A village built from nothing, still welcoming travellers today.
Survivors of a failed Pacific colony carved an Italian farming settlement out of the coastal scrub near Woodburn. Their descendants keep the story alive in a volunteer-run museum, cafe, gift shop and glass gallery — right on the Pacific Highway.
A museum cared for 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. It is looked after entirely by members of New Italy Museum Inc., an ACNC-registered charity with no paid staff — only people who consider this ground part of their family history.
Today the museum, cafe, gift shop, glass gallery and Park of Peace stand where the silk sheds and dairies once did. Entry is free, seven days a week.
Read the full story →More than a museum — a reason to stop.
Around the 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 EV charging station.
Tastes of New Italy
Good coffee, cakes and a full breakfast and lunch menu, served beside the memorial grounds.
Casa Vecchia
Moka pots, olive oil tins, glassware and Italian kitchenware — worth a browse whether or not you're buying.
Glass Gallery & Workshops
Watch hand-flameworked borosilicate glass being made by Ian O'Driscoll, working locally since 1984.
The Italian Pavilion
Relocated from Brisbane's 1988 World Expo — murals, memorabilia and a replica of Michelangelo's David.
Charging Station of the Year 2025
Eleven supercharger bays under a solar canopy. Plug in, then wander the museum, cafe and shop.
Community Hall
Seats around 400 and is available for hire. BYO beverages welcome.
From a colony that never existed to a village that outlived it.
In 1880, hundreds of Italian families were sold land in a Pacific colony that did not exist. Stranded and starving in New Ireland, the survivors were rescued and brought to Sydney in 1881. Many were resettled on scrubland near Woodburn, where they founded New Italy in 1882 — building a silk industry, dairies and forges from bare ground.
The full history, 1880 to today →
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, roughly halfway between Brisbane and Coffs Harbour. There is free parking, room for caravans and RVs, shaded picnic grounds, and leashed dogs are welcome throughout.
Opening hours, getting here & facilities →Free parking
Ample on-site parking, no time limits.
Caravans & RVs
Room to pull in — a popular stop on the highway run.
Picnic grounds
Shaded tables across the memorial park.
Dogs welcome
On lead, throughout the grounds.
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.
