Lismore is a town that is unashamedly “arty”, showcasing all manner of weird and wonderful galleries, installations and events. Every culture vulture will feel well at home here, and all year-round there’s a whole range of diverse events to explore. You’re sure to be entertained and intrigued when you take the time to explore colourful Lismore.
Organic Delights
Most population centres have an organic market these days, but Lismore’s Organic Market is a cut above the rest. Organised by the Tweed Richmond Organic Producers' Organisation, they aim to sell only produce that is raised or grown twenty kilometres or less from the market itself – truly a “Farm to table” experience in the making. The market is on every Tuesday, and starts bright and early at 7.30am, so you’ll want to set your alarm for this one. There are some great local food vendors here and there’s usually an acoustic guitar gig to enjoy as well, so this is the perfect way to start your day in Lismore. Pick up some goodies for your lunch and get ready for a day of exciting exploration as you take in more of Lismore’s delights.
Care for Koalas
The Northern Rivers Koala Care centre helps injured and orphaned koalas, returning them to the wild where possible, and helps to protect local populations of this iconic Australian animal. They run tours of their centre twice a day that give you a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the valuable work this organisation does at the centre. The tours are run by passionate volunteer guides who will not only tell you what they’re doing to help the local koalas, but they’ll give you heaps of information on how to preserve koala habitats and protect koalas at home, too. They even have a nursery here where you can buy some eucalypt seedlings to make your backyard more koala-friendly. To see koalas in the wild, you can make a stop at nearby Robinson’s Lookout, south of the city centre, where abundant eucalyptus trees around a viewing platform give you an excellent opportunity to see koalas doing their thing – usually eating or sleeping in daylight hours.
Star Bargains
Lismore is known for its eclectic shops, and the Star Court Arcade is a great place to sample some of the wares on offer. A mixture of funky boutiques and shops, along with a movie theatre and some great restaurants make this a great place to spend some cash and make some interesting new acquisitions for the wardrobe or home. There’s a lot of interesting and quirky merchandise for sale here, with the stores trying to outdo each other to be the most interesting and eclectic, so you’re sure to find some pleasant surprises here. Retro, vintage and antique items take centre stage along with the avant-garde creations of local artisans – whether practical or purely artistic, there is plenty to see, and you may well be tempted to pick up something truly unique to remember your visit by.
