Quick Facts
ABOUT THE NORTHERN RIVERS REGION - NSW, AUSTRALIAIntroduction
An intriguing blend of old and new, the North Coast is where the world’s largest expanse of subtropical rainforest meets mountains forged from ancient volcanoes, overlooking 300 kilometres of spectacular coastline.
Endless beaches offers surfing, whale-watching, frolicking dolphins and flocks of seabirds. Inspiring surroundings attract creative personalities – artists, writers and musicians. Colourful local festivals brim with arts and crafts, kites, crystals and local produce.
Statistics & Economic Facts
Population: 262,200
Average age of residents is 39 years
The population is expected to grow to 319,100 by June 2017
Annually the region receives 225,000 international visitors, 1.8 million domestic overnight visitors and 2.7 million daytrip visitors. Tourism employs approximately 7200 people in the region, or 6.8% of the region’s workforce and generates approximately $1.1 billion in revenue for the regional economy.
Major Cities/Towns
Grafton
Casino
Ballina
Lismore
Byron Bay
Murwillumbah
Tweed Heads
Climate
The region lies within a subtropical zone on the eastern seaboard of Australia. Temperatures are generally mild all year round. Mean minimum and maximum temperatures range from 13.2 and 25.5 degrees Celsius. Mean annual rainfall is 120mm and mean number of clear days is 109. (this is a regional snapshot based using Lismore as the largest and geographically central city in the region,from the Bureau of Meteorology site at www.bom.gov.au
Thanks to Northern Rivers Tourism Inc
GETTING THEREBallina Airport is the gateway to Ballina and Byron shires. Ballina is situated on the coast and at the mouth of the Richmond River, while Byron Bay is 30 minutes' drive north past stunning beaches and headlands.
Ballina Airport Qantas Flight Information 02 6686 7301
Ballina Airport Regional Express Airlines information 13 1713
Airport Terminal 02 6686 8385
Virgin Blue - 13 67 89
Byron Bay Airbus 02 6681 3355; 0417 813 355 (transfers from Ballina Airport)
Byron Bay Limousines & Airport Transfers 1800 135 660
Airport Transfers Byron Bay 02 6685 5008
Byron Bay International services most of the Northern rivers region 3 times daily with door to door services.
The Gold Coast Airport at Coolangata is the starting point for a journey into the beautiful unspoilt Tweed area, just a few minutes away. Be seduced by stylish new resorts, great restaurants and bars combined with stretches of long, sandy beaches. Get out and explore the hinterland along the Rainforest Way, a scenic touring route that winds though national parks, rainforests, rivers and heritage towns.
Gold Coast Airport Flight Information
Virgin Blue - 13 67 89; Freedom Air - 1800 122 000; Qantas - 13 13 13
Gold Coast Byron Bay Airbus 0412 552 317
BBI runs express between 6 airports : Lismore, Ballina, Byron ,Coolangatta, Brisbane Domestic and International and also has stops at Gold Coast Bus Station and next to Brisbane Transit centre.
Grafton Airport 02 6642 1744
Lismore Airport 02 6622 2798
Lismore Taxi Service 13 10 08
Lismore Luxury Limousines 1800 004 988
LOOKING AROUND
THE TWEED
Meandering loop drives through the lush, World Heritage-listed rainforests of northern NSW.
The Rainforest Way is a series of loops and trails where you can explore some of the State’s most inspiring sub-tropical rainforests. The bowl of the eroded Tweed volcano is the centrepiece, a dish-shaped caldera some 40 kilometres across. The dramatic spike of Mt Warning, a 1,157m plug of solidified lava, towers dramatically above the forest and the gently meandering Tweed River.
On the valley floor the forest has given way to banana plantations, sugar cane farms and peaceful country towns that seem under siege from the surrounding vegetation.
There are several spectacular national parks to explore here. They form part of the World Heritage Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, recognised as a rare biological wonderland.
To make the most of your journey along the Rainforest Way, drop into the Murwillumbah World Heritage Rainforest Centre to learn about the rare wildlife and botanic splendours of the region.
BYRON SHIRECape Byron is Australia's most easterly point, 153° 39´ east, located on the north coast of New South Wales (see map of Australia below). With its numerous beaches, unspoilt hinterland, and relaxed lifestyle, Byron Bay is a popular tourist destination.
With average summer temperatures of 21C - 28C, and average winter temperatures of 15C - 21C.
Byron Shire has a population of close to 30,000, while the town of Byron Bay has a population of about 9,000.
Byron Bay is located just off the Pacific Highway, 800kms north of Sydney, 175kms south of Brisbane. Airports are located in Ballina (20mins south) or Coolangatta (40mins north) and busses and trains arrive regularly.
