Chillingham ~ A Natural Village

Located just 15 minutes scenic drive from Murwillumbah on the far North coast of NSW, Chillingham village is the gateway to Springbrook National Park and the rock archway known as Natural Bridge. Behind the Bridge the mountain-fed waters of Cave Creek form a waterfall which plunges through the roof of a cave into a sparkling pool below, which then flows into the Nerang River and down the Numinbah Valley.  At night the forest and caves are alight with the largest glow-worm colony in Australia ~ a must-see for visitors and locals alike.

Walking into the Chillingham Store is a bit like walking back in time.  The charming general store and post office also has a delightful  beer garden where you can enjoy tea and scones and country-style cooking from breakfast to burgers for lunch.

The Store is centrally located to horse riding, bushwalking, crystal fossicking, 4WD trails, plant nurseries, rainforest tours, fishing, boating, golf, creeks, swimming holes and accommodation ~ just ask the locals for directions and they'll be only to happy to guide you to the best places to visit.

Next door to Chillingham Store you'll find the best place in the Tweed to shop for exotic tropical fruits and bush tucker specialities at Banana Cabana Fruit Barn and Bush Tucker Gardens.

Take a guided tour around the bush tucker orchard, or just relax with a coffee, ice-cream or the speciality of the house ~ chocolate-coated bananas!

Tucked away behind Chillingham Village Hall is a delight for the senses at Crystal Waters Hand-Made Soaps & Gift Shop. Each unique hand-made soap is lovingly crafted from natural organic products with no animal testing or food colouring involved in the process.

Crystal Waters is located at 1 Satinwood Place, Chillingham Village and is usually open from 11 to 2:30 weekdays and 9 to 5 on weekends. Trading hours can vary so please phone Sandy on (02) 6679 1308 for more information.

Just around the corner from the Store and Banana Cabana is the delightful Old Butchery Pottery Shop.

John, the owner and resident artist, welcomes browsers to peruse his very reasonably priced wares.

All pieces are made by John so stock changes almost daily. To see more of the old Butcher Shop Pottery please click HERE.

A little further on you'll find Errol Smith Woodturner working to produce beautifully hand turned bowls, vases, clocks and more - make an appointment to go along and have a chat with Errol and see how it's done. He works in a large shed next door to his house just a bit past the Old Butchery Pottery.

Also in Chillingham, but with viewing by appointment only, you'll be amazed at the workmanship in the one off pieces of jewellery made by Ian Buchanan ~ Gold and Silversmith
 

Phone: 02 6679 1116
Email: iantbuchanan@bigpond.com

Ian doesn't have a store front at the moment so you will need to phone or email him if you wish to see his range of hand crafted rings, brooches, pendants and ornaments.  Commissions by arrangement. Viewing by Appointment Only.

Want to stay in the area a little longer?

Multi Tourism Award winning Hillcrest Mountain View Retreat offers a choice of bed and breakfast in a private guest wing of the main house or separate Self Contained Cottage in its own private garden. Pictured right is the view to the gazebo by the solar heated pool at Hillcrest ~ which is only 5 minutes drive from Chillingham Store.  A peaceful and romantic spot, it's the perfect place to extend your stay and take time to really explore the area. 

For more information click HERE.

Just 15 minutes from Chillingham Village you'll find Tyalgum.  Famous for it's annual Classical Music Festival held in the Tyalgum Hall every September. For more information on Tyalgum Please Click HERE

Twenty minutes drive from Chillingham across the border into South East Queensland, and after stopping at the border gate to admire the fantastic view down across the valley, you'll come to Natural Bridge in Springbrook National Park.

The rock archway of Natural Bridge spans the mountain-fed waters of Cave Creek. Behind the bridge, the creek forms a waterfall which plunges into a gaping hole, disappearing into the depths of a cavern. From the pool below the bridge emerges a sparkling stream, which flows into the Nerang River and down the Numinbah valley.