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.

From serene natural beauty to vibrant nightlife, with plenty of arts and culture in between, the NSW Central Coast has been enjoying a serious glow up.

Just one hour from Sydney, the Central Coast has long been the perfect seaside getaway. And with its ECO Destination certification with a focus on sustainability, it’s a trip travellers can feel good about, too. Recently, new and exciting openings have turned the Central Coast into a place where incredible natural beauty is still on the table, but so is a vibrant and sophisticated arts, dining and nightlife scene.

Find out what’s new to discover on the Central Coast.

1. Gosford’s glow up

room at voco gosford — Book into voco and experience the best of Gosford.

Long-time Central Coast lovers will hardly recognise Gosford these days. While always boasting gorgeous water views, a range of revamps and new openings have turned it into a busy hub of arts and culture, with an increasingly diverse and vibrant nightlife.

Landmark lifestyle hotel voco Gosford is the perfect home base for a Central Coast getaway. At this IHG hotel overlooking sparkling Brisbane Water, guests can spend sunny days soaking in the rooftop pool (or just sipping a cocktail beside it). When it comes to meals, you can enjoy multiple venues serving up everything from modern Australian fare to fine-dining Japanese.

Venture out to lay eyes on the Central Coast’s first permanent Moving Image Gallery (MIG) . Opened this year inside the Gosford Regional Gallery , the immersive space is a showcase of screen-based and digital art. While at the gallery, wander around the Edogawa Commemorative Garden, a traditional Japanese strolling garden complete with teahouse, koi pond and an ornamental bridge.

Meanwhile, the revamped Gosford Regional Library has even more than books to discover. Now, it’s one of the best in the southern hemisphere – find exhibitions, historical archives and community initiatives for all ages at this perfect family-friendly escape.

2. Newcomers to the dining scene

table full of food at Amarilla restaurant terrigal — Treat yourself to sundowners and snacks at Amarilla.

The Central Coast has long been the perfect destination for gourmands, with everything from casual eats to fine dining elevating the local offerings. And three new destinations have been added to the map.

Amarilla at The Haven in Terrigal is the perfect seaside venue for sundowners, with blissed-out beats providing the soundtrack. Book in for golden hour and choose bites from a Spanish tapas menu made for sharing. Do as the locals do and wash it all down with sangria – the Sunday Sangria Sessions have become a local institution.

Also in Terrigal, Little Miss has brought a premium Mediterranean menu to the waterfront. Try the wagyu tartare with Greek caviar or butter-poached lobster and tomato bisque, paired with inventive cocktails and a handpicked selection of Lebanese wines.

Over in Ettalong, Bar Toto is perfect for pre- or post-dinner drinks. This award-winning cocktail bar is known for its creative concoctions, along with craft beer, wine and antipasti platters to snack on. The interior sets the mood, with dim lighting and wooden furnishings.

3. New Central Coast experiences

winemaker at Firescreek Botanical Winery — Book an experience at Firescreek Botanical Winery.

It’s entirely possible (and recommended) to spend a Central Coast getaway relaxing on one of its many peaceful and pristine beaches. But for those who crave more, there’s a long list of options to keep you busy.

Pop into the iconic Australian Reptile Park to see the new Weigel Venom Centre, a state-of-the-art facility that’s home to over 200 of the country’s most venomous snakes.

Get out on the water with Sail Central Coast , which offers 20 years of expertise in yacht charters. Book the Sunset Sail & Dine yacht charter for a private afternoon cruising the waterways of Bouddi National Park and Brisbane Water, stopping at Anchor on Hardys for a two-course meal with a cocktail.

For something completely different, Firescreek Botanical Winery is now offering an Aboriginal Storytelling and Wine Tasting Experience. Learn about local cultures, stories and traditions from an Aboriginal Elder, then enjoy a botanical-inspired wine tasting led by a local winemaking expert.

4. Central Coast accommodation

view from a cottage at Noonaweena — Sleep in the hinterland at Noonaweena.

There’s simply too much to experience on the Central Coast to only stay for one day. Turn your trip into a relaxing getaway by the beach.

Allawah , a retreat on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, is accessible only by boat. This secluded two-bedroom cottage is the perfect place to unwind, allowing you to spend lazy days fishing, kayaking, paddling or unwinding with a book on your own private jetty.

In the Kulnura hinterland, Noonaweena features a range of accommodation styles, from a luxe glamping bell tent to cottages and a treetop suite. It’s a leader in green travel, with 10 years of certification from Eco Tourism Australia. Relax in the onsite wellness centre or get active on various courts and in the gym facilities.

To stay by the ocean at Toowoon Bay, book into Kim’s Beachside Resort . This adults-only property offers a luxury escape nestled within a sub-tropical rainforest. Along with 36 private timber bungalows, indulge in massages or reiki treatments at the dedicated spa, or stop by the cocktail bar and à la carte restaurant.

5. Shopping on the Central Coast

Umina’s Centred Ceramics central coast — Try your hand at Umina’s Centred Ceramics’ pottery courses.

For those after unique trinkets, handmade treasures and beautiful homewares, the Central Coast is a haven.

Markets on the Central Coast have a special flavour. Wander the Umina Beach Markets at twilight, where you’ll find small businesses from the local areas, and the Norah Head Ocean View Markets , where you can soak up good food, live music and artisan finds by the beach after sunset. ‘Tis the season for the Christmas twilight edition of the Avoca Beachside Markets, celebrating the season with pop-up bars, tasty treats and plenty of unique gift options from local artists and producers.

Galleria Ettalong has also added to the Central Coast’s recent makers and creators renaissance, wrapping cinemas, a dining precinct and over 40 boutique shops into one area.

Sign up for a pottery course at Umina’s Centred Ceramics , or peruse the shop for a range of one-of-a-kind pottery made on the premises for a special souvenir.

For more eclectic arts and homewares, pop into Blue Bird Collective Co . This marketplace supports over 35 small, local and handmade businesses, artists and creatives. Take the time to check out fashion, jewellery and homewares that won’t be found anywhere else.

Start planning your coastal getaway at lovecentralcoast.com .

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