Sally’s guidebook
Food Scene
Best local cafes & restaurants..
Izakaya is like a little piece of Japan right at our doorstep. It's like stepping into an authentic Japanese restaurant in a hidden back alley of Tokyo with welcoming staff and food to match!
5/18 Philip St, Pottsville
02 6676 2554
Mon Closed
Tue Closed
Wed 5:30–8:30pm
Thu 5:30–8:30pm
Fri 5:30–8:30pm
Sat. 5:30–8:30pm
Sun Closed
36 locals recommend
Izakaya Potts
18 Philip StIzakaya is like a little piece of Japan right at our doorstep. It's like stepping into an authentic Japanese restaurant in a hidden back alley of Tokyo with welcoming staff and food to match!
5/18 Philip St, Pottsville
02 6676 2554
Mon Closed
Tue Closed
Wed 5:30–8:30pm
Thu 5:30–8:30pm
Fri 5:30–8:30pm
Sat. 5:30–8:30pm
Sun Closed
Consistently great coffee, using one of my favourite beans, Allpress! They also do a great breakfast bowl :)
6/1 Coronation Ave, Pottsville
02 6676 0988
Mon 6am–4pm
Tue 6am–4pm
Wed 6am–4pm
Thu 6am–4pm
Fri 6am–4pm
Sat 6am–4pm
Sun 6am–4pm
32 locals recommend
Corner Stop Espresso Bar
1 Coronation AveConsistently great coffee, using one of my favourite beans, Allpress! They also do a great breakfast bowl :)
6/1 Coronation Ave, Pottsville
02 6676 0988
Mon 6am–4pm
Tue 6am–4pm
Wed 6am–4pm
Thu 6am–4pm
Fri 6am–4pm
Sat 6am–4pm
Sun 6am–4pm
Consistently good food, we've tried many of their dishes and they never disappoint! Cocktails are great too and although the restaurant is set within a resort environment, the mood and atmosphere is cosy and inviting and outdoor undercover seating is perfect in summer.
7/7 Bells Blvd, Kingscliff
02 6674 2022
Mon 5:30–9pm
Tue 5:30–9pm
Wed 5:30–9pm
Thu 5:30–9pm
Fri 12–2pm, 4–9pm
Sat 12–2pm, 4–9pm
Sun 12–2pm, 4–9pm
30 locals recommend
Mahsuri Thai
7 Bells BlvdConsistently good food, we've tried many of their dishes and they never disappoint! Cocktails are great too and although the restaurant is set within a resort environment, the mood and atmosphere is cosy and inviting and outdoor undercover seating is perfect in summer.
7/7 Bells Blvd, Kingscliff
02 6674 2022
Mon 5:30–9pm
Tue 5:30–9pm
Wed 5:30–9pm
Thu 5:30–9pm
Fri 12–2pm, 4–9pm
Sat 12–2pm, 4–9pm
Sun 12–2pm, 4–9pm
Best and biggest burgers ever!! Along with the chunky cut chips you can't go wrong here for a casual bite. Can highly recommend the black bean burger which comes with a warning to share if you're not a big eater :)
30 Tweed St, Brunswick Heads
02 6685 1631
Mon 7am–9pm
Tue 7am–9pm
Wed 7am–9pm
Thu 7am–9pm
Fri 7am–9pm
Sat 7am–9pm
Sun 7am–9pm
41 locals recommend
Old Maids Burger Store
30 Tweed StBest and biggest burgers ever!! Along with the chunky cut chips you can't go wrong here for a casual bite. Can highly recommend the black bean burger which comes with a warning to share if you're not a big eater :)
30 Tweed St, Brunswick Heads
02 6685 1631
Mon 7am–9pm
Tue 7am–9pm
Wed 7am–9pm
Thu 7am–9pm
Fri 7am–9pm
Sat 7am–9pm
Sun 7am–9pm
Multi award winning high profile chef chose sleepy seaside village of Pottsville to open his first restaurant! He's a local boy who focuses on fresh local northern rivers produce.
