Lismore / Northern Rivers
As a popular destination for sea-changers and both domestic and international visitors, Northern Rivers is a key growth region of New South Wales. With a population projected to increase by 30% over the next 15 years, the Northern Rivers region includes the major townships of Lismore, Ballina, Byron Bay, Kyogle, Casino, and a number of other vibrant coastal and rural villages*. The city of Lismore is the tourism gateway for the Northern Rivers region. Settled between lush rainforests and miles of coastline, Lismore is only a short drive from the tourism icons of Byron Bay, Lennox Heads and Ballina. Lismore is also the commercial hub of the Northern Rivers region, and is home to a dynamic combination of industries including:
- tourism
- agriculture and horticulture
- health and community services
- construction and manufacturing
- education and research
Featuring a strong mix of trade- and tertiary qualified workers together with high-quality infrastructure, the Northern Rivers region is set to continue attracting new investment across a diverse range of industries.
Source: Northern Rivers Regional Development Board 2007
- *Australian Bureau of Statistics 2009; Lismore, Ballina, Byron, Kyogle, Richmond Valley LGAs
Lismore / Northern Rivers at a glance
- Population:
- 152,961*
- Location:
- 2 hour drive south of Brisbane; 70 minute flight north of Sydney
Facilities:
- 8 hospitals
- 2 airports
- 4 tertiary education facilities
- 5 shopping precincts
Key Events:
- East Coast Blues and Roots Music Festival (Byron Bay - March/April)
- Primex Primary Industry Exhibition (Casino - June)
- Lantern Parade (Lismore -June)
- Northern Rivers Food and Wine Festival (Ballina - June)
- Byron Bay Writers Festival (Byron Bay - August)
- North Coast National Show (Lismore - October)
