Wander down Fingal Street to the foot bridge over the river. Keep an eye out for rays and fish swimming downstream below. Then take a walk along the beach and soak up the lovely scene of dog walkers, surfers and early morning dippers (bonus points if you’re there for a spectacular sunrise).

Old Maids is just around the corner, and has a brilliant brekkie burger. We also love Footbridge Cafe - located (you guessed it) a skip and jump from the foot bridge over the river.

Torakina is our pick for a family-friendly dip. Right around the corner is the surf beach. At high tide, why not join the locals for a jump in the river. Or rent a SUP or kayak and go for a paddle! Photo: Oli_Ayo

At Resould, Lou’s small store is packed with Parker furniture, tiki barware and local art. Lou made our gorgeous lamp shades. Down the street is Oscar & Keane - Oscar is the town’s most handsome Spaniard. Take an old highway servo and add locally-sourced vintage of every stripe and description

Small-batch ice cream with indigenous ingredients served from the back of converted camper. Think emu egg ice cream, Federal finger limes, and Davison plums. Tends to be open Friday to Sunday. 21 Mullumbimbi Street

Trouble San is the new kid on the block in Bruns. A pan Asian fine diner with a tiki touch, and views across the river. There’s no better place to be when the sun’s going down. 2 The Terrace

Home cooked modern Mexican. Fish Empanadas, grilled corn and a dedicated tequila and mezcal list. 5/3 Fawcett Street

The neighbourhood comes together at the sidewalk tables and cozy inside booths at St Maries. Pizzas, negronis, and natural wines that hit all the right notes. Corner of Fingal and Tweed Streets.

Strap yourselves in for a wild ride at this converted movie house - now a live performance venue for burlesque, comedy and off the wall circus troupes. BYO bubbles.

In Murwillumbah, this is one of Australia’s best regional galleries. Some may come for Margaret Olley’s reconstructed Paddington home, but it has a superb collection of other artists and hosts excellent visiting exhibitions. It’s part of a growing art scene, including the shipping container artist studios at the M|Arts Precinct and Keith, a cafe and bar with a rotating series of art shows.

Luxe bathhouse and spa with a wine bar on the side! Social place to relax and soak in the hot mineral pools, wood-fired sauna and cold plunge pool,

Bucolic bike ride or stroll through the Northern Rivers countryside, across bridges and through glow worm tunnels. You can rent bikes in Mooball or Murwillumbah, or bring your own!

This is a quiet gem hidden down a laneway in Mullum. Have a massage, soak in a spa bath, sweat in the steam room. It’s a garden spa, so baths are outside and covered.

In our humble opinion, this is the best farmers market in the Northern Rivers. Shop for local bananas, Cooper Shoot tomatoes, big juicy Ballina prawns, plus fresh baked bread from nearby Crabbes Creek. Stay for an interesting breakfast. Open from 7am every Friday morning.

You’re gonna wanna beer, here. It’s craft beer (plus food trucks on weekends). If your thirst isn’t quenched here, try Husk Distillery near Murwillumbah, Red Earth Brewery’s barn location near Cudgel or Stone & Wood just outside Byron.