KYOGLE SURROUNDS

CAWONGLA AND WADEVILLE

Cawongla is an unusual name which combines Campbell, the name of the area's first white settler, and 'wonga', an Aboriginal word for hill. The village and surrounds out to Wadeville has a population of about 300. The traditional farming community has been boosted by the arrival of new settlers buying into multiple occupancies, and many residents have formed alternative lifestyle communities. The region has become popular with day-trippers down from Brisbane travelling along Lions Road (named for the progress group which constructed it, rather than after the big cat!), enjoying the scenic views, old farm buildings and wildlife of the region.

Nearby Wadeville has the general store, which is also the community meeting place and handy stop for provisions or directions. Bamboo World at Wadeville has many species of bamboo, artifacts and furniture available and can be visited by appointment (02 6689 7214). There are several other small communities around the area.

INFORMATION

Council - Kyogle Council

WIANGAREE AND GREVILLIA

Wiangaree marks the turn off from the Summerland Way to the World-Heritage listed Border Ranges National Park. This little village of 130 people has an old-style general store which also provides a greenhouse area for relaxing with a drink or takeaway and a beautiful Asian orchid nursery. The store also acts as a tourist information centre (w.orchid@nrg.com.au) and they display relics of local history. The garage also includes a display of bees making the local honey.

Ten kilometres further along the Summerland Way is Grevillia, named by early surveyors because of the many silky oak trees (Grevillia robusta) in the area. In earlier years there were three saw mills operating, and at Sawpit Creek you can follow the old 'snig' tracks where bullock teams hauled out the timber. The general store provides a range of services for travellers, including petrol, food, postal agency and a bottleshop.

INFORMATION

• Council - Kyogle Council
• Major Events
• Wiangaree Rodeo - March

MALLANGANEE AND MUMMULGUM

The display of cattle brands in the general store is a clue as to the farming history of the little country village of Mallanganee, about 40km west of Casino along the Bruxner Highway. With cattle farming developing alongside timber, this scenic area is in the heart of 'beef country.' With a population of about 140, the general store also is a postal agency, and still has the original old mail boxes displayed as well. Mallanganee (a place of tall pines) also has a bakery which is famed for its hand-made Mallanganee pies. The Memorial Hall commemorates the timber days with a backdrop applique showing a bullock team hauling timber. At the Catholic church are sculptures crafted by Father John Casey.

Closer in to Casino is the tiny village of Mummulgum, (population 90) which has a primary school as community focus.

INFORMATION

• Council - Kyogle Council

EVENTS

• Mallanganee Campdraft - August

RAPPVILLE

A pleasant diversion from the Summerland Way between Casino and Grafton leads to Rappville, a quiet village which was once a busy centre for the beef and timber industries. Large herds of beef cattle continue to graze on the surrounding farmlands, and state and private forestry provides timber for the local sawmills. The local hotel provides both entertainment for the area and general store products for local residents.

INFORMATION

• Population -115
• Transport Services - Bus
• Council - Richmond Valley Council