Travel

Countryside Stalls Local Produce

During this edition, we had a wonderful time exploring the countryside towards Wardell and around Rous. Why not take a scenic drive to discover these beautiful areas. Along the way, why not visit the numerous roadside stalls offering a wide range of local products from flowers, fruits and vegetables to eggs, nuts and honey. Although the stalls will change as the products come in and out of season, below we created a list of some of the items we found on our journey.

Wardell Road Flowers, lemons, mandarins, limes, tomato chill relish, pecans, bananas, pumpkins, free-range eggs, manure and honey

Dalwood Road & Fosters Lane Avocados, macadamia nuts, pumpkins, avocados, limes, lemons, grapefruits, spinach, silverbeet, coriander, free-range eggs and ginger.

Victoria Park Road and Lane Oranges, cucumbers, avocados, custard apples and citrus

We would love to create a page on our website for countryside stalls, if you have a stall in the 2477 area, please contact us so we can inform the community and visitors to our region.

A Country Getaway Alstonville Country Cottages Celebrating over 17 years Each cottage features beautiful of being a family owned and views of Uralba Valley and/or the operated business, Owen and Aria ocean. Woodhead continue to welcome visitors to Alstonville Country The grounds surrounding the Cottages (located just behind the cottages include farm animals to historic Alstonville Cemetery). feed, in ground pool, pizza oven The privately landscaped cottages which can be used for retreats, are set on 43 acres including a events and regular gatherings rainforest walk to Duck Creek (enquire for rates). which is habitat to the rare bird-wing butterfly. Please give Owen and Aria a call on The eight (pet friendly) cottages and to ensure they can provide you are fully self contained with either with the very best price available. 1 or 2 bedrooms and can sleep and a dedicated meeting room 02 66 281 696 to book or enquire up to 7 comfortably, with large Alternatively, please visit www. private verandahs, BBQ’s and alstonvillecottages.com or follow views, inspections are welcome. us on Facebook.

Family owned & operated, our 8 cottages are fully self contained with either 1 or 2 bedrooms & can sleep up to 7 comfortably. Pet friendly with large private varandahs and BBQ’s. Each cottage features beautiful views of Uralba Valley or the ocean. Set on 43 acres the grounds surrounding the cottages include farm animals to feed, rainforest walk, in ground pool, pizza oven & a dedicated meeting room which can be used for retreats, events & regular gatherings.

T: 02 6628 1696 alstonvillecottages.com Contact Owen and Aria to book or inspect

Suburb Profile

Wardell is a small village that many do not realise has a connection with the hilltop village of Alstonville, as some people may not know Wardell shares the 2477 postcode. Currently located on the Pacific Highway, South of Ballina, Wardell also provides access to Alstonville and Lismore via Meerschaum Vale, a leisurely scenic drive through the hills and valleys.

Wardell in the 1850s was a riverside settlement for the cedar getters but was known then as Blackwater. The name Wardell was eventually used as the suitable timber trees thinned out and the lands around the immediate area were cleared for livestock and sugarcane. Sugarcane is still the primary industry; however, there is much more on offer worthy of mentioning.

Wardell offers more than just a quiet place to relax on the river bank or a place for those looking for a day out. There are great places to have a picnic under the shady Moreton Bay figs; and you can also visit the Wardell Pub, or take a walk to the family-friendly park with a covered picnic table, BBQ and toilet facilities.

The Wardell Pie Shop has pies which have earned the legendary status given to them over the years; they have a delicious menu of amazing pies with all your classics along with a few unique flavours full of filling and buttery, flaky pastry. We, of course, had to sample them to be sure, and they were terrific. store and beauty salon able to provide stylish and affordable clothing and accessories, and a range of beauty services.

Not far from the central area of town, you can visit the Wardell Sport and Recreation Club for a round of golf or a lovely meal with friends and family. The Wardell Angling Club is also a must for anyone keen on wetting a line, whether you enjoy fishing from the bank or along the picturesque jetty on either side of the river. On the Southside of Wardell, you can also launch your boat off the ramp and have the cleaning tables at your disposal on return.

Directly south of the Wardell Bridge, River Drive takes the scenic route through the cane fields along the banks of the Richmond River. River Drive also provides access to Empirevale, Patches Beach and South Ballina.

Other places worth stopping in for are Oldboy’s Flowers down Wardell Road or take your family, friends or the whole workplace to a friendly or competitive round of footgolf (think of golf with no sticks or soccer on a golf course). Either way, make sure you have a go it is great fun, and almost anyone can join in.

On your return from Wardell, why not take the scenic route through the beautiful area of Meerschaum Vale. As you drive along, numerous roadside stalls are offering a variety of local products for you to take home. Read more about the Countryside Stalls in our article on page 24.

Wardell Village

The contact details for the businesses and clubs mentioned throughtout this article are listed below:

Wardell Pie Shop

Richmond Street, Wardell (02) 6687 9877 www.facebook.com/wardellpies

Foot Golf

Bath Street, Wardell 0425 806 917 or 0402 783 521 www.footgolf.org.au/Wardell

Wardell Sport & Recreation Club

Bath Street, Wardell 0438 395 917 www.facebook.com/wardellsportandrec

Wardell Angling Club

0405 857 717 www.facebook.com/Wardellanglingclub

Oldboy’s Flowers

Wardell Road, Wardell www.oldboysflowers.com.au

Simply Fashion and Beauty

Richmond Street, Wardell (02) 6683 4078 www.simplyfashionandbeauty.com

Wardell Nursery & Landscape

Bath Street, Wardell (02) 6683 4359