Country Villages Are The Hidden Gems

Wherever I travel in the world, I make a point of joining in with the locals. There is no better way of getting to know a place than talking to the locals. Travelling is not just about destinations, it’s about what happens along the way.

Last night, I attended a Friday Night variety talent show in a tiny community in Northern NSW that I’d seen advertised on various telegraph poles around the region.

Stokers Siding is a quiet village set amongst rolling green pastures within eyesight of the majestic Mt Warning/ Wollumbin. Located 12km from Murwillumbah and 45km from both Byron Bay and Gold Coast.

The first lands were purchased here in 1882 by Joseph Stoker; 600 acres at 2 shillings an acre. The land was primarily used for sugar cane; later bananas and dairy pastures. In 1894, the Murwillumbah to Casino rail opened. It was the meeting of the roads and the train line that gave birth to the name ‘Stokers Siding’.

Today, the Stokers Siding Art Gallery is housed in the historic 1921 pottery building. The General Store/Post Office has a verandah tea room located in the old railway station on the opposite side of Stokers Road. A small public school opened in 1917 which is still successfully operating today.

The historic community hall known as the ‘Stokers Siding Dunbible Memorial Hall’ is the focal point for community life and celebrations.

This well used hall also features an amateur talent night on the first Friday of every month (except January) called “Fifteen Minutes of Fame”. The event offers a licensed bar from 6.30pm or guests can BYO. A hearty $10 dinner is served from 7pm with the menu changing each month and a selection of delicious desserts are $5 and Tea / Coffee $2.

If you really want to create memorable holidays, skip the tourist traps and build relationships with the locals who are willing to give you a glimpse into the life of their unique area.

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