Tai An

Tai An is a serene rural pocket in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, where rolling green hills meet the calving of dairy cows and the slow pace of country life. This tiny locality, just west of the Pacific Highway near Woodburn, offers travellers a genuine taste of hinterland Australia — think quiet back roads, historic farmsteads, and wide skies that turn peach and violet at dusk. It’s a place to pause, breathe, and connect with the agricultural heart of the region, all within easy reach of the coast.

Highlights & What to See

• Broadwater National Park: Just east of Tai An, this coastal park protects pristine beach ecosystems, ancient sand dunes, and paperbark wetlands. Walk the short Burrawang Walk to spot kangaroos and myriad birdlife, or fish from the sweeping beach.
• Historic Dairy Farmstays: Several working dairy farms in the Tai An area welcome visitors for farm tours, milking demonstrations, and homemade cheese tastings — a fantastic window into local rural life.
• Woodburn-Coraki Road Scenic Drive: This quiet, undulating route connects Tai An to the historic river town of Coraki, passing through lush farmland and offering glimpses of the Richmond River.
• Evans Head Heritage Airpark: A short drive north, this museum housed in a WWII RAAF base tells the story of the region’s wartime aviation history, with restored aircraft and memorabilia.

Suggested Time to Spend

Tai An itself is a brief stop — allow an hour or two to explore the immediate farm country and perhaps enjoy a farm tour. However, to truly appreciate the area, plan a half-day that includes Broadwater National Park and a drive to Coraki or Evans Head. Most visitors combine Tai An with a longer stay in the Northern Rivers, using it as a peaceful detour between Byron Bay and Yamba.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Coraki: A historic river town on the Richmond, with heritage pubs, antique shops, and a lovely riverside park — perfect for a lazy lunch.
• Evans Head: A classic coastal village with a surf beach, fishing jetty, and the Evans Head Living Museum; great for a swim or fish-and-chips by the water.
• Broadwater: The tiny settlement at the entrance to Broadwater National Park, offering basic supplies and access to the park’s walking trails.
• Woodburn: A service town on the Pacific Highway with a popular bakery, the historic Woodburn Hotel, and the Evans River for kayaking.
• Ballina: About 40 minutes north, Ballina boasts iconic Big Prawn, surf breaks, the Richmond River ferry, and excellent seafood.

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