Discover Alstonville

Explore Alstonville from different angles: the self-guided Heritage Trail takes you to historic buildings, Crawford House houses an archive and museum, and the tibouchinas that are characteristic of the town add a seasonal highlight from around mid-March. There are also the Alstonville Community Markets and a walking and cycling path connecting Alstonville with Wollongbar. This offers a range of interests to consider for your trip: local history, market activity, getting active and a special flowering season.

Explore history at your own pace

The Alstonville Heritage Trail comprises seventeen stops featuring historic buildings from the 1890s and early 1900s. It is a self-guided historical walk through the town’s streets and gardens. The self-guided format is suited to travellers who want to explore the stops independently, rather than making a guided tour the focus of their visit. So the focus is not just on one building: the trail links several historic stops in a walk through Alstonville. Its seventeen stops give the trail a concrete framework, while the buildings from two different periods define its historical character. If you are interested in local history and architecture, this is one way to get to know Alstonville through its historic buildings.

Crawford House and local organisations

Crawford House is a particularly tangible example. The house was built in 1910 for William Ambrose Crawford and his bride, Olive, and was originally called Olivene. Today it houses the archive and museum of the Alstonville Plateau Historical Society. Crawford House therefore offers both the history of the building and its present-day role as a place for an archive and museum. It is also listed as heritage-protected by the National Trust and Ballina Shire Council. Those with a particular interest in history can consider Crawford House as a specific subject alongside the broader Heritage Trail: here, the focus is on a named house with its own history and present-day archive and museum function.

The Alstonville Community Markets offer a different perspective on the town. They bring together local growers, makers, artists, food vendors and small businesses. The range spans food and handmade goods, as well as art and offerings from small businesses. For planning your trip, this is a different focus from historic buildings: the markets showcase a variety of local businesses and activities.

Walk or cycle towards Wollongbar

The Alstonville to Wollongbar Village Link Path offers another way to get active: this walking and cycling path connects Alstonville and Wollongbar. It complements the historical attractions with a connection that can be explored on foot or by bike. Unlike the Heritage Trail, which focuses on historic buildings and a walk through streets and gardens, the defining feature of the Link Path is the connection between the two towns. If you are considering Alstonville as a destination, these different highlights can help shape your decision: the trail and Crawford House appeal to those interested in local history, while the Link Path suits a trip that includes walking or cycling. You can start your search for holiday accommodation by considering what you want from your trip.

Tibouchinas from around mid-March

The tibouchinas characteristic of Alstonville also offer a seasonal highlight: they bloom each year from around mid-March. This may be especially appealing if you like to combine your trip with a seasonal natural spectacle. Alongside the historic stops, market activity and walking and cycling path, they add to the range of highlights you can consider when choosing your holiday destination.

More local pages: Lennox Head, Ballina, Teven, Brooklet.

For the broader travel overview: Ballina Shire Council.