All roads seem to lead from Woodburn, with the town acting as a junction for roads to Alstonville, Ballina, Casino, Coraki, Evans Head, Lismore and many other places, so country drivers looking for a convenient stop should consider Woodburn’s Riverside Park, with shady palms and gazebos, and nearby shops. The Broadwater and Bundjalung National Parks are a short drive away.

INFORMATION

• Population – 505
• Transport Services – Bus
• Council – Richmond Valley Shire

Although their village had ceased to exist by 1944, the New Italy Museum complex showcases the history and lifestyle of these hardworking settlers who worked hard on the land to keep their families, while also growing grapes for wine, keeping silkworms and making their own salami and cheeses. The buildings of mudbrick and local timbers house many relics and photographs, along with displays of various Italian regions. The museum also has a restaurant and café area, and there is extensive Aboriginal cultural display in an adjacent building.

INFORMATION

• Transport Services – Bus
• Council – Richmond Valley Shire

The uncrowded, long sandy beaches draw in both fishermen and surfers, and the main beach (north of the breakwater) is patrolled by lifesavers in the holiday seasons and on weekends. The favourite spot for serious boardriders is the swell that sweeps around Goanna Headland, a mythical site of great importance to the Bundjalung Aboriginals who have occupied the area for thousands of years.

There are also shallow, sandy beaches along the Evans River estuary, which are safe for children and have plenty of shade for parents keeping an eye on them. The Broadwater and Bundjalung National Parks are nearby and offer interesting walks through littoral rainforest, heathland vegetation, unspoiled beaches and the opportunity to explore some Aboriginal culture.

Prawns were the fishing fleet’s catch of the day for many years, with the port being the first in the state to catch them in commercial quantities, and there are still good catches of school and king prawns brought in. Tuna fishing is now also an important part of the local fishing industry.

INFORMATION

• Population – 2613
• Transport Services -Bus, Light Aircraft
• Council – Richmond Valley Shire

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But one of Australia’s original and native therapeutic remedies is what Coraki is really known for today. In the past two decades, tea tree oil has become big business. The tea trees grow naturally in the region, and the oil extracted from the leaves was long known as a folk remedy and powerful antiseptic. By WWII tea tree oil was part of every soldier’s kit. However the introduction of synthetic antibiotics saw the demise of the humble oil, until its recent resurrection. Australian tea tree oil is now used in dozens of different healthcare products and is exported world-wide. “The Tea Tree Capital” celebrates with the Tea Tree Festival every October.

INFORMATION

• Population – 1223
• Transport Services – Bus
• Council – Richmond Valley Shire

Casino developed from a safe crossing over the Richmond River, discovered by the early settlers who travelled overland from the Clarence and established a huge cattle station named “Cassino.” A mis-spelling by an early surveyor left the town with its current name.

As one of Australia’s leading country centres, Casino offers a range of services to the rural population, and also host the huge Primex Agricultural Expo each June, which attracts exhibitors from around Australia and visitors from all over the region and into rural Queensland. The Agricultural Show in October is another popular event with residents and visitors alike.

Situated at the junction of the Lismore-Murwillumbah line and central to rail freight routes, Casino also offers daily passenger services to Murwillumbah, Brisbane and Sydney. Daily return fights to Sydney are also available from the local airport. The town is also the hub of major east/west and north/south transport routes, as the Bruxner Highway passes through to link the Northern Tablelands with Lismore, while the Summerland Way connects Casino with Brisbane and Grafton.

The Richmond River is popular for picnics and sightseeing, and the Platypus Pool, below Irving Bridge, sometimes offers a glimpse of these rare creatures. There are also many parks with picnic facilities and sporting venues, and adjacent the golf club is the Jabiru Geneebinga Wetlands, a sanctuary for native birds and wildlife, which has a mini railway which has regular running days and provides a link with Casino’s past as a major railhead.

There is a wide range of accommodation available to visitors to the town, with restaurants and clubs offering food and entertainment.

INFORMATION

• Population – 11,000
• Transport Services – Bus, Rail, Air
• Council – Richmond Valley Council

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Huge trucks carry in the cane from the many surrounding farms, and during the crushing season, from early June to the end of the year the landscape is often lit up with spectacular cane fires. While the mill is operating a plume of steam can be seen rising high in the air, and tours of the mill are frequently available.

INFORMATION

• Population – 504
• Transport services – Bus
• Council – Richmond Valley Shire