New Italy MuseumConcept 1 — Terra e Memoria
Historic New Italy logo
New ItalyHistoric Museum & Park of Peace · Woodburn NSW
The New Italy pioneer community posed outside the settlement hall, early 1900s
Woodburn, Northern NSW · Est. 1882

A story of shipwrecked hope, carried into the scrub.

Historic New Italy is the site where survivors of a catastrophic emigration scheme built a thriving Italian settlement from nothing — and where their descendants still keep the story alive today.

All welcome — tutti benvenuto

Fig. 01 — Who we are

A museum built by the descendants of the people it remembers.

Historic New Italy is a volunteer-run museum and heritage park on the site of the original 1882 settlement, cared for entirely by members of New Italy Museum Inc. — an ACNC-registered charity with no paid custodians, only people who consider this ground part of their family history.

What began as a rescue from disaster became a working Italian farming village carved out of coastal scrub between Ballina and Yamba. Today the museum, cafe, gift shop, glass gallery and Park of Peace sit where the silk sheds and dairies once stood — free to enter, seven days a week.

Read the full story →
Elderly pioneer settlers outside their timber slab hut, misty morning light
Fig. 01a — Settlers outside a timber slab hut, New Italy district
Il Pioniere memorial statue at the Park of Peace, Italian and Australian flags flying above
Fig. 02 — The story in brief

From a failed colony in the Pacific to a village that outlived it.

In 1880, hundreds of Italian families were promised land in a colony that did not exist — a scheme run by the self-styled Marquis de Rays. Stranded and starving in New Ireland, survivors were rescued and brought to Sydney Harbour in 1881 with help arranged by NSW Governor Sir Henry Parkes. Many were resettled on scrubland near Woodburn, where they founded New Italy in 1882 — building a silk industry, dairies and blacksmith forges from bare ground.

"We were given nothing but this land, and from nothing we made a village that spoke our language."
Illustrative — in the spirit of settler recollection
The full history, 1880–today →
Fig. 03

What's on site today

Around the museum and memorial grounds, a small working village has grown up again — a cafe, a gift shop, a glass studio, a relocated Expo pavilion, a community hall, and an award-winning bank of EV chargers for travellers passing through.

Italian breakfast plate at Tastes of New Italy Cafe
01 · Cafe

Tastes of New Italy

Coffee, cakes and a full breakfast & lunch menu, served in the shade of the memorial grounds.

Visitor leaving Casa Vecchia Gift Shop with bags of purchases
02 · Gift Shop

Casa Vecchia

Moka pots, olive oil tins, glassware and Italian kitchenware.

Artisan Ian O'Driscoll flameworking glass at his bench
03 · Glass Art

Glass Gallery & Workshops

Hand-flameworked borosilicate glass by Ian O'Driscoll, working locally since 1984.

The Italian Pavilion exterior, relocated from Brisbane's 1988 World Expo, with a replica of Michelangelo's David
04 · Pavilion

The Italian Pavilion

Relocated from Brisbane's 1988 World Expo — murals, memorabilia and a David replica.

EV supercharger bays under a solar canopy at New Italy
05 · EV Charging
11 bays

Charging Station of the Year, 2025

A supercharger stop for travellers on the Pacific Highway, recognised nationally in 2025.

Community Hall western entrance
06 · Hall Hire

Community Hall

Seats around 400 · available for hire · BYO beverages welcome.

Fig. 04 — Plan your visit

On the highway between Ballina and Yamba — easy to reach, easy to stay a while.

Historic New Italy sits directly on the Pacific Highway at Woodburn, with free parking, caravan and RV space, picnic grounds and leashed dogs welcome throughout the grounds.

EntryFree — donations welcome
Open7 days a week
ParkingFree · caravan & RV friendly
Location8275 Pacific Hwy, Woodburn
Plan your visit →
Museum interior wall display of antique blacksmith and farm tools
Fig. 05 — Community & events

Kept alive by the people who show up.

  • Annual

    Anniversary Day

    Marking the founding of New Italy, with descendants returning from across the country.

  • Annual

    ANZAC & Remembrance Day services

    Held at the memorial grounds alongside the Alpini Association.

  • Ongoing

    Volunteer working bees

    Regular working bees keep the museum, gardens and pavilion in good repair.

  • Seasonal

    Lavazza Italian Film Festival

    Screenings and volunteer luncheons held at the Community Hall.

A New Italy Museum volunteer