THE ART AND SOUL OF MURWILLUMBAH
Set in the heart of a caldera, and surrounded by sugar cane fields, farmlands, subtropical rainforest and world heritage-listed national parks, Murwillumbah is home to a diverse and inclusive community, and a flourishing food and arts scene inspired by the region’s fertile soil and dramatic landscapes.
A Charismatic country town
Visitors to Murwillumbah, a charismatic country town in the heart of the fertile Tweed Valley, are often struck by its contrasts. And its authenticity, because this is a town that dances to the beat of its own drum. While its roots lie firmly in farming, take a wander
through the centre, and alongside the Work ‘N’ Country Gear store, Horse and Rider Emporium and sprawling antique shops, you will find the Victorian Goddess shop, vegan cafes, boho homewares, organic food stores, a stylish patisserie, several up-market eateries, and a cannabis store. Add in a smattering of grand old hotels,
stylish Art Deco and Federation-style architecture, a renowned art gallery, an innovative arts precinct, vibrant markets, a Hare Krishna community, and you can see why Murwillumbah is often referred to as melting pot. For a population of
just under 10,000 people, there’s a lot going on.
A creative hub with an eclectic and diverse community defined by mutual respect
Describing the town as, “a creative hub with an eclectic and diverse community defined by mutual respect,” Krystella von Goethe started The Hut Collective in 2022 to showcase local designers, artists and artisans. “We are blessed in Murwillumbah, there’s a constant renewal of energy here,” she says, pointing out the river that runs to the sea, the proximity to the border, and a scenic location in a lush caldera with iconic views of the majestic Wollumbin (Mount Warning) in the distance. The area was first inhabited by the Ngandowal and Minyungbal speaking people of the Bundjalung Country, who lived sustainably on the land for thousands of years and are recognised as traditional owners and custodians. The name Murwillumbah is thought to mean either ‘a good place to camp by the river’ or ‘a good place to catch possums.’ The cedar cutters arrived in the 1840s, followed by settlers who planted sugar cane and bananas, and grazed dairy cattle on the cleared land. By the early 1900s, Murwillumbah was well on its way to becoming a bustling river town serviced by paddle steamers and schooners that plied the Tweed River loaded with produce, people and provisions. Much of the town burnt down in a fearsome blaze in 1907. In the years that followed, as the town prospered on the back of the dairy boom, new buildings arose in the Federation and Art Deco style,
many of which survive today.
Explore What Murwillumbah has to Offer
Grab a brochure for a self-guided Art Deco or Town Centre Heritage Walk from the Murwillumbah Visitor Information Centre, located at the beautifully restored Railway
Platform – which is also the head of the hugely popular Northern Rivers Rail Trail.
Art deco highlights include the Austral Cafe (circa 1919), with its nostalgic vibe, vintage decor, black and white photos, and old school malted milkshakes. Then there’s the charmingly restored pastel pink Imperial Hotel (circa 1931) with magnificently tiled floors, atmospheric booths and handsome Chesterfields. For a touch of retro glam make
sure to visit The Regent. Inspired by the Empire State Building, it’s also been restored to its full historical Art Deco glory, and boasts an eclectic program of films, theatre and live music. There’s a licensed bar and cafe too, with lovely views of town from the balcony.
Local brewers, Spangled Drongo had planned a brewery and taproom downstairs at The Regent, but when 2022 brought the worst floods in recorded history, co-founder Tom Cornish converted the flooded site into a volunteer and response hub. Over the coming weeks the team provided more than 27,900 meals to those in need and raised more
than $200,000 in funding. With emergency services overwhelmed, community was at the heart of Murwillumbah’s response and recovery. “So many amazing and smart people came into help,” says James Perrin, Spangled Drongo Director. “It really was an incredible time where, during the polarisation and separation of COVID, we had this
acute crisis with devastating impacts that brought people together. Instead of fighting over food and toilet paper, everyone was willingly giving and sharing with each other. It was this paradox where the most beautiful sentiments grew out of
so much loss and destruction.” No stranger to floods, resilience is part of Murwillumbah’s DNA. So too, is a flourishing art scene that spills out onto the streets and cafes in the form of colourful murals, pop up events, art installations, sculptures and galleries. Next to The Regent, you will find the M-Arts precinct, a funky warehouse style venue of studios and galleries where you can meet the artists and attend art and music events and art classes. While the biannual Murwillumbah Arts Trail is an inspirational event that showcases over 100 artists in town and the surrounding villages. Then there’s the Tweed Regional Gallery which houses a prestigious collection of Australian art, and includes the Margaret Olley Arts Centre, where the home studio of Australia’s most celebrated still life painter is recreated to stunning effect.
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Markets, Festivals and Events
Murwillumbah Farmers Market (Wednesday 7am – 11am) is widely acclaimed as the best in the region, with an amazing array of fresh food, artisanal products and live music. The atmospheric Finders Keepers Market (3rd Saturday of the month) is also popular. Other events to keep an eye out for include the Festival of Performing Arts, the Murwillumbah Show, and Kinship Festival an annual celebration of
Aboriginal art, dance, community and culture.
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