Northern Rivers Information

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Northern Rivers Region - Information

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Also in the area...

Explore other great holiday locations in Northern Rivers.

Ballina
The town of Ballina, centred on an island at the mouth of the Richmond River, is surrounded by 32 kilometers of white, sandy beaches and seemingly endless... read more
Border Ranges National Park
A Word Heritage Listed rainforest, the Border Ranges lies on the New South Wales/Queensland border. It encompasses 31,729 hectares of scenic rainforest... read more
Brunswick Heads
Located at the mouth of the Brunswick River, Brunswick Heads is one of a string of small villages along the coast between Byron Bay and Tweed Heads... read more
Byron Bay
From humble beginnings, Byron Bay underwent many transitions from dairy farming to major meat exporter, followed by sand mining and whaling. In the last... read more
Cabarita Beach
With large areas of protected wetlands, Cabarita has only limited development, creating a quiet, relaxed holiday atmosphere. Bounded by Nature Reserve... read more
Clarence River
The Clarence River being the largest river on the eastern seaboard lends itself particulary well to estuary fishing. From its birth place in Queensland... read more
Evans Head
One of the Northern Rivers best kept secrets - the laidback fishing village of Evans Head - is ideal for travellers of all ages. 'Evans' is the 'Jewel... read more
Grafton
One of Australia’s most beautiful provincial cities, Grafton is renowned for its Jacaranda trees, graceful old buildings, sporting and cultural facilities... read more
Hastings point
Hastings Point is located south of Tweed Heads on the coast and is north of the towns of Chinderah, Kingslcliff and Cabarita Beaches. The coastline here... read more
Iluka
Iluka has long been famous for fishing and serious anglers never visit without a frypan in the fishing gear. People also come to this beautiful coastal... read more
Kingscliff
Just south of Tweed Heads, Kingscliff is a beach community, offering a wide variety of holiday accommodation. It is a popular family destination and provides... read more
Lennox Head
The laid-back village of Lennox Head, a scenic 10 minute jaunt up the coastroad, is a Mecca among surfers, with world-renowned breaks at Boulders and... read more
Lismore
They call it the Rainbow Region. In this unspoiled, lush and laid back pocket of northern New South Wales is a city that boasts the culture and convenience... read more
Maclean
Three minutes off the Pacific Highway is the river town of Maclean, with a relaxed lifestyle that offers everything you’ve dreamed of.Explore all the... read more
Mount Warning
This World Heritage rainforest partk (2210 ha) is located in far north-eastern NSW and can be reached by leaving the Pacific Highway at Murwillumbah and... read more
Mt Warning National Park
Mount Warning National Park is 2455 hectares in size, and is located in the Tweed Valley 12 kilometres south-west of Murwillumbah off the Kyogle Road... read more
Mullumbimby
Just a short drive from Byron Bay and set against the magnificent backdrop of Mount Chincogan. This is an excellent stop-off for exploring the beautiful... read more
Murwillumbah
On the banks of the Tweed River, Murwillumbah has the spectacular Mt Warning as its backdrop and patch-work canefields along its river. Pioneer settler... read more
Nimbin
Nimbin is situated on the doorstep of a World Heritage listed rainforest, Nightcap National Park.In 1973, Nimbin became the focus of national attention... read more
Pottsville
Pottsville is a seaside town located on the beautiful North Coast of New South Wales. Other nearby beaches include Hastings Point and Cabarita... read more
Tweed Heads
Located at the mouth of the Tweed River, the Twin Towns - Tweed Heads (New South Wales) and Coolangatta (Queensland) share a main street that straddles... read more
Yamba
Yamba is situated at the mouth of the Clarence River in northern New South WAles and is the biggest river on the east coast of Australia. Yamba has a relaxed... read more

Northern Rivers Information

Stretching from the mighty Clarence River up to Tweed Heads on the Queensland border and out to the foothills of the Great Divide, the Northern Rivers region of NSW offers a wealth of diverse holiday experiences.

In this one compact region, you’ll discover the endless stretch of Pacific Coast beaches that gave birth to the Australian surfing legend; lush rolling countryside dotted with quaint and quirky townships; rugged cattle country; mystical rainforests; and deep river gorges disappearing up into the mountains.

From its 300kms of pristine beaches to the World Heritage-listed rainforests of the hinterland, it’s easy to see why Northern Rivers NSW was the birthplace of Australia’s environmental movement.

Some 20 million years ago, the Mt Warning volcano rose high above the coastal plains, trapping moisture-laden air and spreading its rich volcanic soil. In these perfect conditions, a vast rainforest grew in wild isolation until the first white settlers arrived just 200 years ago.

From the early days of white settlement when timber-getters logged out the great stands of red cedar, the Northern Rivers has attracted an eclectic mix of cultures. In Maclean on the banks of the Clarence River, the Scottish heritage of the town’s founding fathers is still alive and well. In Little Italy, a boatload of shipwrecked Italians established a unique European enclave in the bush. In Nimbin and Byron Bay, the counter-cultural revolutionaries have joined forces with environmentalists to create their own style of alternative communities.

In more recent years, the influx of city escapees seeking a more meaningful lifestyle has added a touch of sophistication. Health spas, spiritual retreats and luxury hideaways are now nestled in the hills and valleys of the hinterland, offering five-star accommodation and your choice of masseurs, alternative therapists, naturopaths and pampering practitioners to soothe body and soul.

For food lovers, traditional seaside havens like Yamba, Ballina and the Tweed Coast and country centres like Bangalow, Grafton and Lismore are now home to cosmopolitan cafes and chic restaurants that have attracted the attention of the most respected food guides. For an even more back-to-nature foodie experience, you can pick up your own fresh produce at the colourful art, craft and farmers’ markets held every weekend in a different town, or meet the ocean and river trawlers when they deliver the day’s catch to the many local seafood co-ops.

Whether your idea of the perfect holiday is lazing on a sun-drenched beach, bushwalking through pristine rainforests, tootling through picture-postcard scenery along winding country roads, hunting for antiques and quirky treasures at sleepy villages and country markets, or pampering the spirit with a relaxing regime of massages and therapies …

…in Northern Rivers NSW you’ll be more than spoiled for choice.