Scenic drive from Gold Coast to Kyogle and Lismore for Backyard Tourist

This scenic drive from the Gold Coast takes you through quaint hinterland and country towns in both Queensland and northern NSW — perfect for the weekend.

TIME to wake up early.

I know winter’s a little chilly and the weather hasn’t been great to start us off, but the rain is gone and it’s blue skies all the way.

That makes the clear days perfect for long scenic drives, such as this one to take you through some of the Gold Coast hinterland and northern NSW’s country towns such as Lismore, Casino, Kyogle and Beaudesert.

Close to Rathdowney. Pic: Russell Shakespeare

You can start this drive whichever way you like, but I prefer to head out towards Beaudesert first.

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Stop at Canungra for a spot of breakfast — there are ample cafes to choose from — and then continue out past Beaudesert and turn south on the Mount Lindesay Highway.

If you’re still peckish, there’s a typical little country roadside shop just outside of Tamrookum selling pies, burgers and potato scallops.

Kyogle township.

Drive past Rathdowney and out to Woodenbong, and head on to Summerland Way.

This beautiful drive out to Kyogle is worth it. When there, you can check out the nearby Koralee National Park and Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery.

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Next stop is Casino to stretch your legs, although Lismore with its quirky cafes is another solid option.

Follow the Bangalow Road until you hit its namesake before deciding which way you’d like to head back.

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Sunset at Lismore.

If you’ve spent the day exploring and your day is quickly closing in, the M1 will be the fastest option.

Otherwise, take the Granuaille Road out to Coolamon Scenic Drive and head north.

This trip is even better if you have an extra day to explore.

EAT AND DRINK

Geoff Rickards, Lismore businessman and owner of The Loft Restaurant and The Bank Cafe. Pic Nathan Edwards.

THE Loft Restaurant is not a place you easily forget.

Set up in Lismore with a focus on local produce, its mouth-watering meals include offerings such as roasted cauliflower and asparagus salad with cashew cream, or seared kangaroo fillet with maple-glazed brussels sprouts and fondant potato.

The award-winning restaurant’s dessert menu is similarly decadent, with chocolate cremeux and bacon infused ice cream, or lemon posset with white chocolate crumble and orange sorbet.

Open Wednesday to Saturday night from 5pm.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE … DO

Fruit trees galore. (Dean Fosdick via AP)

GREEN thumbs delight. Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery at Kyogle is open to the public.

But this spot is not your ordinary nursery. The property has loads of options to choose from, including fruit trees, rainforest plants, herbs and spices, farm trees and native plants.

Staff are helpful and they sometimes have more exotic plants available too.

It’s a one-stop shop as they also offer potting mixes, organic pest control and rarer Asian specialty fruit trees.

The nursery even has its own YouTube channel with interesting facts and tutorials, as well as a blog.

Open Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm. Saturday 10am-3pm.

DISCOVER

Mullumbimby. Main street. Picture: Amanda Robbemond

IF you’re heading back towards the Gold Coast from Bangalow via Coolamon Scenic Drive, take a quick look around Mullumbimby.

This adorable town has a lot of things going for it, including a relaxed main street lined with palm trees, older-style buildings and boutique stores.

There are at least two bamboo clothing stores, as well as a supermarket, pub and antiques store.

The town has several cafes to visit, many with vegan and gluten-free options.