Byron and Beyond - the local area
'Chameleon' was built outside the town of Mullumbimby, in the Byron Shire. This local government area covers an area of 566 square kilometers and is known as the Northern Rivers Region of New South Wales. It's located at Australia's eastern-most point, 180 km south of Brisbane, 800 km north of Sydney. The area is known for its rural beauty and surfing beaches.
The shire population of 30,724 lives mainly in its distinctive small coastal towns and hinterland villages, with 30% living in rural areas.
Income comes largely from tourism and agriculture. About 1.7 million tourists visit Byron each year. Thriving home-based businesses focus on alternative, cultural and knowledge industries, with an ever-growing population of artists, musicians, writers and filmmakers. Local farmers make use of the sub-tropical climate to grow the macadamia nuts native to the region, plus bananas, coffee, stone-fruits, blueberries, lychees, avocados and mangoes, with 'organic farming' and 'sustainable agriculture' currently hot topics.
[The contribution of North Coast Maps in providing the basis of much of this material is acknowledged]