Big River Country
The secret got out a long time ago that New South Wales’ Northern Rivers region is a natural wonderland.
It’s here where you will find the world’s largest expanse of subtropical rainforest right alongside mountains created by ancient volcanoes and some of the biggest rivers in Australia – the Clarence, Richmond and Tweed – flowing right through it.
The area’s obvious natural attractions are rivalled by the rich food and art culture, the plethora of water sports and, of course, great golf.
And it has never been easier to visit the Northern Rivers, with freeway expansions to the north and south in recent years bringing Sydney and Brisbane closer for the roadtrippers. If you want to fly, the Ballina Byron Gateway Airport lies at the heart of the region and has direct flights from Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.
Ballina, on the banks of the Richmond River, has been a popular tourist town for many years and it seemed the logical place to set up base with good golfing options to be found within an easy drive to the north and south.
My first port of call was an old favourite, Ocean Shores Country Club, about 40 minutes’ drive north of Ballina and only 15 minutes from Byron Bay. The panoramic outlook from the clubhouse is the first thing that impresses on arrival. Looking east from the stylish bistro deck, there are beautiful ocean views from Cape Byron to the Gold Coast. To the west, there are vistas of the lush rainforest hills of the Nightcap Ranges and Mt Warning towering majestically above the surrounding hills to the north-west.
Ocean Shores celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and the first major changes to the layout in its five
