The Byron Lismore hinterland is a hideaway with pretty villages, lush countryside, casual cafés and gorgeous national parks. Robyn Holland takes you on a tour of an area that boasts an undiscovered feel, giving you a brief guide to the hinterland villages.

Think far north coast NSW and think lush. Even the most severe drought can't stop the greenery from thriving in this little pocket of the country. This region was once covered by the largest expanse of subtropical rainforest in the world, which grew from the ashes of an ancient volcano.

The coastline in these parts is a well-worn path by travellers of all ages, popular because it's beautiful, rural, lush and laid back. What so many coast-hugging travellers don't realise, though, is that just 30 minutes inland of Byron Bay are places that have all this, without the crowds.

The villages of Lismore's hinterland have that undiscovered feel which is, getting harder to come by in these tourism-conscious days.

Lismore is situated 30km west of Ballina via Alstonville, or 35km south west of Byron Bay, via Bangalow. It is 80 minutes drive south of Coolangatta and two hours and 20 minutes from Brisbane.

While it is possible to drive through all the villages in the space of a day, your best bet is to spend a weekend in the region, either basing yourself in Lismore, or at one of the more interesting accommodation houses in the villages.

Pick up a touring map from the Lismore Visitor Information Centre before you head out of town.

Here's a brief guide to the highlights of each village.

Nimbin

Best known for its alternative lifestyle and culture, Nimbin is 30 kilometres north of Lismore. Some of the sights of this community will certainly surprise you, so step out here and wander down the genuinely psychedelic main street.

There's a number of cafés, the Nimbin Museum where you can learn about the colourful history of the town; the Hemp Embassy; and interesting places like the Djanbung Garden, a Permaculture Centre; and the Rainbow Power Company, where you can find out about alternative energy.

The Channon

The Channon (pronounced Chann-on or Shann-on) is host to a monthly Sunday market that has a reputation for being the most colourful, creative and unique market in the Northern Rivers. The Tea House and Art Gallery offers a quiet retreat for lunch or a snack as well as some interesting local art and craft. Call in to the Butterfactory Tavern for a drink.

Just 15 kilometres from here, via Terania Creek Road is Nightcap National Park, where you can do the very manageable 1.4 kilometre walk to Protestor's Falls, so named for the protests that took place there in the 1970s. Obviously the protesters won, preserving this special section of rainforest for all of us to enjoy.

Bexhill

While the name isn't particularly appealing, this village is. Visit the Open Air Cathedral, used for outdoor weddings and other services, which boasts impressive views. Keep your eye out for the charming little church too, which is apparently the best attended in the district.

Clunes

A Gaelic word meaning "pleasant place", Clunes has some lovely federation homes and early Australian church architecture. This village is the birthplace of the northcoast dairy industry.

Dunoon

The Dunoon General Store was built in 1898. From here it's only a short drive to Minyon Falls and Rocky Creek Dam, where you can picnic and bushwalk. You'd have to be asleep to miss the macadamia plantations here, because Dunoon is the macadamia capital of the region. Although plantation tours aren't available, you can buy the local product from the Lismore Visitor Information Centre, in the villages arts and craft shops/galleries and cafés.

Eltham

Housed in what was once the General Store from the early 1900s, the Eltham Village Gallery is a store chock full of quality knick knacks, giftware and art.  When you're in that weekend frame of mind, a shop like this can easily tempt you into buying some lovely item to take home with you. When you've made your purchase, pop next door to the classic old country pub for a beer or a meal.

Rosebank

Your drive towards Rosebank takes in some of the typically pleasing rural countryside for which this area is renowned. The Rosebank Gold coffee and macadamia plantation is open for tours by appointment only but if you haven't time, call in at the Green Frog Café and Gallery for a taste of this outstanding coffee, and take a sample home with you.

This eclectic café offers home-baked cakes as well as light meals and will even pack you a picnic should you so desire. It also serves as an information centre, so you can get advice on bushwalks and the like.

For detailed information and advice on where to stay in this area, please phone the Lismore Visitor Information Centre on 1300 369 795.  www.lismore.nsw.gov.au