Byron, Ballina and Bangalow. |
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| 1a | |
| Bangalow is a pleasant town, no longer on the highway, but still very dynamic. Pity it is that Carmen and Lucy are no longer there with their Good Earth restaurant. Though Mexican Mick's is still running in nearby Byron Bay. Excuse my nostalgia for the seventies! Unfortunately, nowadays much of this region has yuppy overtones as the creative people moved on and the monied people moved in. At least they are in the main ecologically aware. | |
| As you head up the highway from Grafton, passing Maclean and Yamba the big river country of the Clarence changes into the scrubland that stretches about 35 miles to Woodburn. Then once again you are travelling big river, although the highway does not hug the Richmond the way it did the Clarence. Upon reaching Woodburn you can continue with the highway through Broadwater and its sugar mill to Ballina, gateway to the Byron coast. Or you can head north towards Lismore via a small network of country roads. And then either east to Ballina or the more northerly road to Bangalow and Mullumbimby. Or you can avoid the Byron area and head north to Nimbin and Murwillumbah. Each route has its advantages and drawbacks. Nimbin as "hippy" capital of Australia, which once upon a time Byron aspired to but is now content to meander towards becoming yuppy capital of Oz. | |
| Links.
Back. Or Onwards Up the Tweed. |