THEY SAY THAT GOOD THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES AND IN GEMLIFE’S NEW LIFESTYLE SHOW LIVING PROOF’S HIDDEN GEM’S SEGMENT, THE CHARMING TINY TOWN OF FEDERAL IN NORTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES PROVES TRUE TO THIS OLD ADAGE.
Hosted by actor-performer Graham Moore, a long-time live event and television presenter, the segment explores the quaint hinterland village, which is a winding, scenic 20-minute drive from Byron Bay in the Northern Rivers Region.
Most travellers come across Federal for the first time enroute to Minyon Falls, a 100-metre plunge waterfall on Repentance Creek in Nightcap National Park, Whian Whian.
Graham, who lived overseas for several years while working as an entertainment director for a theme park in Abu Dhabi, has travelled the world but had never heard of Federal.
“It’s a fascinating little village. It’s a one-street town surrounded by rural properties and land, and has a strong community feel to it,” he said.
“The main street features old buildings and tin sheds, a great coffee shop, an old general store which doubles up as a post office and liquor shop, plus a Japanese restaurant called Federal Doma Café which got a great review in the New York Times a few years ago.”
Like most small towns, Graham said there were some fascinating characters living and working in Federal.
“I spoke to a unique interior designer who has an old shed from where she sells mosaic tiles imported from overseas, terracotta and glazed tiles, as well as creating her own designs,” he said.
“On the corner of the main street I also got to speak to an interesting artist and potter, Natalia, who has her own studio where she makes cups and other homewares which she sells directly to customers as well as home and gift stores.
“I can’t wait to introduce GemLife homeowners to this little gem of a town.”
Federal was established in the late 1800s and has a population of about 1000 people.