The Tweed’s natural beauty

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a no-fail way to give yourself a boost, an easy-as treatment that could help your body as it lifts your spirits? Actually, there is. A good hit of oxygen helps every part of our bodies function better, from our digestion to our immune system. That’s why a walk in the wild, drawing in big breaths of unpolluted, oxygen-rich air, is the best way to fix whatever ails you. The Tweed offers plenty of places to enjoy a natural high: here are some of our favourites.

It’s not just locals who think the lush rainforests that spread over the border from northern NSW to southern Queensland are something special. These distinctive forests have scored a World Heritage listing for their flora and fauna, much of which is found nowhere else in the world. And it’s one of the best places to unwind and lose yourself in the natural beauty of Australia. The rainforest in Nightcap National Park is home to some of the area’s best hikes. Join Vision Walks Eco Tours for the 13km loop that takes you to the base of Minyon Falls, which cascades 100m from a sheer drop. Take your swimming costume if you would like to cool off with a dip and feel refreshed after that long walk. Looking for a hike that is just a little less strenuous? Protestors Falls are just as lovely, and the return trip is just 1.5km.

You don’t have to put in a lot of effort to enjoy the most famous hikes in Border Ranges National Park. Take the Pinnacle Walk: although it’s just a 600m return trip, it offers one of the best outlooks in the area, with 360-degree views taking in the mighty Wollumbin (Mount Warning) peak and a panorama of escarpments and forests stretching all the way to the coast. At dawn when the rising sun outlines the silhouette of Wollumbin – it’s well worth the early start which will set you in the right mindset for the day. Just as memorable is the 1.5km Border Loop track, which gives you views into the forest canopy. Look carefully in the treetops and you may even spot some of the local koalas.

For many visitors, it’s the wildlife of Springbrook National Park that gives visitors a deeper connection with Australian native animals. Depending on the day, you may spot goannas, pademelons or some of the colourful birds, ranging from cheeky yellow-tailed black cockatoos to the rare and elusive Albert’s lyrebird. The wildlife isn’t the only noteworthy inhabitant of this park, however. Look a bit closer and you will discover that the plant life is just as abundant as the wildlife. The hoop pines that grow here, for instance, are living dinosaurs, dating back to the Jurassic Age, 180 million years ago. The rock formations, such as the Natural Bridge are accessible on a well-kept trail. The cave by the Natural Bridge is home to thousands of glow-worms.

You won’t need shoes, but you will feel like you are walking on water when you are gliding along Cudgen Creek on a stand up paddleboard with the team from WaterSports Guru. They offer lessons and gear for hire as well as a mindful tour of the mangroves that will have you soaking up the serenity and listening to the bird songs – truly immersed in nature.