Dynamic dining in northern NSW

Fast facts

• Where lush organic farmland meets the bountiful sea
• 800 km north of Sydney and 180 km south of Brisbane
• One hour flight from Sydney to Ballina airport

Why go there

The Northern Rivers region marries incredible beaches and lush hinterlands – both of which are a bountiful source of produce. The area is also the nation’s New-Age capital – equalling, in food terms, progressive ideas about dining and a pioneering approach to organic production and presentation of great eats.

Things to do

Shift down a gear in Mullumbimby, home to the funky likes of Station Street’s Poinciana – for a hit of latte-soy-dandelion – and the slick little Milk and Honey wood-fired pizzeria.

In the hinterland, discover the Threeways café at Malcolm’s Corner or Harvest Café at Newyrybar and Pogel’s Wood Café at Federal.

Join a fishing tour and catch your own prize red rock cod, snapper, mullet and bream.

Inspect the best in Northern Rivers farming at the weekly Bangalow organic markets.

Don’t miss

• Cobia or bar cod cooked Moroccan-style in a tagine – alongside hearty chowder and a killer chilli mud crab at Fins, Byron Bay.
• Lounge on daybeds in the bar at Byron Bay’s dish and work your way through a brilliant cocktail list with moreish tapas dishes.
• Redefine your idea of a lazy afternoon at Rae’s at Watego’s, enjoying salmon gravlax with crisply deep-fried oysters and wasabi vodka crème fraîche with a glass of chardonnay.
• Bangalow’s wonderfully unreconstructed pub, the Bangalow Hotel. It stands in contrast to the very contemporary likes of Bang Thai, Utopia Café and Satiate restaurant.

Events

• Casino Beef Week in May includes the Miss Casino Beef Week, a country music talent quest, field days at the local studs, whip cracking, bush poets and, naturally, a whole lotta beef.
• August sees the Herb Festival in Lismore, showcasing every which way with herbs from the kitchen to the medicine cabinet.
• A Taste of Byron held in October is a celebration of the local bounty.