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Major city · Australia

Woodburn

Stop 1–2 hours for a riverside walk and bakery lunch on the M1, or sleep one night at the pub; there is no reason to base a holiday here.

Woodburn is a small Richmond River town of about 740 people, 42 km south of Ballina and a few minutes off the M1 Pacific Motorway. It lost its through-traffic role when the motorway bypass opened in 2020, so it now works as a short break on the drive between Sydney and Brisbane, or as a cheap bed for Evans Head and the Northern Rivers beaches. Two hours covers the river, the main street and a meal; one night is enough if you want the pub.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
AUD
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Nov
avoid Dec–Feb (heat, humidity and holiday traffic), Jan school holidays
Airports
BNK · OOL · SYD
Nights
1
Rules in force · 7
  • Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
  • Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
  • Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
  • Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
  • Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
  • Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
  • Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Woodburn000 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance000
  • From a mobile112
  • NSW SES flood and storm assistance132 500

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Woodburn, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeA$4.50–6 (≈ US$3–4)
  • Street or quick mealBakery pie or sandwichA$6–12 (≈ US$4–8)
  • Beerschooner at the pub / six-pack at the bottle shopA$7–10 (≈ US$5–7)A$18–24 (≈ US$12–16)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$20–40 (≈ US$14–30)
  • Budget bedHostel or caravan-park cabin bed, a night, per personA$40 (≈ US$30)
  • Mid-range bedPub or motel double room, a night, per roomA$180 (≈ US$120)
  • High-end bedPub or motel double room, a night, per roomA$280 (≈ US$190)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$80 (≈ US$55) · Mid A$150 (≈ US$100) · High A$260 (≈ US$180)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Richmond River frontageRodnReel Hotel and breweryBakery stop on the M1Gateway to Evans Head
Airports
BNK Ballina Byron Gateway (About 45 min by car via the M1; the closest airport with scheduled flights.) · OOL Gold Coast (About 1 h 45 min by car north up the M1; useful for cheap domestic fares.) · SYD Sydney (Most visitors arrive this way by road; the drive south from Sydney is long, so plan an overnight stop.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    29°C (84°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    29°C (84°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    28°C (82°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  5. May

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

  6. Jun

    not flagged

    20°C (68°F)

  7. Jul

    not flagged

    20°C (68°F)

  8. Aug

    not flagged

    22°C (72°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    24°C (75°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  11. Nov

    Best

    28°C (82°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    29°C (84°F)

Best: Apr–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jan (29°C (84°F)), coolest Jul (8°C (46°F) low), wettest Mar (15 rain days), driest Aug (7). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Woodburn: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

29°C (84°F)

20°C (68°F)

13 rd

Feb

29°C (84°F)

20°C (68°F)

14 rd

Mar

28°C (82°F)

18°C (64°F)

15 rd

Apr

26°C (79°F)

15°C (59°F)

12 rd

May

23°C (73°F)

12°C (54°F)

11 rd

Jun

20°C (68°F)

9°C (48°F)

9 rd

Jul

20°C (68°F)

8°C (46°F)

8 rd

Aug

22°C (72°F)

9°C (48°F)

7 rd

Sep

24°C (75°F)

12°C (54°F)

8 rd

Oct

26°C (79°F)

14°C (57°F)

10 rd

Nov

28°C (82°F)

17°C (63°F)

11 rd

Dec

29°C (84°F)

19°C (66°F)

12 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

You need a car. The town is a few minutes off the M1 and the sights are spread along the river and the highway exits. River Street itself is flat and walkable in 10 minutes. There is one daily coach each way between Grafton and Byron Bay, plus local buses from Evans Head, Ballina, Lismore and Grafton, but timetables are thin and not useful for a day of sightseeing.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Evans Head

go

Door to door: About 25 min

Drive east on the Evans Head road, about 20 min

Surf beach, river mouth and a small town; the main reason people leave the motorway here.

Door to door: About 35 min

M1 north, about 42 km (26 mi)

Bigger town with beaches, supermarkets and the airport.

Door to door: About 35 min

Tourist Drive 24 (Wyrallah Road) south

Regional centre for supplies, cafés and the gallery.

Casinocaution

Door to door: About 45 min

Drive west via Coraki or the M1 and Bruxner Highway

Only worth it if you are catching the XPT or heading inland.

Door to door: About 1 h

M1 north then the coast road

Busy and expensive in peak season; go early or skip in January.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

River Street (main street)

The pub, bakery and takeaway strip; everything is walkable from here.

Riverside and caravan parks

River views and easy parking; check availability and powered-site rates before you commit.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
A$80–130 (≈ US$55–90) excl. bed
Mid
A$130–220 (≈ US$90–150) excl. bed
High
A$220 (≈ US$150)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Pub or motel double room1 × 1 night × A$180A$180
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$150A$300
Powered caravan or campsite, one night1 × A$45 · checkA$45
Fuel, Ballina to Woodburn and back1 × A$20 · checkA$20
eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$25A$50
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeA$60
Trip total≈ A$328 per person per day, bed includedA$655≈ US$450

2026 estimate in Australian dollars; fuel and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

CoffeeA$4.50–6 (≈ US$3–4)
Bakery pie or sandwichA$6–12 (≈ US$4–8)
Pub main mealA$22–35 (≈ US$15–25)
Beer: schooner at the pub / six-pack at the bottle shopA$7–10 (≈ US$5–7) / A$18–24 (≈ US$12–16)
Fuel, unleaded per litrecheckA$1.80–2.10 (≈ US$2)
eSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$20–40 (≈ US$14–30)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Very safe for a small country town; the real risks are driving at dawn and dusk with wildlife on the road, summer heat, and river flooding after heavy rain. Lock the car and don't leave valuables visible at the highway stops.
  • Almost nothing is open late; eat before 8:30PM or drive to Ballina.
  • Fuel and food options are limited — fill up at Ballina, Maclean or the motorway service centres.
  • The Richmond River floods in heavy rain; check road closures before driving in wet weather.
  • Kangaroos and wallabies on rural roads at dawn and dusk.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
000
From a mobile
112
NSW SES flood and storm assistance
132 500

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

WoodburnWoodburn

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Can you take me to this address, please?To this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance000
  • From a mobile112
  • NSW SES flood and storm assistance132 500

Embassy

No consulates here; the nearest are in Sydney. US, UK, Canadian, Irish and New Zealand travellers should register with their embassy in Canberra before travelling to remote areas.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Coach Woodburn → Byron Bay: one daily service, morning departure (check)
  • Drive Woodburn → Ballina: 42 km (26 mi), about 35 min
  • Drive Woodburn → Evans Head: about 20 min

Say or show

  • Thanks — Thank you
  • Where's the river walk? — Where is the river walk?
  • Are you still serving food? — Is the kitchen still open?
  • Do you take card? — Can I pay by card?
  • Where's the nearest servo? — Where is the nearest petrol station?

Fuel up before you leave the motorway; the town has limited services.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Woodburn. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Dec–Feb (heat, humidity and holiday traffic), Jan school holidays · month by month →
  2. 3 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 5 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for BNK: last shuttle and taxi options, plus the drive time from Woodburn.
  2. Walking cluster map for River Street with opening hours and last orders.
  3. Flood and road-closure fixture so wet-season days show a clear fallback.
  4. Place pages for the river walk, the pub and the bakery with verified hours.

Sources

Ask about Woodburn

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