Practical information

Plan your visit

Fig. 06 — Getting here

Right on the Pacific Highway, between Ballina and Yamba.

Historic New Italy sits at 8275 Pacific Highway, Woodburn NSW — a well-known stop for travellers moving between Brisbane / the Gold Coast and Sydney. Look for the turnoff signposted at Woodburn; the museum grounds are visible from the highway.

Address8275 Pacific Highway, Woodburn NSW 2472
RegionNorthern Rivers, NSW — between Ballina & Yamba
From Brisbane / Gold CoastSouth via the Pacific Motorway/Highway, past Ballina
From SydneyNorth via the Pacific Highway, past Yamba & Coraki

Map showing Historic New Italy's location between Woodburn, Ballina and Evans Head — Fig. 06a — Historic New Italy in relation to the Northern Rivers region and the Pacific Highway

Opening hours & entry

Historic New Italy is open 7 days a week, with free entry — donations are always welcome and help keep this volunteer-run museum running. As a member-supported charity, hours can vary around events, working bees and public holidays — please confirm current opening hours before you travel by contacting the museum directly (details below) rather than relying on any hours quoted elsewhere.

The cafe, gift shop and glass gallery keep their own trading hours within the same grounds — again, best confirmed directly if you're planning around a particular visit.

Fig. 07

Parking, caravans & dogs

Parking

Ample & free

Free parking on site for all visitors, no time limits.

Caravans & RVs

Room to pull in

Dedicated space for caravans and RVs — a popular stop on the highway run.

Picnic areas

Bring lunch

Shaded picnic grounds across the memorial park.

Dogs

Leashed dogs welcome

On lead, throughout the grounds.

Fig. 08

Facilities on site

Tastes of New Italy Cafe

Coffee · breakfast · lunch

A full breakfast and lunch menu with good coffee and cake, served in the grounds beside the museum and Park of Peace — a genuine reason to stop, not just a rest break.

Eggs benedict at Tastes of New Italy Cafe

Casa Vecchia Gift Shop

Italian homewares

The "Italian Gift Shop" stocks moka pots, olive oil tins, glass cruets and Italian kitchenware — a browse-worthy stop whether or not you're buying.

Gift shop shelves of moka pots and kitchenware

Gift shop shelves of olive oil tins and glassware

iii

Glass Art Gallery & Workshops

Flamework — since 1984

Watch artisan Ian O'Driscoll hand-flamework borosilicate glass at his bench — sea creatures, ornaments and sculptural pieces, made and sold on site under the "Flamework" name.

Ian O'Driscoll flameworking glass at his bench, surrounded by glass sculptures

The Italian Pavilion

Expo '88 relocation

Relocated from Brisbane's 1988 World Expo, the pavilion holds painted murals, a replica of Michelangelo's David, pioneer memorabilia and posters — plus, memorably, Lismore's first cappuccino machine. Recently under renovation by the volunteer team.

Italian Pavilion entrance signage with pioneer memorabilia posters

Lismore's first cappuccino machine on display in the pavilion

The Italian Pavilion during recent renovation

EV Supercharger Station

11 bays · Award-winning

An 11-bay EV supercharger station under a solar canopy, named Charging Station of the Year in 2025 — plug in while you browse the museum, cafe and gift shop.

EV supercharger bays under a solar canopy at New Italy, with congratulatory signage for Charging Station of the Year

Community Hall

Capacity ~400 · Hire available

Available for hire, seating around 400 — BYO beverages welcome. Home to Anniversary Day, the Lavazza Italian Film Festival, volunteer luncheons and Alpini Association gatherings throughout the year.

vii

Genealogy & museum collections

For family-history researchers

The museum maintains genealogy and collection databases for descendants and researchers tracing pioneer families — plus MyBelle Pantry on site for pesticide-free bulk foods.

Fig. 09 — Get in touch

Questions before you come?

For current opening hours, group bookings, hall hire enquiries or genealogy research assistance, the volunteer team is glad to help.

Emailinfo@newitaly.org.au
Address8275 Pacific Highway, Woodburn NSW 2472
OrganisationNew Italy Museum Inc. — ACNC registered charity

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Site map of the Historic New Italy grounds