51 locals recommend
Pipit Restaurant
8 Coronation AveMulti award winning high profile chef chose sleepy seaside village of Pottsville to open his first restaurant! He's a local boy who focuses on fresh local northern rivers produce.
For something special book at Paper Daisy at Halcyon House. Exceptional food, service, decor and atmosphere. Halcyon House was listed as one of the 50 best boutique hotels in the world.. visit and you'll see why :)
74 locals recommend
Paper Daisy
21 Cypress CresFor something special book at Paper Daisy at Halcyon House. Exceptional food, service, decor and atmosphere. Halcyon House was listed as one of the 50 best boutique hotels in the world.. visit and you'll see why :)
Go for the best wood fired pizza around and the gnocchi!!
51 locals recommend
Milk and Honey Mullumbimby
59a Station StGo for the best wood fired pizza around and the gnocchi!!
Casual, fresh, fast and yum!! Highly recommend the share platter and the juices and smoothies hit the spot!
35 locals recommend
Yami
1 Park StCasual, fresh, fast and yum!! Highly recommend the share platter and the juices and smoothies hit the spot!
Neighbourhoods
Must see towns and villages to visit..
A beautiful little seaside village with great beaches, cafes and boutique shops. Something for everyone here with surf beaches, river swimming and kayaking and Torakina Beach a great family spot for river/beach swimming. Big open parks and walks along the river and shops. Go to the library to pick up a fairy trail map for little kids or go fishing, hire kayaks or electric bicycles for the big kids. For the shoppers, make sure you don't miss Fabulous Mrs Fox and the markets are the first Saturday of the month. Make sure you visit Old Maids on the main road into Bruns for awesome burgers and the best chunky cut chips in town including vegan options. For something fresh and healthy, Yami's do great fresh middle eastern food, drinks and smoothies. Best coffee in town is at the Footbridge Cafe who also do a mean golden latte!
308 locals recommend
Brunswick Heads
A beautiful little seaside village with great beaches, cafes and boutique shops. Something for everyone here with surf beaches, river swimming and kayaking and Torakina Beach a great family spot for river/beach swimming. Big open parks and walks along the river and shops. Go to the library to pick up a fairy trail map for little kids or go fishing, hire kayaks or electric bicycles for the big kids. For the shoppers, make sure you don't miss Fabulous Mrs Fox and the markets are the first Saturday of the month. Make sure you visit Old Maids on the main road into Bruns for awesome burgers and the best chunky cut chips in town including vegan options. For something fresh and healthy, Yami's do great fresh middle eastern food, drinks and smoothies. Best coffee in town is at the Footbridge Cafe who also do a mean golden latte!
The quintessential northern rivers village known for all things organic and natural. Great cafes, organic and bulk food grocery stores and boutiques including homewares, fashion, hemp and bamboo products. Must visits are Santos for organic food supplies and healthy food and smoothies, Punch & Daisy for more healthy food and great coffee, Mullum Herbal Dispensary and Hemp Store, Paseyo for their Buhda bowls and awesome self serve vegan ice cream and chocolate sauce! Just stroll the main streets for a few hours or the day, then head to Bruns for a swim on your way home :)
180 locals recommend
Mullumbimby
The quintessential northern rivers village known for all things organic and natural. Great cafes, organic and bulk food grocery stores and boutiques including homewares, fashion, hemp and bamboo products. Must visits are Santos for organic food supplies and healthy food and smoothies, Punch & Daisy for more healthy food and great coffee, Mullum Herbal Dispensary and Hemp Store, Paseyo for their Buhda bowls and awesome self serve vegan ice cream and chocolate sauce! Just stroll the main streets for a few hours or the day, then head to Bruns for a swim on your way home :)
This one speaks for itself! Must do's are Wategos Beach and the lighthouse walk, The Pass, Main Beach especially as the sun sets whilst sipping on fresh coconuts listening to the buskers. Fave food places are Asia Joes, Fish Mongers, Miss Margarita (all in town) and Treehouse at Belongil Beach is fully licences and great for a night out!
