Bangalow & Federal

Bangalow

Bangalow is a delightful nineteenth-century streetscape of tall, verandah-clad buildings housing a wonderful array of shops selling Oriental carpets and rugs, Tibetan artwork, Japanese kimonos and silk clothing, exotic homewares, books and art.   The village also has a variety of cafes and restaurants, so you can stroll the shops and then replenish your energy with lunch or dinner.

Bangalow has a child- and dog-friendly park down by the river, where you can walk under huge shady trees and the children can paddle in Byron Creek.  Generations of Bangalow kids learned to swim here, and it's still a tranquil and peaceful escape from the bustle of Byron Bay.

The Bangalow Community Market, held on the fourth Sunday of each month at the Bangalow showground, is a showcase of local produce, including clothes, jewellery, skin care products, fresh food, plants and trees, and all manner of art and craftwork.  You can park in the primary school and while away several hours under the camphor laurel trees, have lunch or coffee, treat yourself to a massage AND do all your shopping.

Every Saturday morning from 8-11am the Bangalow Farmers Market is set up in the carpark behind the Bangalow Hotel.  Here you'll find wonderfully fresh salads, herbs, tomatoes, fruit, vegetables and plants, as well as eggs, beef, bread, coffee, sauces, pickles, oils and jams, all produced locally.

In May, the thrills and spills of the Billycart Derby enthall visitors and locals in what's become a major annual event.  In November, the Bangalow Show takes over the showground and reminds visitors of what agricultural shows used to be about: animals in the ring, cookery competitions, contests and fireworks.

Find further information for all these events and much more in the Book of Bangalow, available from the Byron Visitor Centre.

Directions: Drive out of Byron Bay along Jonson St, into Browning St and turn right at the roundabout into Bangalow Road.  Follow this road out of town and, opposite the high school, just before the golf course, turn right and follow Bangalow Road up the hill to Bangalow, about 11km away.  Alternatively, take Ewingsdale Road out of Byron Bay, turn left onto the Pacific Highway in the direction of Ballina and exit to Bangalow/Lismore after about 6km.

Federal

Federal is a small village with a general store and art gallery about 25 minutes drive from Bangalow.  Follow the Coolamon Scenic Drive and Coorabell Road and come back to Bangalow along Binna Burra Road.

Federal is surrounded by macadamia farms and the lush country for which the Northern Rivers Rainbow Region is famous.  Take a little longer and stay in one of the gorgeous guesthouses that dot this countryside, seriously chill out under the gigantic fig trees and treat yourself and the family to a special experience.  Out here, away from the bustle, you'll be sure to make lifelong friends and be coming back for more.