Area Attractions
Berger Houseboats operates a modern, large fleet of Tweed River Houseboats in northern New South Wales, just south of the Queensland border and the bright lights and excitement of the Gold Coast.
Experience the clean white beaches of Tweed Heads and the tranquil waters and bird life around the inlets, bays, broadwaters and islands of the Tweed River.
You can dip your line in and try to catch dinner, get active and go swimming, take the dinghy to a local village and soak up the atmosphere, or you can relax and just let the world drift by.
Meandering through the prehistoric Tweed Caldera, the Tweed and Rous rivers boast majestic views of spectacular Mt Warning (where dawn greets Australia each day) and the surrounding ranges.
Surrounded by five World Heritage listed national parks, as you cruise, you will get a very different view of the lowland subtropical rainforest, massive ancient trees, dramatic mountain ranges and secluded estuaries.
From our Tweed Marina base you can venture downstream along toward the mouth of the Tweed River, taking in the skyline of Tweed Heads and sandy bar of Letitia Spit.
Journey south (upstream in boating terms), and you'll discover the delights of sandy beaches at Ukerebagh Island Nature Reserve, Chinderah Bay, a favourite for fishing, Stott's Island Nature Reserve and historic Tumbulgum village.
For the longer boating hires, further upstream you'll journey past Condong, a community based around the Condong Sugar Mill. You won't miss the huge smoke stack - which emits only water vapour from the co-generation plant opened in 2008.
As you pass by Murwillumbah, look out for the unique graffiti street art on the levy wall downstream of the bridge, and stop to check out the Birds of the Region murals on the upstream street side!
As you advance through picture postcard rural landscapes, you'll pass Tweed River Regional Art Galley, perched high on a hill.
Get as far as Bray Park weir, and you'll truly be in the middle of it!
Along the 60 or so kilometres of sheltered waterways there are riverside pubs, eateries, stores and art galleries to enjoy.
Fishing
By far the most popular activity on a Berger Houseboat holiday is the chance for fishing.
Fishing on the Tweed offers anglers the opportunity to experience great fishing year round, due to the layout of the estuaries. Calm water fishing can be had regardless of prevailing winds and weather.
Berger Houseboats includes the publication, "Fishing the Tweed River", which has maps of the river and estuaries, tide charts, fishing spots, boat ramps, NSW Fisheries information on sizes and bag limits and more, for keen fishers.
The estuaries of the Tweed River are famous for Australia's largest mangrove jack.
Or try for dusky flathead, whiting, trevelly, blue swimmer crabs and mud crabs, with excellent Winter fishing for bream, tailor, queenfish, school flathead and muIloway.
Offshore Fishing
And if you fancy some offshore action, charter fishing tours can be arranged with collection directly from the houseboat and being returned with your catch afterwards.
The offshore fishing grounds are all within close proximity to the mouth of the Tweed River. Throughout the summer and winter seasons a variety of pelagic species are available such as black marlin, wahoo, mackeral, kingfish, cobia, samson and many more.
Reef fishing will also bring rewards for snapper, pearl, perch, parrot and trag jew.
Tumbulgum
Tumbulgum a small peaceful village situated on the bank of the Tweed River, was one of the first settlements in the valley. It's name is an aboriginal word meaning "meeting of the waters" as the Rous River joins the Tweed River here.
It has been a busy commercial and maritime centre from the middle of the last century.
The first "grog shanty" (unlicensed hotel) started trading here in 1858 and the first licensed hotel was established in 1887.
Tumbulgum was originally a cedar loggers settlement and many of the early buildings were constructed of red cedar and have been gazetted by the National Trust.
These days, activity at Tumbulgum centres on the river. A public wharf is conveniently located near the shops, and bait and tackle can be had by those who fancy a lazy day's fishing.
The village has an Art Gallery, Coffee Shop, General Store, Newsagency and Commonwealth Bank branch catering for most needs. The area's popular watering hole is the historic Tumbulgum Tavern where the food is excellent.
The pioneers' cemetery near the village is also well worth a visit.
Murwillumbah
© Courtsesy of Big Volcano Tourism M&M
The seat of the Tweed Shire Council, Murwillumbah also serves as the commercial centre for the smaller villages and residential developments in the valley.
A traditional style agricultural centre, Murwillumbah is located nearly exactly in the middle of the Mt Warning caldera, with the nearby Mount Warning commanding almost every view.
You'll hear locals refer to it as "Mur-bah" and debate the claim that Murwillumbah means "Place of many possums" in the local aboriginal dialect.
With a number of historic buildings in the art deco or federation style along Main Street, many of the shop fronts reflect the era, while there are also a tempting range of al fresco cafes and eateries scattered along its length for you to sit, relax and enjoy the ambience of a small country town.
To page top