Description & Facts: Tweed Heads and Coolangatta are twin towns located on the border between north-eastern New South Wales and south-eastern Queensland. Coolangatta is in Queensland and part of the Gold Coast City. Tweed Heads and neighboring suburbs are part of the Gold Coast urban area, but are located in Tweed Shire, headquatered in Murwillumbah. When you cross the wide Tweed River from the south, you remain in New South Wales for around 5km before passing into Queensland. The border is in the built up retail area near the mouth of the river. Where is the border? The border between New South Wales and Queensland winds its way through the towns of Tweed Heads and Coolangatta. With buildings, roads, and other structures spanning the border it is often not obvious which state you are in. This can be important in summer months, when New South Wales operates on daylight savings time, and Queensland does not. If you land at Coolangatta airport from the south, you will touch down in New South Wales, and taxi to the terminal in Queensland. The border is actually the 19th Century survey line of the watershed. When surveyor Evans followed the MacPherson range eastwards he was directed to mark the border and terminate it at Point Danger, however the watershed hit the coast at Currumbin headland some distance north. He drew a direct line from the hill behind Currumbin to what was thought to be Point Danger, thus the border runs parallel to the beach for some kms before terminating at the headland north of the Tweed River mouth. Coolangatta is pronounced with the emphasis on the last syllable, like regatta, and unlike Talangatta. What to see? Point Danger, Boundary Street (Eastern end). Most prominent headland of the Gold Coast and the point where the New South Wales / Queensland border meets the sea. It features a lighthouse, parklands and a barbeque areas. Excellent views in all directions, including far out to sea where whales and dolphins are often spotted. The whale migration occurs in the winter months, and as the numbers increase they become increasingly visible from the shore. Surfers can also be seen riding the waves off Duranbah Beach and Snapper Rocks. Many Australian and world champion surfriders grew up in these waves. This isn't the point that Cook named Point Danger", that is the point to the south near the small island, now called Fingal Head. The error was made long ago, and the names are now too established to change. What to do? Scuba Diving There are several scuba dive companies using Cook Island as their dive location. Cook island is the small island first mentioned by James Cook when he named Point Danger and Mt. Warning in 1770, about 2km offshore. The volcanic rookery island is in unprotected water and intending divers should be aware that this is no barrier reef experience, but the reefs offer interesting diving and the waters are prolific with turtles. Bush Walking The Tweed Shire encompasses the catchment of the Tweed River, which drains the southern slopes of the MacPherson Range, known as the Border Ranges in NSW. There are many inspiring hikes in these ranges, but most require navigation experience in rain forest, and the correct equipment for the time of year. However there are several opportunities for the visitor to taste the bushwalking opportunities. Mt Warning has been dealt with in the "Get Out" section below, and is highly recommended for the hiker who likes the surety of National Park signs and maintained paths. Mt Cougal is the twin peaked feature evident from the coast, standing in front of the larger mountainous area behind, the Springbrook Plateau. The walk to Mt Cougal is unmarked, but the following simple instructions will get you there from the Tweed Shire. Drive to Tumblegum on the Tweed River, crossing the river to the north side at the bridge over the Tweed just south of the township. Follow the signs to Murwillumbah along Dulguigan Rd until Tomewin Rd, turn right to the north. This road climbs to the bord