Go on a 4WD Safari or Cruise the River by Houseboat

Mt Warning National Park in the Northern Rivers region

By TRACY PARKER

After a comfortable night's sleep in your queen size bed it's time to enjoy a country-style breakfast before taking a closer look at the four World Heritage national parks in the area.

Never Never Safaris run one-day, small-group 4WD Adventure Tours which incorporate all the very best the area has to offer, including a traditional Aussie barbecue lunch.

Your Hillcrest hosts, Clive and and myself, will drive you to the pickup point in Murwillumbah and the Never Never Safari driver will deliver you safely home to Hillcrest at the end of the day.

Tour the area on horseback

Horse riding more your thing? Visit Numbinbah Valley for Numbinbah Trail Rides and tour the area on horseback.

These rides can be as easy or as advanced as you wish, with horses suitable for all abilities.

Maybe it would be a good idea to have a massage back at Hillcrest in the afternoon to recover from the morning's exertions? No problem, a fully qualified masseuse can come any time by appointment, or we can mix you one of our famous aromatherapy baths.

Cruise the local rivers

For a completely different view of the area you can hire a fully equipped houseboat from Len and Wendy at Tweed River Houseboats. Spend a couple of days gently cruising the local rivers, stopping off at the quaint riverside towns and villages for some craft shopping and to sample the local brew.

Your floating home comes complete with all crockery, cutlery and bedding, as well as fishing tackle and crab pots. Wendy will even do your grocery shopping for you so all you have to do is step aboard, have a quick lesson on how to handle your floating home, before setting off for your Tweed adventure.

• This article was written by Tracy Parker who said she not only has travelled a lot but absolutely loves this area. English by birth, she emigrated to Australia more than 20 years ago. No children, loves animals, cooking, a nice drop of red and a good book. Tracy and Clive Parker are your hosts at Hillcrest Mountain View Retreat at Crystal Creek via Murwillumbah.

Next page: Festivals in the Valley

• Discover Tweed Valley
• Go Fishing or Scuba Diving
• Mt Warning and Murwillumbah
• Go on a Safari or Cruise the River
• Tweed Valley Festivals