Woodenbong (including Grevillia)
Small service town near the NSW-Queensland
Woodenbong is a small town of some 600 people
on the Mt Lindesay Highway just 10 km from the Queensland border in
NSW's Northern Tablelands. It is 798 km north-east of Sydney via the
Pacific Highway (867 km via the New England Highway), about 145 km from
Brisbane and 55 km north-west of Kyogle.
Woodenbong has the natural advantage of being set amidst some
spectacular mountain scenery, including some picturesque waterfalls.
The district is given over to dairying, timber, cattle, potatoes, maize
and grazing.
There is a Family Fun Day in March and the Woodenbong
Show is held in April. At one time an Aboriginal settlement was located
here. Poet Roland Robinson, with permission from the Gidabal clan of
the Bunjalung people, gathered their folklore and translated some into
English verse.
Grevillea is now little more than a locality 26 km
south-east of Woodenbong along the Summerland Way. The 'Keelgyrah' run
was established hereabouts, on the southern bank of the Richmond, in
1848 by George Wyndham of Dalwood (see entry on Greta).
Grevillea was also the headquarters of a Department of Main
Roads scheme during the Great Depression which employed 1152 men in
local road building that was intended to open up grazing land for
closer settlement and dairy farming. One of the roads was that section
of the Summerland Way which now connects Woodenbong to Grevillea.
Things to see:
Tourist Information
The Mobil Service Station is the town's tourist
information outlet, tel: (02) 6635 1300.
Corah's Craft Shop
Corah's Craft Shop is located in Unamgar St and is open
seven days a week.
Tooloom Creek
There is a picnic-barbecue area on the banks of Tooloom Creek.
Ford Timbers
It is possible to arrange a tour of the timber mill
by phoning (02) 6635 1212.
Beaury Forest Loop Rd
To access the Beaury Forest Loop Rd head north-west out of
town along the road to Warwick and turn left after 6 km into the
unsealed road which leads through dry and moist hardwood forest and
grazing lands. After 13 km turn left on to the sealed road to (see
entry on Urbenville).
North Yabbra Forest Loop Road
There is another forestry road which leads to Urbenville
from the eastern side of town. Head south-east (the road is unsealed
after 2 km) through rainforest and moist and dry hardwood forest, past
another of the area's volcanic plugs, known as Edinborough Castle.
About 17 km from Woodenbong turn right back on to the sealed road which
leads to Urbenville. This road takes you through Yabbra Flora Reserve
where there is a picnic area and walking track.
Mt Lindesay
About 10 km north-east of Woodenbong, along the Mt
Lindesay Rd to Beaudesert, is Mt Lindesay. A remarkable mountain it
belongs to the McPherson Range which is part of the state border. This
is a popular spot with those keen on an arduous mountain trek. The last
section is definitely for abseilers only.
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Hotels
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Woodenbong Hotel
Unumgar St
Woodenbong
NSW
2476
Telephone: (02) 6635 1275
Rating: *
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Cottages & Cabins
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Dairy Flat Cottage
Summerland Way
Woodenbong
NSW
2476
Telephone: (07) 5539 5923
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Restaurants
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Woodenbong & District Golf Club
Golf Links Rd
Woodenbong
NSW
2476
Telephone: (02) 6635 1278
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