Northern Rivers facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Northern Rivers New South Wales
View south from Byron Bay, the most easterly point on mainland Australia
Northern Rivers Location in New South Wales
Population	313,422 (2022)
• Density	15.11735/km2 (39.1538/sq mi)
Area	20,732.6 km2 (8,004.9 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10)
• Summer (DST)	AEDT (UTC+11)
LGA(s)	Ballina Shire Byron Shire Clarence Valley Council Kyogle Council City of Lismore Richmond Valley Council Tweed Shire
State electorate(s)	Tweed Ballina Lismore Clarence
Federal Division(s)	Richmond Page Cowper
Localities around Northern Rivers: Darling Downs (QLD) South East Queensland Coral Sea New England Northern Rivers Coral Sea New England Mid North Coast Tasman Sea

The Northern Rivers is a beautiful region in the far northeast of New South Wales, Australia. It's located about 590 to 820 kilometres north of Sydney, the state capital. This area is known for its rich river valleys, including the Clarence, Richmond, and Tweed rivers.

The region stretches from Tweed Heads in the north, right next to the Queensland border, down to the southern part of the Clarence River area near Grafton and Coffs Harbour. Key towns here include Tweed Heads, Byron Bay, Ballina, Kyogle, Lismore, Casino, and Grafton. The Northern Rivers is only about 102 kilometres south of Brisbane, Queensland's capital.

Even though it doesn't have official government status, local councils and state departments work together. They focus on things like tourism, education, and managing water. The climate here is mild and subtropical. Important industries include farming, fishing, public services (like healthcare), and tourism. It's also a popular spot for growing special crops and for people who want to retire from city life.

Geography of Northern Rivers

The Northern Rivers region has the Pacific Ocean to its east. To the west, the Great Dividing Range forms a mountain border with the New England region. The border with Queensland is to the north. Here, you'll find the Darling Downs to the northwest and South East Queensland directly north. The southern edge of the region is marked by the Dorrigo ranges. These ranges also form the southern boundary for the Clarence River Basin.

The most important features of this region are the fertile valleys of the Clarence, Richmond, and Tweed rivers. These rivers and their sources give the region its name. The area is also famous for its beautiful white sandy beaches.

Population and Local Areas

The Northern Rivers region is home to several local government areas. These are like local councils that manage services for the people living there.

The population of the Northern Rivers region was about 293,119 people in 2014. The population has been growing steadily over the years. The most populated local area is Tweed Shire Council, followed by Clarence Valley Council and Lismore City Council.

The region has important roads like the Pacific Highway and the Bruxner Highway. The North Coast Line also runs through here, connecting Sydney to Brisbane.

Major Towns and Communities

Boats on the Richmond River at Ballina

The Northern Rivers region has many towns and communities. Some of the larger ones include:

• Ballina
• Byron Bay
• Casino
• Grafton
• Kyogle
• Lismore
• Tweed Heads

There are also many other smaller towns and villages, such as:

• Alstonville
• Bangalow
• Brunswick Heads
• Evans Head
• Kingscliff
• Lennox Head
• Maclean
• Mullumbimby
• Murwillumbah
• Nimbin
• Ocean Shores
• Pottsville
• Yamba

Education in Northern Rivers

The Northern Rivers region offers many educational opportunities. It is home to Southern Cross University. This university has its main campus in Lismore, with other campuses in Tweed Heads and Coffs Harbour.

There are also several campuses of the North Coast Institute of TAFE. TAFE colleges provide vocational training, helping students learn practical skills for jobs. You can find TAFE campuses in towns like Lismore, Ballina, Casino, Grafton, and Yamba.

Sports and Recreation

The Northern Rivers region is a great place for sports and outdoor activities. There are many local sports competitions for different games:

• Association football (soccer) – organized by Football Far North Coast
• Baseball – managed by the Far North Coast Baseball Association
• Cricket – played in the LJ Hooker League
• Rugby league – part of the Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League
• Rugby union – organized by Far North Coast Rugby Union

Many famous sportspeople have come from this region, including:

• Soccer players Craig Foster, Lisa Casagrande, and Terry Greedy
• Athlete Kerry Saxby-Junna
• Cricketers Adam Gilchrist, Lyn Larsen, and Georgia Redmayne
• Rugby league player Ken Nagas
• Rugby union players Kane Douglas, Justin Harrison, Izack Rodda, Rory Arnold, and Richie Arnold
• Hockey player Brent Livermore

Sporting Venues

The Northern Rivers has several important sporting venues:

• Albert Park International Baseball Stadium in Lismore
• Oakes Oval in Lismore
• Crozier Field in Lismore
• Lismore City Rugby Ground in Lismore
• Kingsford Smith Park in Ballina
• Red Devil Park in Byron Bay

Culture and History

The Northern Rivers region has a vibrant culture. It has its own orchestras, like the Northern Rivers Symphony Orchestra in Murwillumbah and the Lismore Symphony Orchestra.

You can also find regional art galleries in Murwillumbah, Lismore, and Grafton. The Tweed Regional Gallery in Murwillumbah is special because it includes the Margaret Olley Art Centre. This centre is named after Margaret Olley, a famous Australian artist who was born nearby. It shows her artworks and even recreates parts of her home studio.

History of Settlement

The Northern Rivers region has a unique history of Italian settlement. A place called New Italy was settled in 1882 by Italian pioneers. They tried to farm the land, which was quite challenging. More Italian migrants arrived in the 1920s and after World War II. They often leased hilly land to grow bananas. When the banana industry changed, many moved into other types of work.

Rail Transport

For over 100 years, the Northern Rivers region was served by the Murwillumbah railway line. This train line helped people travel and transport goods. However, train services on this line were stopped in 2004. There has been some discussion about whether to restart these services.

Images for kids

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  Boats on the Richmond River at Ballina