If you’re looking for a weekend road trip from Byron Bay, Brisbane, or the Gold Coast that’s a little more off the beaten path, the search is over. You’re going to Tenterfield!
I wouldn’t blame you for never having heard of this alpine town in the northern New South Wales tablelands, as it somehow manages to fly under the radar.
Tenterfield sits 850m (2789 ft) above sea level in the New England high country region, enjoying warm days and cool nights for most of the year. It’s one of the few places in Australia where you can experience proper winter weather (think near-freezing temperatures overnight and snow-capped mountains).
Being born and raised in New England, USA (Connecticut represent!), I think it’s interesting how New England, Australia also experiences 4 distinct seasons while much of the rest of the country doesn’t. If you’re not a fan of extreme weather, I highly recommend visiting Tenterfield in November like we did (we had the most comfortable spring weather: warm sunny days and cool clear nights).
Tenterfield is about a 3-4 hour drive from Byron Bay, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast, making it a bit too far for a day trip, but just the right distance for a short road trip or weekend trip. The drive there is insanely picturesque no matter which direction you’re coming from.
We drove west from Byron Bay to Tenterfield, via Lismore and Casino. Much of the drive was through pretty farmland and hilly countryside. Then once we climbed up into the tablelands, the scenery transitioned to tall tree forest. I hardly even noticed that we had climbed 800+ meters because I was too distracted by the landscapes we were traversing!
I usually save the verdict for the end of the blog post when I’m reviewing an experience or accommodation, but — SPOILER ALERT — Mirumiru Bubbletent is absolutely AMAZING in every way.
Read Lindsay’s complete review here Mirumiru Bubble Tent: Glamping in Tenterfield | Frugal Frolicker