We took a ferry up the Richmond River, the weather was not the best but the the cruise was interesting as the skipper knew a lot about the local area. He mentioned about the trade up and down the river, one struck me, that at one stage in the 18 hundreds it was more profitable getting red cedar than mining gold. I’ll let the photo's tell the story of the town reaches of the Richmond.
From Ballina we took various trips through the hinterland, The Channon markets, house with no steps where we had a nice lunch and very good coffee, Nimbin, Byron Bay, Lismore, Bangalow where they hold one of the best markets we have been to, there was a busker there who we thought was on of the very best we had seen, Newyrbar were there is one of the best restaurants, very expensive but worth it, we took a lot of back roads to see stuff off the beaten track.
Some friends came to see us from Brisbane, Dick and Bernie. Dick had spent a lot of time when he was younger so was able to tell us places we would not have see but only for him.
From Ballina we took a long drive to Brunswick Head all of 35 k’s. Moved into an old park that was meant for the old type vans, very small park area, but we managed to fit in. We stayed there for only one thing THE BULES FESTIVAL, Bill Dan Rosy Bill Oscar & Holly came down to the festival as well. Bill & Dan stayed with us in the van talked a lot of old times. Rosy Bill Oscar & Holly stayed at the Blues sight itself in their camper trailer. We all booked in for 3 days saw various acts, the best been, John Fogerty, Buddy Guy, Earth Wind and Fire, Stray Cats, Crosby Stills and Nash & the one that everyone liked Sea Sick Steve. It was one of these things we ticked off the bucket list.
Prior to the blues festival I went in a glider for a hour, the trip took me to Mount Warning, we had to be at 4500feet to get around the mountain, what a sight. On the way back I said to the pilot can we do some loops etc but been an old craft he only could do some “wing overs”, and that was over the blues festival sight, did two of them and then landed, the strip is next to the blues sight.
The perils of travelling around is having morning tea everyday and 5pm drinks. Anyway the museum and pavilion was very informative. The story is about forty families immigrating to Australia and all their trials and tribulations. They arrived in Sydney July 1880 were given free land in the northern rivers region and work they did. They grew grapes and fantastic market gardens, the soil was like cement and very poor but they managed HARD WORK!!!!! I recommend a visit if passing it’s on the Pacific Highway before Ballina. 
