Loving Lismore and Casino
Some of the businesses mentioned in this article may have been impacted by recent extreme weather events. If you are planning to visit these businesses, please contact them first to see if they are open.
When you want the conveniences that come with city living but the vibe of a rural community, Lismore ticks all the boxes. Lismore and its neighbouring town Casino are surrounded by a thriving farming community but with all the amenities that you would expect in a large rural city.
The original inhabitants of the country that includes Lismore and Casino are the Bundjalung people and there are still many significant Aboriginal sites within the region.
Lismore and Casino diversity
Lismore, known as the ‘Rainbow Region’ due to its cultural diversity and its strong sense of community and love of all things in nature, is ideally situated not far from the coast and just an hour’s drive to the international airport at Coolangatta. Plus, Lismore also has its own regional airport.
On the other end of the spectrum is Casino, a quiet rural town on the banks of the Richmond River. For lovers of architecture and history, the main street boasts heritage-listed properties that range from Victorian to Art Deco. The city is also justly proud of its churches and cathedral. With a self-moniker of ‘The Beef Capital’, Casino holds an annual ‘Beef Week’ festival every year in May that lasts for 12 days.
Lismore over recent decades has attracted those who want to escape the city to take up creative endeavours or get back to nature with specialist farming. Per capita, Lismore might just have the highest number of dancers, artists, filmmakers and musicians in the country. It would certainly account for the high number of galleries and performance spaces in this prosperous inland city.
Who lives in Lismore and Casino?
Lismore has a healthy population of around 43,667 people with a median age of 37. Around two-thirds of these people live in the city area while the remainder live in the surrounding rural areas. The vibe in Lismore is open and friendly and there’s a definite importance placed on being community-minded and environmentally conscious.
Casino has a population of 11,199 people with an even mix of both families with children, couples whose children have left home, and retirees.
Steeped in natural wonders
If you love the great outdoors and exploring all that nature provides, this area definitely has much to offer. Lismore and Casino are surrounded by World Heritage-listed nature reserves and national parks where you’ll find spectacular forests and waterfalls. You’re also not far from the Border Ranges and the ancient Mt Warning volcano.
The highlights for us have to be a visit to the platypus pools near Casino and a trip to view significant local historical sites such as the Crossing Place and ancient rock carvings.
So whether you enjoy hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, fishing or just having a picnic with the family, you’ll never run out of new places to visit around Lismore and Casino.
Lismore and Casino amenities
Lismore has many primary and secondary schools as well as a Southern Cross University campus and a TAFE. You’ll also find the area’s largest public hospital, Lismore Base Hospital, as well as two private hospitals.
Casino also has many primary and secondary schools, both private and public. Plus, there’s a community rural hospital that provides a range of public healthcare services.
To supplement the care offered by the hospitals, Lismore and Casino residents can call on other health professionals services, including a dedicated Aboriginal health facility.
Sports lovers are not forgotten either. Lismore has a number of playing fields as well as a synthetic hockey arena and indoor basketball courts. Of course, there are gyms and tennis courts as well. Plus, for motorsport fans, there’s the Lismore Speedway.
You can enjoy city conveniences right in the heart of the Northern Rivers but still be enveloped in that welcoming and laid-back rural vibe in Lismore. The city is surrounded by farmland and natural wonders but still has everything that you’ll ever need. Casino, while not far away, is a true rural town where you’ll experience country hospitality at its best. This area really does have the best of both worlds,
You might also be interested in learning more about Ocean Shores, Byron Bay, Mullumbimby, Tweed Coast and Murwillumbah and their surrounding districts. Check out our business directory.
