Tourist Drive 24 – Coast to Country
Hit the Road
Discover charming hinterland villages to the creative hub of the Northern Rivers – Lismore. From Lismore, follow the winding course of the Wilsons and Richmond Rivers, through historic riverside villages, with experiences around every corner.
Take the Bangalow exit off the Pacific Highway or the Hinterland Way to this pretty town, rich in Federation charm. Its main street is lined with historic buildings, a very cool country pub, galleries, excellent local cafes and boutique shopping.
Local tip: Bangalow Parklands (Deacon Street) is a large shady park set alongside Byron Creek and the Bangalow Weir, with a charming rotunda, picnic tables, barbecues, toilets, and a wonderful natural playground for the kids.
Bangalow Markets is held on the fourth Sunday of every month. Wander the hundreds of stalls beneath the huge camphor laurel trees at the Bangalow Showground.
Clunes
Head west along Bangalow Road for the 12-minute drive to the village of Clunes. Clunes boasts beautiful examples of Federation homes and early Australian church architecture. The Clunes Village Park is a great spot to stop with its lush trees and views across the valley towards Alstonville.
The Clunes Store & Cellars, houses a boutique cellar, post office, grocery, cafe and gift store. The shop offers local, sustainable and specialty produce and provisions, while the cafe prides itself on its seasonal, locally sourced menu.
The nearby second-hand bookshop stocks around 25,000 books at reasonable prices, you’ll also find a gift and curios shop inside the store.
Local Tip: Clunes is home to a number of pottery and artist studios that typically open over the holidays and on weekends. Enquire at the general store to find out more!
Local tip: 4 kms west of Clunes, turn left onto Johnston Road to Eltham. You’ll find Antico Emporio a beautiful antique store and the Eltham Hotel, a wonderful country pub with a great menu, boutique accommodation and outdoor beer garden. From Eltham, continue west along Eltham Road to Bangalow Road, turning left to Bexhill.
BEXHILL
Bexhill boasts they have the “friendliest general store” in the Northern Rivers, also famous for its homemade Indian curries and samosas.
They also serve excellent coffee and have a great range of affordable local gifts. The deli next door is a must-see for foodies, especially cheese lovers. It boasts 100 varieties of cheese, along with salamis, hams, Continental groceries, meats and antipasto. They also make up hampers and delicious picnic baskets to enjoy on your travels. Stop in to sample their free cheese tastings offered daily!
Local tip: Visit the Bexhill Open Air Cathedral to enjoy the panoramic view. It’s a popular spot for outdoor weddings and picnics, or a quiet place to ponder.
CITY OF LISMORE
Continue along Bangalow Road to the City of Lismore, the dynamic and artistic heart of the Northern Rivers. The historic, leafy city centre houses an array of fascinating boutiques, antique and curio shops, galleries, street art, and diverse dining scene.
Park alongside the Lismore Regional Gallery (Rural Street) and The Quad, a beautiful greenspace in the heart of Lismore that’s a gathering place for the community.
Lismore Regional Gallery presents energetic and thought-provoking exhibitions and events for the enjoyment of locals and visitors. For what’s on visit www.lismoregallery.org.
Lismore Laneways & Back Alley Gallery (Carrington Street, Eggins Lane and Larkin Lane)
Walk the colourful laneways and marvel at the 60-plus artworks by local and national artists. Some of the beloved public art includes In the Heart, ‘you are here’ landmark by Holly Ahern and Eden Crawford-Harriman. Have your photo taken with the heart, then share and tag #visitlismore.
Lismore boasts numerous leafy, family-friendly parks, nature walks, skateparks, bike tracks and public gardens. Standouts include:
- Heritage Park (Molesworth Street, Lismore) has a wonderful miniature railway train that takes passengers on a circuit around the park. There’s also lots of cleverly designed play equipment, water park, as well as shelters, barbecues and toilets.
- Nesbitt Park (Casino Street, South Lismore) has a mountain bike skills course suitable for beginner to intermediate levels and a professionally designed pump track. There’s also a wheelchair and disability accessible playground, 1km walking/jogging track, toilets, picnic tables and shelters.
Lismore is also the entertainment capital of the region, the city has everything from unique festivals and events to arts and culture, live music, performance and so much more. Check out ‘What’s On’ at visitlismore.com.au
Depart Lismore and head south along Wyrallah Road, stopping at the Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens (313 Wyrallah
Road, East Lismore). The gardens showcase rainforest species native to the Northern Rivers and are a wonderful place to explore and spot koalas, wallabies
and birdlife.
Continue along Wyrallah Road, Wyrallah Ferry Road and Coraki
Road towards Coraki.
Local Tip: About 5.5km south of Wyrallah village,
on Wyrallah Road, stop off at the Aboriginal Bora Ring at the back of the Tucki Tucki
Cemetery. This sacred ceremonial site for the Bundjalung tribes of the region is estimated to be at least 300 years old. A further 2km down the road is the Tucki Tucki Nature Reserve, a koala haven that was planted out in the 1950s by concerned locals to preserve the natural koala habitat. Look high in the trees to spot one of the sleepy locals.
Coraki
Set at the junction of the Wilsons and Richmond Rivers, Coraki means “meeting of water” in the local indigenous language. Its riverside position makes the village popular for boating, fishing and water sports.
Once the busiest inland port in NSW, it’s now a peaceful stopover for tourists keen to camp by the river and relax. Coraki also boasts a popular nine-hole golf course that provides a challenge to players of all levels.
Woodburn
Follow the Woodburn-Coraki Road to Woodburn, known as “the traveller's rest”, a peaceful town on the banks of the Richmond River. It’s an excellent spot for recreational water sport activities including rowing, sailing, swimming, fishing and water skiing. The riverside beach, park and picnic facilities provide the perfect spot to relax. The town has a number of popular cafes and eateries, a bakery and pub bistro.
This is the official end of the signposted Tourist Drive 24, however Bundjalung, Broadwater and Bungawalbin National Parks are a short drive from Woodburn, and the popular fishing and seaside town of Evans Head is only a ten-minute drive away.