Tweed makes Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027 list
Named alongside the Red Centre, the Northern Rivers region is recognised for slower-paced travel. Residents welcome its profile while weighing the prospect of more visitors against housing pressures.
The Tweed region is one of two Australian destinations on Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027 list, alongside the Red Centre. The annual selection, reported by The Guardian, highlights places offering less crowded travel and experiences that invite visitors to slow down.
Adjacent to Byron Shire, the Tweed includes Murwillumbah, agricultural areas and arts venues such as M’Arts. Its appeal, as described by residents, lies in its natural beauty, creative identity and strong community ties.
The new attention brings a familiar tension: residents quoted in The Guardian value the region’s character, while some worry about increased tourism. One resident voiced concern that it could become “another Gold Coast”.
Housing costs are also a pressure. The Guardian reports Tweed house prices have nearly doubled since 2019, as people moved from cities with greater spending power; it does not specify the source or method behind that comparison.
The region has absorbed change before. The Northern Rivers Rail Trail opened in 2023, and residents drew on community networks during floods in 2017 and 2022. For locals, the listing puts a wider spotlight on a place whose draw extends beyond its scenery.
