sea Sea Hotel in Crescent Head took out the 4–4.5 Star Accommodation category.

Find a full list of gold winners below, and bookmark them for your next holiday.

Full list of gold winners:

The details

Bookings: Discover Crystalbrook, Byron Bay for yourself. Book via the website.
Pricing: From $266 per night, but keep an eye out for wellness retreats and other special deals.
Location: 77/97 Broken Head Rd, Byron Bay

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Kassia Byrnes
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
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Dive into summer with hikes, great bites and wellness in The Tweed

    Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
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    Warmer days call for slowing down and relaxing in nature. Discover why The Tweed is the ultimate destination to do just that.

    As the end of the year draws near, the need for rest and restoration grows ever more prominent. For many, that means heading into nature – and there’s plenty of science to back up the benefits of doing so. It quite literally makes us happier as it reduces stress hormones, lowers our blood pressure and more. And what better place to lean into this feel-good effect than during summer in The Tweed (in the Northern Rivers region of NSW)? Blending sparkling beaches, riverside towns and hinterland villages, this area has nature covered, while also offering top activities and dining options.

    Slip, slop, slap.

    And of course, pack your SPF. We Are Feel Good Inc’s Ultra-Light Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 is a lightweight and fast-absorbing formula that keeps your skin hydrated and shielded, thanks to nourishing Coconut Oil and Vitamin E. But it’s also helping preserve the natural beauty around you on your Tweed vacation, thanks to 30 per cent ocean waste packaging.

    Discover eight experiences that make The Tweed the perfect place for summer.

    1. Underwater worlds

    two people swimming after turtle on the tweed
    Get a chance to swim with the locals.

    There’s something about the ocean that calls to us as humans, and what’s below the surface is even more magical.

    Green, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles (not to mention an abundance of other marine life) all use the protected waters around Cook Island, near Fingal Head, as their foraging ground, making it the perfect place to dive and snorkel to spot these adorable creatures.

    Join Cooly Eco Adventures on a guided snorkelling tour that combines unforgettable turtle encounters with an inspiring look into marine conservation.

    2. Farm-to-table dining

    table spread at Potager restaurant
    Treat your taste buds at Potager. (Image: Cara Sophie)

    Respecting the land and nature also means appreciating its abundance of food. From farm-to-table cafes and boutique breweries to river cruises and restaurants championing local produce, dining around The Tweed often means engaging with the best local producers.

    The award-winning Potager Restaurant, part of The Hinterland Collection, is the perfect example; beginning life as a kitchen garden, the passion to champion local producers is woven into every dish. Vegetables, fruit and herbs are picked from the garden or sourced from other local producers, the seafood comes from the Northern Rivers, and meat is sourced from ethical local producers. Even the cocktail list features local distillers.

    Extend your stay with a night (or several) at boutique on-site accommodation, Potager House. This French-inspired country four-bedroom retreat boasts stunning views of the surrounding hills and nearby ocean, as well as a large pool, outdoor entertaining area and infrared sauna.

    3. Water wellness

    Waterguru Mindfulness in the Mangroves summer on the tweed
    Find mindfulness in mangroves. (Image: Matt Johnson)

    You’ll find mindfulness while floating around the mangroves of Kingscliff’s Cudgen Creek at any time, but Watersports Guru offers an immersive experience to help guests do so with more intent. Join a 90-minute guided session on a stand-up paddleboard to reconnect with nature and relax through breathwork, gentle movement and sensory awareness.

    If you’re feeling more adventurous, Watersports Guru also offer Kayak fishing adventures or join a Sea Turtle Odyssey experience.

    4. Restorative seaside stays

    woman relaxing in spa at Halcyon Wellness, halcyon house
    Unwind at Halcyon Wellness.

    The Tweed encourages locals and visitors alike to slow down. To really indulge, a seaside stay is a must. Halcyon House has understood the assignment, blending a wellness philosophy centred on balance and self-discovery with luxurious surrounds. Stay in one of 22 rooms and suites (each individually designed by eclectic interior designer Anna Spiro) right on the beachfront. Book restorative treatments at the onsite spa, Halcyon Wellness, relax by the pool, dine at the hatted Paper Daisy restaurant and just let The Tweed work its magic.

    While Blue Water Motel offers a relaxed coastal escape, just steps from Kingscliff Beach. Settle in stylish rooms, recently restyled by Jason Grant, nodding to the cool of Kingscliff with a fun retro vibe. Hire a bike from reception to explore the surrounding area.

    5. Tasty drops

    Husk Farm Distillery
    Join a Farm to Bottle tour. (Image: Salsingh Photography)

    The owners at Husk Farm Distillery aren’t just about creating high-quality rum: they’re also farmers themselves. In fact, they create one of the world’s only single estate, farm-to-bottle spirits. Join a Farm to Bottle tour to discover the sustainable ‘full circle’ distilling practices used here, and even get hands-on with your own cane knife to help harvest and juice your own stalk of cane. And, of course, a welcome drink plus complimentary tastings along the way.

    6. Rail trail adventures

    Cycle the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.
    Cycle the Northern Rivers Rail Trail.

    Exploring the rolling green slopes and historic towns of the 24-kilometre Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail is one of the best ways to connect with the region’s lush hinterland and interesting heritage. In this section of the trail, discover the area’s railway history at heritage-listed Murwillumbah Railway Station, and traverse by 18 railway bridges and through two railway tunnels.

    Linking vibrant towns and villages with the larger hub of Murwillumbah, this section of the trail is covered in asphalt or compacted gravel, making it accessible for all ages and abilities, from prams to adaptive bikes. 

    7. Linger longer

    surfer at fingal heads the tweed
    Enjoy beachside locations, like Fingal Heads.

    Linger longer at one of the seven idyllic beach, river and creekside locations of Tweed Holiday Parks – including at Tweed Heads, Kingscliff Beach, Hastings Point and Pottsville South. All just steps from the water’s edge, they make the ideal base to unwind, or head out for exploration of The Tweed. Choose from luxury waterfront cabins, accessible cabins, surfari tents (yes, they are basically glamping tents) or spacious sites for caravans, motorhomes and campervans or tents.

    Tweed Holiday Parks
    Stay for longer and indulge in plat at Tweed Holiday Parks.

    Find your feel-good summer in The Tweed at visitthetweed.com.au.