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

Lara PiconeBy Lara Picone
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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.

Oaks Casuarina Santai Resort pool in the Tweed
The Oaks Casuarina Santai Resort has recently been revived.

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.

SUPing in Pottsville South
Go SUPing in Pottsville South.

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.
Lara Picone
Working for many of Australia’s top publications, Lara Picone has had the distinct pleasure of writing, editing and curating content about the finer things in life for more than 15 years. Graduating from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, her editorial foundation began at Qantas: The Australian Way magazine, before moving on to learn the fast-paced ropes of a weekly magazine at Sunday Magazine and picking up the art of brand curation at donna hay magazine. Pivoting a near-problematic travel lust into a career move by combining it with storytelling and a curious appetite, her next role was as Deputy Editor of SBS Feast magazine and later Online Editor of SBS Food online. She then stepped into her dream job as Editor of Australian Traveller before becoming Online Editor for both International Traveller and Australian Traveller. Now as a freelancer, Lara always has her passport at-the-ready to take flight on assignment for the Australian Traveller team, as well as for publications such as Qantas Magazine, Escape and The Weekend Australian. As ever, her appetite is the first thing she packs.
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Your guide to a summer staycation in Sydney

    Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
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    Discover the magic of a Sydney staycation in summer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.

    Sydney City is magical in summer. Warm summer evenings beg to be spent sipping cool cocktails at one of many al fresco and rooftop bars. Ferries and buses are ready to transport travellers to the best nearby beaches for salty days on the sand. National parks and rainforests are waiting to be explored. And the city’s events calendar is packed, from live music to cultural attractions. All elements that call for a Sydney staycation.

    Discover where to eat, stay and play for the perfect local getaway.

    Where to stay

    The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

    the Fullerton Hotel Sydney
    Sleep inside a 151-year-old icon.

    Amid the bustle of the perfect Sydney staycation, one needs a place to escape to and recharge. Enter, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney . The hotel is an icon in its own right – nestled inside the 151-year-old building that was originally Sydney’s General Post Office, its heritage-listed sandstone walls and Victorian renaissance grandeur have been carefully preserved – providing a rare chance to sleep within Sydney’s history.

    Despite its fascinating history, the hotel isn’t short on modern, luxurious comforts. Rooms and suites are available in both the modern high-rise with gorgeous views over the clock tower and lively city below, or inside the historical post office building itself.

    the Fullerton Hotel Sydney Heritage Long Suite bathroom
    Heritage rooms maintain their old-world style.

    Either way, guests can enjoy sophisticated touches, including a deluxe bed and pillow menu, Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers, a digital concierge, a Vittoria coffee machine and amenities from the Balmain bathroom collection.

    The team at this five-star hotel provides excellence and a quality experience for all their guests, while amenities like a gym help with a well-rounded stay. For a peaceful moment with sweeping city views, enter The Fullerton Club Lounge on level 28. This private haven for dining and relaxation is available to any guests staying on the hotel’s club floors and suites.

    Add to this a central location in the CBD’s Martin Place, with easy access to Sydney’s top attractions, and convenience meets style.

    Where to drink & dine

    1. The Bar

    the Fullerton Hotel afternoon tea at the bar
    Indulge in the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.

    Inside The Fullerton Hotel Sydney’s lobby, The Bar does more than sling a few delicious cocktails (although it certainly does that well). Its brown leather chairs and glass ceiling create the perfect, almost al fresco, setting for the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea .

    Served daily from 12 to 4 pm, the afternoon tea is a nod to the cherished social occasion it once was during the Victorian Renaissance era. People like to dress up for this afternoon tea, and if you’re lucky, a pianist often sits down at the on-site grand piano, just adding to the elegance.

    The afternoon tea is served high tea style, offering reimagined British flavours of the Victorian Renaissance era with a unique blend of  Australia’s culinary heritage. A sweet layer offers delights like a Malted Milk Envelope (a milk mousse layered between two biscuits), Bakewell Pudding (a super tasty egg-based pudding), and Apple Charlotte.

    On the savoury layer, expect finger sandwiches with fillings like cucumber, egg and smoked salmon. While classic pinwheels and stuffed eggs almost make the menu. And, of course, all finished off with traditional scones served with cream and mixed berry jam.

    Can’t fit in a whole afternoon tea? Be sure to at least order a slice of the 32-layered chocolate cake, a decadent mix of dark chocolate crémeux, fresh whipped cream, and Valrhona Azélia chocolate sauce. ⁣

    2. The Place

    the Fullerton Hotel the place dining
    Dine in the stunning GPO atrium.

    On level one of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney lives The Place – the hotel’s restaurant, in an atrium overlooking the former GPO. Here, dine on Modern Australian cuisine – think fresh, local seafood and a Riverina steak sandwich – along with a touch of Singaporean signature dishes, like Thai-style green curry or chicken satay. All in the shadow of the GPO clock tower, enjoying the GPO atrium’s natural light.

    3. Local gelato

    Couple enjoying ice-creams at First Fleet Park, The Rocks
    Enjoy ice cream in the sunshine. (Image: Destination NSW)

    What is summer without ice cream and/or gelato? Luckily, there are plenty of options just a short walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, whether you’re craving a midday pick-me-up or an after-sun treat.

    What to do/see

    1. GPO Heritage Tour

    the Fullerton Hotel Sydney lobby
    Be awed by the building’s history.

    Want to know more about the building you’re staying in? The Fullerton Hotel Sydney offers a complimentary 90-minute GPO Heritage Tour. Follow a knowledgeable tour guide to discover the stories, tales and legends of the former Sydney General Post Office building.

    From the iconic clock tower (completed in 1891) to the black-and-white tiled staircase at 1 Martin Place, which was once the main entrance to the GPO and today serves as a prominent feature of the building to the 24 stone faces (mascarons) on the Martin Place side of the building. Part of the 1880s-era facade (designed by architect James Barnet), each represents different states, countries and continents.

    2. Circular Quay

    aerial of circular quay sydney
    Catch a ferry from Circular Quay. (Image: Destination NSW)

    An easy walk or light rail ride away from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, lies the bustling Circular Quay. Here, you can sit for a drink and nibbles at the Opera Bar, or head into the iconic house itself for a show. It’s also a major ferry port, becoming your gateway to Sydney’s beaches, Luna Park and even Sydney Zoo.

    3. Royal Botanic Gardens

    view of circular quay from Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden
    Wander through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Just beyond Circular Quay, discover Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. Wander through this 30-hectare, heritage-listed, botanical garden – exploring its differing sections, from Australian native botanicals to garden beds of vibrant flowers to towering groves of international trees.

    It’s also the perfect place for a picnic, so pick up supplies before you come and enjoy a spot on the grassy meadow looking out into the harbour.

    4. Theatre Royal

    a show at Theatre Royal
    Take in a show at Theatre Royal. (Image: Daniel Boud)

    Just a one-minute walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, take in a show at Theatre Royal. Built in 1976, the theatre has been offering a broad range of entertainment since the 1990s. Expect a show roster that ranges from the classics (like Cats) to the modern) like Pretty Woman: The Musical).

    Start planning a summer stay in Sydney worth remembering at fullertonhotels.com/fullerton-hotel-sydney.