Being right in the heart of the region, Casino offers visitors seeking a hinterland experience at relaxed pace, excellent shopping facilities, ample quality holiday accommodation, a variety of recreational pursuits and a range of tourist attractions.
Casino is central to many rainforest national parks including World Heritage listed Border Ranges, Richmond Range and Cambridge Plateau forest drive. Also, its close proximity to the Upper Clarence with its many wilderness delights makes Casino the ideal base for exploring the natural wonders of the region.
With its wide, tree lined streets. Art Deco buildings and relaxed friendly community atmosphere, shopping in Casino is a pleasurable experience. The retail centre provides a variety of outlets from small, locally owned and operated stores in the CBD as well as a number of national chains.
A focal point for the town is the Richmond River where picnic spots and weirs are a drawcard for tourists as is the Platypus pool beneath the Irving Bridge where the traveller might catch a glimpse of one of these shy and beautiful creatures. The best viewing times are early morning or late evening.
Events
Casino hosts two major annual events. Casino Beef Week is an experience crammed full of entertainment and activities that runs for 7 days and demonstrates country living at its best. Cattle in the street, live steer auction, Breakfast with the Butchers and the main parade day. All this plus bush poets, a fashion parade, art and craft exhibition, a rodeos, country race meeting and more. All goes towards promoting what Casino is most famous for – beef.
Visit the Beef Week website - www.casinobeefweek.com.au
The other annual event, PRIMEX, is an exhibition for primary industries and is held over three days in June. It features exhibits of the latest technology for rural industries, attracting farmers from all over the Northern Rivers region.
The Agricultural Show in October is another popular event with residents and visitors alike.
A range of smaller events such as the Bushman’s Heritage Festival, Camp Oven Cook Off, Orchid Show and the Casino Garden Club's Flower Show and Fair occur across the year.
Jabiru Geneebeinga Wetlands
The Richmond River is popular for picnics and sightseeing, and the Platypus Pool, below Irving Bridge, sometimes offers a glimpse of these rare creatures. There are also shady parks with picnic facilities and numerous sporting venues. Adjacent to the Casino golf club is the Jabiru Geneebeinga Wetlands, a sanctuary for native birds and wildlife, which has a mini railway managed by the Pacific Coast Railway Society Inc. who offer half hour miniature train trips every Sunday.
The Casino Museum has an interesting collection of local memorabilia, antiques, photographs of early Casino, Aboriginal artifacts, household items from colonial times and farming equipment.
Court House
The official register records this attractive brick building as being constructed in 1861 but other souces claim that while the town did have a court house in the early 1860s that the present building was completed in 1882 and replaced an old timber building which had outlived its usefulness.
Parks
The parks along the banks of the Richmond River provide a welcome spot to stroll, picnic and enjoy nature. The Memorial park with its cairn, just upstream from the Irving Bridge, commemorates the crossing of the Richmond River by Europeans in 1840.
Platypus Pool
Although platypus are shy creatures, with patience and a little luck visitors may get to see them at Casino's Platypus Pool, located below the Manyweathers Weir, a block west of Centre Street.
St Marks Church of England
Built in 1904 and completed in July 1905 this church replaced the original Church of England, a timber building which was built in 1871.
Hotel Cecil
Casino's historic 'cattleman's pub', dates from 1919 when it was moved to its present site from its original position in Walker Street, by cutting it into sections and hauling them by bullock teams.
St Marys Catholic Church
St Marys was completed in 1939 and opened in 1941 by the Bishop of Lismore.
Historic Post Office
Located in Barker Street this two-storey brick building was completed in 1879. The original building provided an office, four rooms, a kitchen and a stable and was altered and extended in 1893 and 1915. It is still an impressive country post office.
Commercial Hotel
The Commercial Hotel on Barker Street was constructed in 1869 and renovated in 1890. This is one of the town's premier hotels and is now recognised as the second oldest business house in Casino.
Tattersalls Hotel
The Tattersalls Hotel was established in 1859 and consequently is Casino's oldest existing business. It was built by the local mail contractor, John Brown, and over the past 140 years has seen the town change from a dirt bullock track to the modern centre it is today.
Casino Mini Railway
The Pacific Coast Railway Society Inc. offers a miniature train trip every weekend. The trips are 25 minutes long and groups gather at the corner of West Street and Queensland Road every Sunday between 10.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m.
For further information visit the Casino Visitor Information Centre in Centre Street near the pool - www.visitrichmondvalley.com.au