Byron HinterlandThe landscape of the hinterland has changed dramatically in the last 200 hundred years. Once covered with giant rainforest trees, today there are remnants of the 'Big Scrub' in the Nightcap National Park and on farm properties. There are also re-growth forests such as Nobles Scrub Reserve at Eureka that have been restored in an effort to create the original forest canopy and provide a haven for rainforest animals.
In 1881, when the farmers occupied their plots of land, the felling of the giant cedar trees and rosewoods turned most of the Big Scrub into pastureland for cows. The high rainfall and red volcanic soil made farming easier than in most parts of Australia. The dairy industry transformed the land, people settled and villages were formed.
Sub-tropical crops thrived in the mild climate and by 1911 banana plantations were popular. You can see the bananas growing on the steep northeast slopes on the way to Mullumbimby.
Avocados, soft fruits, lemon myrtle, blueberries, custard apples and lychees- a regular fruit salad of crops thrive in the area. One of the dominant crops is macadamias. The long rows of tall trees with dark foliage take up to 12 years to mature and produce Australia's indigenous nut.
The most recent agricultural shift has been the upsurge of coffee growers. Rows of coffee plants provide the cafes with a special local brew for their cappuccino.
BALLINA SHIREBallina is situated on the coast on the mouth of the Richmond River. It is a major town with an airport and large commercial and industrial sector. Water features heavily in the hinterland.
Ballina is a mix of contemporary and old buildings and the iconic 'Big Prawn'. Subtropical climate, plenty of services and great beaches.
LISMORE REGION
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Lismore's resident population at June 2001 was approximately 43,388. 66.3% of people live in the urban areas, with approximately 27.7% of residents choosing to live in the rural areas and hinterland.
At a glance...
Lismore experiences mild to warm temperatures all year round with a plentiful supply of rainfall. Sea breezes, location and the areas topography combine to provide a climate which attracts people from all walks of life. |
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| Area |
1267 Square Kilometres |
| Climate |
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| Average Rainfall |
1341mm |
| Mean Summer Temp. |
29.8(max), 16.8(min) deg. C. |
| Mean Winter Temp. |
23.0(max), 6.4(min) deg. C. |
KYOGLE SHIREThe area boasts a wide range of natural assets including the Border Ranges and Toonumbar National Parks, as well as 12 state forests, around the various towns and villages.
For those with an interest in heritage the Kyogle area offers a vast number of heritage buildings, sites and homesteads dating back to the early 1800's, including some with National Trust Listings. The large number of Aboriginal sites attests to the rich Aboriginal history of the area.
RICHMOND VALLEY SHIREThe towns and villages in the Richmond River Valley in Northern New South Wales include Casino, Evans Head, Coraki , Woodburn, Rappville and Broadwater. From the rolling hinterland hills, with views of World Heritage listed national parks to the glorious vista of the Pacific Ocean.
Casino is the commercial centre and the Valley's road, rail and air terminus and host of the famous Beef Week celebrations.
Evans Head has the beaches and headlands.
Coraki basks on a beautiful stretch of the river and retains many Federation style buildings. The Tea Tree Festival in October highlights one of the area's new industries.
Koala sanctuary, caravan park, cane fields and the Broadwater National Park, make
Skiing, fishing, canoeing, cruising, swimming and picnicking in the riverside park, Woodburn is the place to stop a while and enjoy the river.
Rappville has old style pub hospitality and the surrounding timber and beef country.
CLARENCE VALLEY SHIRESituated 600 kilometres north of Sydney, with an airport at Grafton, and linked by rail to Sydney and Brisbane. The Clarence River is a major feature of the region.
The climate is sub tropical, with variations from the mountains to the sea. The historic heritage town on Ulmarra is protected by the National Trust. Maclean is a port on the banks of the Clarence River.
REGIONAL MARKETSFirst Week of the Month
- Brunswick Heads Markets - 1st Saturday of the month
- Murwillumbah Markets - 1st Saturday of the month
- Byron Bay Markets - 1st Sunday of the month
- Pottsville Markets - 1st Sunday of the month
- Lismore Markets - 1st Sunday of the month
- Lismore Car Boot Market - 1st Sunday of the month
Second Week of the Month
- Kingscliff Markets - 2nd Saturday of the month
- The Channon Markets - 2nd Sunday of the month
- Alstonville Markets - 2nd Sunday of the month
- Lennox Head Markets - 2nd Sunday of the month
Third Week of the Month
- Lismore Car Boot Market - 3rd Sunday of the month
- Mullumbimby Markets - 3rd Saturday of the month
- Nimbin Markets - 3rd Sunday of the month
- Pottsville Markets - 3rd Sunday of the month
- Uki Buttery Bazaar - 3rd Sunday of the month
Fourth Week of the Month
- Kingscliff Markets - 4th Saturday of the month
- Bangalow Markets - 4th Sunday of the month
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