An unplanned trip to Lismore, particularly when dealing with difficult family matters (family funeral planniing), can leave little time for personal planning. So if you should ever find yourself in Lismore with nothing planned, here are some fun things to do.
Head to the Lismore Workers Club for their Saturday meat raffles, kicking off every week from 1:00 pm. It’s a hugely popular event, drawing a crowd of maybe 200 people sitting around the main area. While I wasn’t lucky this time, I vividly recall winning enough meat trays here right before the 2022 Lismore flood to fully stock my sister’s freezer—a gesture that, sadly, didn’t survive the disaster along with everything else.
Take a moment to visit the Lismore River Mural. It’s a powerful tribute to the community’s resilience following the devastating 2022 flood. The artwork captures the scale of the disaster, which impacted far wider than just Lismore. It also highlights the legendary ‘Tinny Army’—the spontaneous, courageous local volunteers who used their small aluminium boats (tinnies) to rescue thousands of people from rising waters. On a lighter note, while trying to get a closer look at the mural recently, I briefly lost control of my mobility scooter—a minor wobble compared to the chaos the town endured, but certainly an unexpected adventure!
For a quick, satisfying Saturday lunch, I highly recommend Hing’s Chinese and Vietnamese Restaurant. I managed to slip in and grab an order, specifically the mixed entrée, just before their afternoon closing time of 2:00 pm. They are a staple of the local food scene, and a reminder that even after the floods, Lismore’s vibrant small businesses are still serving up quality food. Be sure to check their exact hours, but if you’re in the centre of town near lunchtime, it’s worth a visit!To engage with the region’s deep cultural heritage, visit the Lismore Regional Gallery. Right now, they are hosting an incredible exhibition dedicated to local Bundjalung women’s weaving. This is a wonderful opportunity to see contemporary Indigenous art, learn about the traditional practices of the local community, and appreciate the intricate artistry involved. The gallery is a fantastic, calming space in the heart of the city—a perfect place to find quiet reflection and connection to the Northern Rivers area.I wrapped up my day with a great meal at a nearby Indian restaurant before heading to the Metropole Hotel for the iconic local event, LOVEMORE. LOVEMORE is a brilliant, inclusive LGBTQIA+ night presented by the “Where Love Lives” initiative, dedicated to celebrating diversity and unity in the Northern Rivers. The atmosphere is always electric, pumped up by house and disco beats. On this particular night, the entertainment was capped off with a spectacular performance by local drag artist, Rubella, who brought the house down! While the dance floor was absolutely packed with people grooving to the music, I didn’t quite get my own mobility scooter out for a spin, though I got pretty close to joining in! It’s a wonderful place to experience Lismore’s big heart and vibrant community spirit.
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