Location

Uki (pronounced "you-kye") is located in the far north eastern corner of NSW and is approximately

5 minutes from the turnoff to the World Heritage-listed rainforest of Mount Warning National Park

12 minutes from Murwillumbah

30 minutes from Mullumbimby, Nimbin and the surfing beaches of Cabarita (Bogangar) and Kingscliff

40 minutes from the Gold Coast International Airport (Coolangatta)

45 minutes from Byron Bay, Bangalow and Currumbin

90 minutes from Brisbane via the new Tugan Bypass

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Uki Village

The Uki Guesthouse occupies a prime position overlooking Uki Village and the historic Butter Factory. Village amenities include a pharmacy, dentist, hairdresser, bakery, cafe, organic produce shop, small supermarket, laundromat, pottery and the Mt Warning Hotel - all within close walking distance.

The Uki Medical Centre has been approved and is located next to the Uki Pharmacy. We hope to see it operational within the next six months.

The Lounge Lizard Cafe and Providore

Jennifer and Stephen are soon to open Uki's newest shop, the Lounge Lizard Cafe and Providore. They promise exciting fresh ideas, local produce, specialised items, homebaked goodies and great coffee. We look forward to their opening in March 2010.

Uki Cafe

Adjacent to the Guesthouse is the licenced Uki Cafe, open 7 days a week 8am - 3.30pm. Jenny & Joe's menu includes a variety of burgers, tortillas, fresh salads and juices as well as daily specials. Local musicians usually provide live entertainment during Sunday lunch.

Farmers Markets

The local Farmers Markets are held in the village hall every Saturday morning. Pick up some fresh, locally-grown bananas from Scott or some of Anita's delicious gluten-free muffins and a jar (or few) of her ever-popular homemade Whiskey Marmalade.

Buttery Bazaar

The Buttery Bazaar is held on the third Sunday of every month, and although the stallholders vary from month to month, the event is primarily an outlet for our local artisans.

Glo Dances

Glo Dances (aimed at the 30 - 60 yr age bracket) are held on the Friday closest to the full moon at the Uki Hall. Tickets are generally available at the door for about $20.

Ukitopia

The Ukitopia Arts Collective consists of a local group of talented artists and musicians, who organise various community events in order to celebrate art and music in all its forms. Besides the annual Ukitopia Festival (next due 20 & 21 November 2010), they host dinners, caberets, workshops, parties and youth events. The Ukitopia Arts Collective Inc is a non-profit organisation.

Nearby Villages

Stokers Siding - visit Julie'sStokers Siding Pottery
Tyalgum - try the rose lemonade at Flutterbies
Mt Burrell - enjoy lunch at Jon & Sharon's popular Sphinx Rock Cafeand grab some fresh, locally-grown fruit at Des's Mt Burrell Fruit Stall.

Mount Warning

Mt Warning, Uki

Uki is situated on the banks of the upper Tweed River and nestled at the foot of Mt Warning - the central basalt plug of one of the most extensive shield volcanos the world has ever seen. Today Mt Warning stands at 1157 metres, and is the highest, most easterly point in Australia, making it the first place of the Australian mainland to be touched by the rising sun at Autumn and Spring Equinox.

When it last erupted 23 million years ago, the Tweed Volcano was almost 2 km higher than it currently stands and covered a massive 5000 sq km. The erosion caldera formed since the last eruption is easily visible on satellite pictures and Google Earth as the rim of the Tweed Valley - the largest erosion caldera in the southern hemisphere.

It is not surprising that such a dominant geological feature (given the name "Mt Warning" by Captain Cook in 1770 to caution future mariners of dangerous offshore reefs) was, and remains, spiritually and culturally significant to the traditional landowners, the Tweed Aborigines.

The dual naming of Mt Warning Wollumbin is controversial. Some Tweed Aborigines know Mt Warning asWulambiny Momoli(Turkey Nest) and identify the mountains to the northeast asWollumbin(Fighting Chief, place of death and burial).

Mount Warning was dedicated as a National Park in 1966 and included in the UNESCO World Heritage Listings in 1986.

Australia's Green Cauldron

Some areas of Australia are so special, so unique, that they deserve particular recognition. In 2008 the federal government launched the National Landscape Program and selected 8 regions across Australia as "must see" premier locations. Along with the likes of Kakadu and the Great Ocean Rd, the Mt Warning Wollumbin Caldera was awarded special status as a National Landscape icon by the Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP, and the Minister for the Environment, Peter Garrett MP

Australia's Green Cauldron stretches from Byron Bay to the Gold Coast and was selected because of the area's unique and distinctive natural and cultural experiences including the world's second largest shield volcano crater, our immense environmental biodiversity, rich Aboriginal heritage and, of course, Mount Warning itself.

The Border Ranges are one of the most biodiverse areas in Australia (second only to Daintree).

Uki is the closest village to Mt Warning, surrounded by the Border Ranges and in the centre of Australia's Green Cauldron. We are personally proud to have played a small part in the selection process by accommodating senior officers from the Dept of Tourism.

Australia's Green Cauldron.pdf

Key Highlights

Hike to the rim of an ancient volcano and take in a vast panorama of Gondwanan forest and farmlands.
Follow the drive loops and trails of the Rainforest Way through six World Heritage-listed National Parks.
Feel Australia's first rays of sunlight at the top of Mt Warning.
Sample exotic fruits, organic vegetables and unique bush tucker fresh from the farm.
Dive or snorkel with turtles and hundreds of species of fish where the caldera meets the coast

Rainforest Way

The Rainforest Way is a series of drives that lets you explore the spectacular World Heritage listed Rainforests and National Parks of Northern NSW and South East Queensland.Rainforest Way - Mt Warning Circuit

Clarrie Hall Dam & Crams Farm

Clarrie Hall Dam is a few minutes' drive from Uki, and surrounded by the forests and catchment area of Crams Farm near Midginbil. It is considered to be one of the prettiest dams of the state. The main function of Clarrie Hall Dam is to provide fresh water for the people of the Tweed Valley, and recreational activities include

Picnicking and other outdoor activities for families
Bush walking
Sports fishing
Bird watching
Photography
Canoeing
Sailing

Facilities include shelter sheds, picnic areas with tables and chairs, toilets, electric and wood barbecues and a children's playground.

Clarrie Hall Dam also supports several significant bird species, including the vulnerable Lotus bird ie comb-crested jacana (Irediparra gallinacea) and the endangered black-necked stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus).

Fishing Monthly describe Clarrie Hall Dam as "one of New South Wales' finest fishing destinations". The Australian Bass Association hold its annual Bass Classic Competition at the Clarrie Hall Dam each January long weekend.