Welcome to Woodburn
Well-known by regular travellers of the Pacific Highway, Woodburn is a delightful and peaceful town on the banks of the Richmond River. While few people know the story of its exciting past, today it is known as ‘the travellers’ rest’, and is a wonderful place to stop, stretch and relax.
The river has always been an important part of life in Woodburn. In early days large vessels, small craft and ferries, which for 100 years were the only means of traversing the region, were built here. When the roads were merely tracks, the river was the highway, alive with sailing ships, ocean steamers and riverboats.
Today, the river is an excellent focal point for recreational water sport activities. Woodburn is the Southern Gateway to the world heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests of Australia and the Rainforest Way touring loop.
Welcome to New Italy
New Italy is a small community located just 15km south of Woodburn on the Pacific Highway. Settlement was established in 1882 when Italian immigrants from the region of Veneto in northern Italy took up a conditional purchase farm of 40 acres. By the mid-1880s, about 50 holdings of an aggregate area of more than 3000 acres were under occupation, and the Italian population of New Italy had increased to 250. It was a small farming community growing fruits and vegetables including grape vines. In the late 1950s the regional significance of the settlement began to be recognised and the Bicentennial Museum was opened in 1989.
New Italy had its beginnings in 1880, when poor farming families from the Veneto region in Northern Italy were beguiled by Frenchman, Marquis de Rays, to purchase land in a phantom paradise in the Pacific named La Nouvelle France (an imaginary kingdom east of Papua New Guinea).
On their arrival they found there was no promised colony. After enduring disease and starvation in the festering tropics, the survivors were eventually brought to Sydney in April 1881. Over time the majority reunited at what is now called New Italy on some of the last land available for selection in northern New South Wales. As the community grew, establishing a fledgling silk industry, it embraced the diverse cultures of the region. They commemorate the stories of the expeditioners and those families who established the vibrant community of New Italy, carved out of the Australian bush.
Woodburn & New Italy at a Glance
- Location: Pacific Highway stopovers on the Richmond River, 15 minutes inland from Evans Head.
- Known For: Woodburn is “The Travellers’ Rest” on the river; New Italy is Australia’s historic 1882 pioneer Italian settlement.
- Top Attraction: Historic New Italy Museum Complex featuring mud-brick buildings, Italian Pavilion, Glass Art Workshop, and Casa Vecchia Gift Shop.
- Food & Dining: Famous gourmet pies and bakeries along the Woodburn riverbank, plus Italian espresso, woodfired treats, and cakes under the vine trellises at New Italy Cafe.
- Parks & River Fun: Woodburn Riverside Park with adventure playground, jetties, water sports, and views from the historic Rod & Reel Hotel.
- Touring Gateway: Southern Gateway to the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests and the Rainforest Way touring loop.
Tastes of Italy & Country Charm
Pull over and treat yourself to the ultimate highway pick-me-up. In Woodburn, grab a legendary gourmet pie or a sweet pastry from the local bakeries and enjoy it right on the riverbank. Just a short drive down the road, you can cross continents at the New Italy Cafe. Relax under shady grape vine trellises in the middle of the Australian bush while savouring premium Italian espresso, authentic woodfired sweets, and traditional homemade cakes.
Did you know?
The historic New Italy Museum complex holds one of the most remarkable pioneer stories in Australian history! Established in 1882, it was hand-carved out of the rugged bushland by 200 resilient Italian immigrants who survived a disastrous, stranded expedition in the South Pacific. Today, their descendants maintain the mud-brick complex to honour the spiritual legacy of those original families, creating a thriving slice of European heritage right on our highway.
Worth the stop
Perched right on the wide, glassy reaches of the Richmond River, the spectacular Woodburn Riverside Park is the ultimate destination to stretch your legs. Let the kids burn off energy at the adventure playground or walk along the beautiful river jetties. Right across the road sits the iconic Rod & Reel Hotel—a beloved local fixture offering a fantastic family-friendly bistro, a welcoming roadside beer garden with sweeping river views, and the perfect atmosphere to enjoy a cold drink after a day of exploring.
Explore Woodburn & New Italy with Go Drivin
Turn your next road trip into an immersive, self-guided adventure through Northern Rivers NSW.
We’ve partnered with Go Drivin to bring you a brand-new way to explore the hidden gems, rich history, and breathtaking landscapes of the Richmond Valley. Using their free app and website, your journey transforms into a hands-free, stress-free experience complete with expert local storytelling that plays out as you drive.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Both destinations are located along the Pacific Highway corridor in Northern NSW, roughly 10 minutes inland from coastal Evans Head. Woodburn sits directly on the banks of the Richmond River, while the historic New Italy settlement is located just 15 km further south down the Pacific Highway.
Known as “The Traveler’s Rest,” Woodburn Riverside Park offers free public parking (with space for caravans and long vehicles), a shaded adventure playground, riverside walking jetties, covered picnic shelters, public toilets, and electric barbecues. Local bakeries, cafes, and the historic Rod & Reel Hotel sit right across the street.
Woodburn’s wide, calm stretch of the Richmond River is a popular spot for waterskiing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, kayak paddling, and recreational boat fishing. The park features a dual-lane public boat ramp and floating pontoon for easy river access.
Established in 1882, New Italy was hand-built by 200 resilient Italian immigrants who survived the tragic Marquis de Rays South Pacific expedition. Today, the mud-brick complex honours their legacy with a museum, Italian Pavilion, gift shop, glass art workshop, and the Tastes of New Italy Café serving authentic espresso and Italian sweets under shady vine trellises.
Yes. The New Italy Museum Complex features free, expansive parking with turning space for caravans, motorhomes, and boat trailers. Leashed dogs are welcome in the outdoor parklands and picnic areas, making it an ideal rest stop along the highway.