New Italy Museum stands on acreage that was once part of the original New Italy Settlement, between Ballina and Yamba in Northern NSW. New Italy Museum Inc. was established to honour immigrants who founded the settlement in the 1880s. The museum and surrounding facilities provide visitors with a unique glimpse into the history of Italian pioneers in Australia.
The fascinating and comprehensive New Italy Museum highlights the Italian pioneers’ journey, resilience and contribution to the development of regional areas. Dedicated volunteers wanted to preserve the memory of these Italian families and, during the 1980s and 1990s, built the mud-brick Museum and Café, the Italian Pavilion, a Community Hall, Gift Shop and Glass Art Workshop.
In 1882, survivors of the ill-fated De Rays Expedition - most of them Italian immigrants from the region of Veneto in northern Italy - took up a conditional purchase farm of 40 acres near Woodburn in the northeast region of New South Wales, on the banks of the Richmond River. The settlement was originally called Cèa Venessia (Little Venice) but was later renamed New Italy.
The New Italy Museum and Italian Pavilion exhibit a treasure trove of personal artefacts, extensive memorabilia, traditional crafts, and historical documents. Together, they tell the story of the 40 Italian families who overcame hardship following their failed expedition and went on to form a thriving community, as well as giving a broader history of Italian migration to Australia.
Conveniently located on the Pacific Highway, New Italy Museum is a great stop for history buffs and curious visitors keen to learn about this interesting part of Australian-Italian culture.
Historic New Italy is a wonderful place for travellers to enjoy an Italian experience, a ‘real’ Italian coffee and old-fashioned hospitality, while learning about Australia’s rich Italian history.
The site includes the Historic New Italy Museum and Italian Pavilion, a place for visitors to gain an insight into pioneering Italian settlers. There’s the delightful Casa Vecchia Gift Shop with a range of Italian-designed products, MyBelle Pantry offering pesticide-free bulk foods and fresh produce and Tastes of New Italy Café serving delicious Italian Food and Coffee.
Visit the Glass Art Gallery and Workshop to browse through the work of talented glass artists or just take time to relax in the peaceful rural landscape of New Italy.
New Italy Museum Complex is built on acreage that was once part of the original New Italy Settlement on the Pacific Highway between Ballina and Yamba in Northern NSW.
Why is it called New Italy? In 1882, Italian immigrants from the region of Veneto in northern Italy, who survived the ill-fated De Rays Expedition, took up a conditional purchase farm of 40 acres near Woodburn. The site was originally called Cèa Venessia (Little Venice), but the name was later changed to New Italy.
New Italy Museum is open every day (including Public Holidays) except Christmas Day. Opening hours are 7 am to 5 pm daily, and on Public Holidays, 10 am to 3 pm.
Entry is free, but donations are welcome to support the ongoing preservation of the complex.
Our team is always happy to help if you have any questions about us or our tours. Fill out our form and we will get back to you soon.
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