One of the fun parts of any road trip has to be the discovery of the local funky vintage shops; places where canny buyers can snap up a bargain, and locals can find a place to sell those interesting ‘wares’ that collect in the back of the cupboard. I found such a shop down at Woodburn recently – the eclectic River Emporium on the Pacific Highway – chock-a-bloc full of vintage clothing, bric-a-brac, religious iconography (yes really) and collectibles.

The eclectic River Emporium at Woodburn.

Says owner Glenda Wright of her customers; “Many are holiday makers from Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast who use the shop as an opportunity for a pit stop while on their way to the local beaches”. On a recent trip I unearthed a complete boxed collection of The Spice Girls dolls reclining on a vintage reproduction Saarinen Tulip Chair. Glenda’s brother Leon is also on hand, offering his expertise in Antique furniture restorations and French Polishing.

The River Emporium has a great line in religious iconography – not to mention the odd Spice Girl or two…

The Richmond River has always been a focal part of life of many towns in the Northern Rivers region, and Woodburn is no exception. It’s a great place to stop for a picnic in the riverside park where barbeques and picnic facilities provide the perfect place to relax while taking in the activities happening on the water  like kayaking, swimming, fishing and water skiing and provides a perfect opportunity for family water sports  all year round.  At the rear of the Visitor Information Centre, an elevated deck with tables and chairs provides a great place to take in the river breezes while overlooking the bridge and the river.

A short walk north of the River Emporium is the unassuming home of sculptor Will Ponweiser, whose front yard is full of curious and quirky sculptures, from flocks of flamingos to weather vanes and fishing frogs. Visitors are welcome to wander around and browse the eclectic collection or for a nominal fee, to step inside the garage and explore an exhibition of Will’s handmade metal arts.

The beautiful Evans River estuary

Close to Woodburn, Bundjalung National Park is a wonderful place to explore the waterways of the north coast. Stretching 35kms along pristine coastline between Evans Head and Iluka, Bundjalung’s combination of river, beach and freshwater lagoons will appeal to all those with a love of nature and the water. For bike enthusiasts there’s the opportunity for mountain biking the Serendipity fire trail while hikers will appreciate the walk along Ten Mile Beach. Jerusalem Creek walk offers an opportunity to explore an important wetland area for shorebirds such as the Pied Oystercatcher and Beach Stone-Curlew which nest along the creek banks. Set behind the sand dunes at Ten Mile Beach is the spacious Black Rocks camping area. This campground is a top spot for a family camping holiday with plenty of room for caravans, camper trailers and motorhomes.

Surrounded by national parks and with six kilometres of surfing beaches and stunning coastal scenery, the peaceful coastal village of Evans Head is the perfect location for a day trip or a relaxing family holiday. Situated on the banks of the Evans River, there are plenty of outdoor activities to keep visitors entertained – Airforce beach is a popular spot for four-wheel driving, fishing and an off-leash dog exercise area, while the Evans River is a great place for kids to swim in the river or at the shallow beaches along the estuary. You can also take the opportunity to explore the meandering waterways with a peaceful day canoeing along the Evans River.

The rock pools between Chinaman;s and New Zealander’s beach reveal a wealth of sea treasures.

Surrounded by Dirrawong Reserve, the beautiful and secluded Chinaman’s Beach is a short drive south of Evans Head. The well-maintained walking track through native bush opens to one of the most peaceful beaches on the North Coast. Wide expanses of coastal views frame walking trails onto Goanna Headland, worth the walk for the beautiful views from the lookout and interpretative signs which explain its cultural significance to the local Bundjalung people. At low tide there are numerous rock pools to be explored before taking the walk further south to Snapper Rock.

Yates Pizza And Takeaway in Evans Head is a popular place to grab some fish and chips.

Located in the renovated Bellman Hanger, the Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome Heritage Aviation Museum features military and civilian aircraft and artifacts sourced from all across Australia. The wartime home of thousands of men and women undertaking training during World War ll, the museum relates the history of aviation in the Northern Rivers. Visitors can take the pilot’s seat of the F-111 fighter-bomber and a personalised tour with volunteers who are more than happy to relate the stories behind the exhibits. The museum is located at the Evans Head Aerodrome and is open 10am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday.

Photographs and story by Gabby Watson

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