530 locals recommend
Byron Bay
This one speaks for itself! Must do's are Wategos Beach and the lighthouse walk, The Pass, Main Beach especially as the sun sets whilst sipping on fresh coconuts listening to the buskers. Fave food places are Asia Joes, Fish Mongers, Miss Margarita (all in town) and Treehouse at Belongil Beach is fully licences and great for a night out!
An historical boutique town set in the hinterland. Visit for shopping, coffee and markets. Organic farmers market every Saturday morning and huge local market every fourth Sunday of the month.
235 locals recommend
Bangalow
An historical boutique town set in the hinterland. Visit for shopping, coffee and markets. Organic farmers market every Saturday morning and huge local market every fourth Sunday of the month.
Sightseeing
Must see places..
Drive to the headland or park at the bottom and walk to the river mouth and along the beach up to the headland. Stunning views north and south to Byron Bay, the most easterly point in Australia. Perfect spot in whale watching season. Great for river mouth swimming , surf beaches, rock pools, park, walks and picnics.
25 locals recommend
Hastings Point Lookout
Yugari DriveDrive to the headland or park at the bottom and walk to the river mouth and along the beach up to the headland. Stunning views north and south to Byron Bay, the most easterly point in Australia. Perfect spot in whale watching season. Great for river mouth swimming , surf beaches, rock pools, park, walks and picnics.
Cabarita Beach, Cabarita Cove and South Beach (or Back Beach) are stunning. Depending on the wind direction, there's normally a protected spot at one of these beaches. Stunning views, a great boardwalk to the top of the headland. Great for whale watching or just watching the surfers. Higher than Hastings Headland there are views to the far north and south. Take the walkway through the nature reserve between Cabarita Beach (at the Cabarita Hotel) to Cabarita Cove/headland.
124 locals recommend
Cabarita Beach
Cabarita Beach, Cabarita Cove and South Beach (or Back Beach) are stunning. Depending on the wind direction, there's normally a protected spot at one of these beaches. Stunning views, a great boardwalk to the top of the headland. Great for whale watching or just watching the surfers. Higher than Hastings Headland there are views to the far north and south. Take the walkway through the nature reserve between Cabarita Beach (at the Cabarita Hotel) to Cabarita Cove/headland.
Doma Cafe! Enough said. If you like Japanese you'll love this place :) Having said that in the school holidays make sure you don't go at peak eating times. It's a bit of a drive but a beautiful one and this place gets packed! Moonshine Coffee Rosters are just two doors down and the Hills Emporium on the corner and the little pottery shop around the corner are all worth the stop. Nearby/on the way are Mullumbimby, The Crystal Castle and Bangalow.
63 locals recommend
Federal
Doma Cafe! Enough said. If you like Japanese you'll love this place :) Having said that in the school holidays make sure you don't go at peak eating times. It's a bit of a drive but a beautiful one and this place gets packed! Moonshine Coffee Rosters are just two doors down and the Hills Emporium on the corner and the little pottery shop around the corner are all worth the stop. Nearby/on the way are Mullumbimby, The Crystal Castle and Bangalow.
Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens
81 Monet DrTweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre
2 Mistral RdHiking, views, Mavis's Cafe on the return trip. Leave at first light to avoid the heat!
299 locals recommend
Mount Warning National Park
Mount Warning RoadHiking, views, Mavis's Cafe on the return trip. Leave at first light to avoid the heat!
Stunning waterhole swimming in the heat of summer. Stop at Newrybar to stroll through the local retail collective and take your pick of some great cafes.
135 locals recommend
Killen Falls
38 Killen Falls DrStunning waterhole swimming in the heat of summer. Stop at Newrybar to stroll through the local retail collective and take your pick of some great cafes.
Natural Bridge
Entertainment
Hotel Brunswick
4 Mullumbimbi StGreat beer garden with live music. A local fave!