About this Region - Tourist Information
Holiday Destination
It's no surprise that this region, with more than 250 days of sunshine each year on average, and its year round mild and subtropical climate, is one of Australia's favourite holiday destinations.
Although we have to say that it also gets it's fair share of rain ... well ... it is rainforest country!
Visitor Information Centres
Normally funded by local councils and member businesses, and staffed by volunteers, extensive tourist information is available at Visitor Information Centres in the Northern Rivers and Gold Coast hinterland.
Visitor Information Centres are located in Ballina, Beaudesert, Casino, Kyogle, Lismore, Murwillumbah and Byron Bay, and generally provide a full range of services including booking accommodation and tours. Books, arts, crafts and souvenirs are usually on display and available for purchase.
Tourist information is often also available at Community Technology Centres, and cafes or general stores in smaller villages and hamlets. Many accommodation houses will also have local visitor information, tours and attractions brochures available, and can usually assist with booking or advise.
Accommodation
Plentiful accommodation ranges from camp sites in national parks to beachside caravan and holiday parks. Choose from family holiday apartments and pet friendly farmstays for the kids, or treat yourself to a romantic couples only getaway at an award winning luxury beachfront resort or hinterland rainforest retreat.
Would you prefer to be at the beach or in the hinterland*? In a rainforest or by a river? Downtown in the thick of the action or chilling out in a quiet village? Take your pick, it's all here.
Whether it's the beach or the bush, you'll find that the towns and villages are a great place to relax, unwind and enjoy the natural attractions of the region.
Ballina Accommodation © D Palmer, Big Volcano
*Aussie for countryside
Things to See & Do
Or perhaps you'd like a more active active or adventurous holiday? There are plenty ways to get an adrenalin kick!
Take a horse ride through stunning scenery, a canoe trip on a quiet river or dam, bushwalk through the rainforest, or maybe enjoy a thrilling balloon flight above the stunning scenery.
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There are many day tour operators providing diverse experiences. Choose from coach tours offering traditional style tours to a number of scenic spots and tourist attractions, or for the more individual touch, go with a 4WD tour.
Self Drive Tours and Attractions
If you'd rather drive and explore to your own schedule, there are a number of local guides and maps with tour routes and scenic drives such as the Lions Road, Summerland Way and Rainforest Way,which are available from local tourist information centres, service (petrol) stations and newsagents.
The region boasts a number of tourist attractions, many with nature and outdoor themes, for example Tropical Fruitworld and Madura Tea Estates in the Tweed Valley, and Thursday Plantation (Ti tree) and Macadamia Castle just north of Ballina. Or you can explore the human history of the region with a visit to one of our many museums or historic places.
Photo © courtesy of Northern Rivers Tourism
For a more ethereal bent, a visit to the award winning attractions of the Crystal Castle in the Byron hinterland will appeal, or you can get out of this world completely at the Springbrook Astronomy Research Observatory, nestled in the Gold Coast hinterland,
Perhaps you'd like to experience our local culture and colour with a visit to one of our famous weekend markets and farmers markets? Local produce, arts and crafts and entertainment make for a great day out. And no matter where you are in the region, there's sure to be one close by!
For detailed information, drop into the nearest visitor information centre (VIC) for brochures, tourist guides and maps.
National Parks and Reserves
There is ready access to numerous National parks, reserves and forests, including five of Australia's World Heritage National Parks, which are part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage listing.
With the highest densities of species in Australia in many families of flora and fauna recorded, these parks comprise "Australia's Green Cauldron", and are among the best that Australia has to offer, with spectacular scenery and walking tracks which range from short 200m circuits through various types of rainforest, to challenging overnight and longer treks for the experienced, through huge areas of pristine wilderness.
Photo © David Palmer for Big Volcano Tourism Marketing & Media
For more information on local accommodation, attractions, tours and services, the Big Volcano Visitor Guide is a good place to start.
We hope this information is useful. Enjoy your Holiday!
References and Readings
- Signposts in a rual village © Big Volcano® Tourism Marketing & Media
- Photo: Ballina Accommodation © Big Volcano® Tourism Marketing & Media
- Photo: Tyalgum Spring Fair 2012 © Big Volcano® Tourism Marketing & Media
- Photo: Tweed Valley from Border Ranges National Park © Big Volcano® Tourism Marketing & Media
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