Enjoy lush country living in northern NSW

If you love cool mountain creeks and rivers, amazing country vistas of rolling hills and farmland, and an artisan vibe, then the towns and villages inland from the coast in northern NSW may be just what you need.

The vibe in these country towns and villages is welcoming and friendly. There are plenty of amenities, delectable eateries, eclectic shopping opportunities and relaxed and friendly locals to welcome you to their little country havens. Oh, and don’t forget the majestic mountain views and a warm year-round climate. What more could you ask for?

Lismore and Casino: Country vibe with city conveniences

If you’re looking for a more relaxed lifestyle away from the big cities but still want all the conveniences, then the city of Lismore or the town of Casino may be exactly what you’re looking for.

Lismore has an amazing community with a diverse population. It’s a city surrounded by nature and the locals embrace a more alternative lifestyle. Here you’ll find plenty of fresh, organic produce and plenty of interesting shops and cafés.

Lismore is home to the major public hospital in the Northern Rivers region, St Vincents Hospital and a day surgery facility, plenty of primary and high schools and even a TAFE and a campus of Southern Cross University. The city also boasts a large artistic community, underpinned by the Lismore Regional Art Gallery, and has its own conservatorium of music.

By contrast, Casino is a farming town and is known as the beef capital of the world. If you prefer that true country vibe in a town that is just a little quieter, then Casino might just be right for you. The town still offers plenty of conveniences with numerous local eateries, shops and sporting clubs.

So if you’re yearning for a more relaxed lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of the city but you’re reluctant to give up all the conveniences that the city has to offer, we recommend you take a closer look at Casino and Lismore.

Murwillumbah, Uki, Tyalgum, Burringbar:
A paradise for creatives and nature lovers

Is your creative side busting to be set free? Are you yearning for a full nature immersion and all the beauty that it offers? If so, then the town of Murwillumbah or the country villages of Uki, Tyalgum and Burringar are surely beckoning.

Let’s face it, it’s hard to be inspired when you’re surrounded by the constant hustle and bustle of the city. Consider instead waking up to the sound of songbirds in the morning and looking out the window to see the majestic tip of Mount Warning towering over the valley below.

This area hosts an enormous variety of local craftspeople and artisans. It’s so much easier to be inspired when nature is on your doorstep and you’re surrounded by like-minded people. A visit to one of the local markets will show you just how diverse the local arts and crafts community really is in these locales.

Even with all this creativity, there are still plenty of amenities for you to enjoy as well. These include primary and secondary schools, a variety of traditional and non-traditional health facilities, plenty of delightful eateries and eclectic shops that you just won’t find anywhere else.

And then, of course, there are the many natural attractions that allow you to immerse yourself any time you feel a need for some much-desired peace and quiet. You can take a stroll through some of the local forest tracks or, if you’re feeling a little more energetic, you can take a hike up Mount Warning for some amazing photographic opportunities.

Mullumbimby and Alstonville:
Combine tree change with sea access

Enjoy lush country living in northern NSW 2

While coastal living has its advantages, there’s a lot to be said for the quieter areas just behind the coast. Consider the quiet towns of Mullumbimby and Alstonville, for example.

These charming towns are nestled in the lush, green hills of the hinterland just behind Byron Bay. In these towns, you can enjoy that tree change that you’ve been longing for, but still be just a short drive away from the glorious coastline that surrounds Byron Bay.

In the hills, the lifestyle is more laid-back and relaxing and you’ll lose yourself in the warm and friendly vibe that these towns are well known for. This area is also a gourmet lover’s paradise with so many delightful eateries where you can find some of the best food available anywhere around the country. With a cornucopia of locally grown produce on hand, local cafés and restaurants pride themselves in offering seasonal menu choices that take advantage of the wealth of high-quality produce available.

If you can’t decide whether you want a sea change or a tree change, why not settle for a home in the hills where the coast is only a short drive away.

Northern NSW: an undiscovered paradise

For a complete tree change, you can’t go past the country towns and villages in the northern NSW region. There’s so much diversity in these different regions that you’re sure to find exactly the vibe that you’re looking for. We love this region and we’re sure that you’re going to fall in love with it too.

Prefer the coast? Learn more about the coastal lifestyle in northern NSW.

To find out what facilities are available, check out our business directory.

We wish to recognise and acknowledge the many generations of local Aboriginal people, known as the Bundjalung Nation, who have lived amongst the forests, rivers, beaches and streams of this beautiful region for thousands of years.

We acknowledge the traditional owners of this land, the Minjungbal people, the Arakwal people, and the Widjabul people of the Bundjalung Nation. We pay our respects to elders – past, present and emerging.