Holiday houses in Pottsville

Originally known as Potts Point before someone thought to change it to avoid confusion with the chic inner Sydney suburb of the same name, Pottsville is a laid-back coastal town on the Tweed Coast of northern New South Wales. Set back from the main Tweed Coast Road, Pottsville’s small town centre brims with cafes. It’s also home to a hatted (Australia’s prestigious restaurant award) coastal fine-dining restaurant widely considered to be among regional Australia’s best.

But while Pottsville lures foodies from far and wide, it hasn’t lost the relaxed coastal town vibe that has made Pottsville a popular family holiday destination for decades. A residential area spills out along the coast, where a beautiful beach stretches north from the mouth of Mooball Creek (bring your stand-up paddleboard) to Hastings Point. Between Pottsville’s town centre and its main beach lies Pottsville Environmental Park, a verdant swath of coastal vegetation laced with walking trails.

It’s warm enough to swim year-round at the beaches of the Tweed Coast. The balmiest months of the year, from October to April, tend to be Pottsville’s busiest; book accommodation well ahead during Queensland and New South Wales school holidays. Time your visit for March to take in the Tweed Artisan Food Weekend, when culinary events are hosted around the region. During the winter, Hastings Point Lookout at the northern end of Pottsville’s main beach is a great place to spot whales as they migrate along Australia’s east coast between May and November. If you’re visiting on the first or third Sunday of the month, stock up on local produce and art at the Pottsville Beach Markets held in Philip Street Reserve.

Coastal dining

Complementing Pottsville’s fine-dining favourite are a number of cool cafes serving great coffee and tasty food, as well as a handful of more casual dinner options. More top dining options can be found just up the coast in Cabarita, Casuarina, and Kingscliff.

Pottsville Environmental Park

Pottsville’s best-kept secret is a 54-hectare expanse of coastal bushland with more than four kilometres of walking tracks, wetland boardwalks, and viewing platforms. Nestled between two arms of Cudgera Creek, the park can be accessed on foot from the town centre, or you can drive into the heart of the park via Centennial Drive to pick up all four walking trails.

Tweed hinterland

Pottsville is perfectly positioned for day trips into the rolling green hills of the Tweed hinterland. Don’t miss the charming towns of Burringbar, Uki, and Murwillumbah — the latter is particularly well known for its arts scene anchored by the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre and the central M-Arts Precinct. As you drive along the region’s country roads, keep your eyes peeled for farm gate stalls selling tropical fruit or local honey.