Murwillumbah: Art Deco, History and Art

Murwillumbah combines a historic business district with arts and cultural offerings. The streets feature original Art Deco facades and details; buildings from several eras shape the look of the central business district. There are also galleries, a cinema and other offerings at the M|Arts Precinct. These different cultural highlights can help you decide what interests you most during your stay.

Architecture in the central business district

The central business district includes buildings from the late 19th century and the Federation period, as well as a number of preserved interwar buildings. The different periods make the architecture a tangible focus for exploring the town: rather than finding just one historic style, you’ll encounter buildings from several eras.

Art Deco is also part of Murwillumbah’s streetscape. Original facades and details can be discovered along the streets. Those interested in architecture can appreciate these visible features alongside the older buildings and interwar houses as another point of interest. The town centre therefore offers both a broader history of its built environment and distinctive Art Deco features.

Art, cinema and exhibitions

The M|Arts Precinct offers small art galleries, a cinema, restaurants, events, a café and a bar, as well as creative retail and food offerings. This mix caters to a range of cultural and culinary interests. Events and individual businesses may change; if a particular offering is important to your plans, check before your visit.

In the area around Murwillumbah, the Tweed Regional Gallery exclusively presents exhibitions featuring works by regional and national artists. This distinguishes its exhibition program from the broader mix of galleries, cinema, dining and retail at the M|Arts Precinct. If you’re deciding which cultural experiences to focus on, you can consider these two types of offerings separately rather than planning them as a single program.

Planning your trip

The Murwillumbah Visitor Information Centre is located in the Old Railway Station, just before the bridge entrance to the central business district. If you’re planning to visit the Centre for information, check its current opening arrangements in advance. The Murwillumbah Visitor Centre stocks souvenirs and merchandise, including local produce and gift baskets; this offering may change.

When looking for a holiday rental in Murwillumbah, the kind of stay you want can be a useful starting point: are you mainly interested in the architecture of the business district, visiting art exhibitions, or the wider range of art, cinema and dining? The answer can help you assess Murwillumbah as a destination based on your interests. That way, you can focus on what you’d like to discover in Murwillumbah.

Discover more destinations: Casuarina, Crabbes Creek, Limpinwood, Cabarita Beach, Carool, Eungella, Mt Burrell, Banora Point

For the wider travel overview: Tweed Shire Council.