Creative Casino

 

 Jing-gee-Walla

Casino is located in the Northern Rivers district of New South Wales Australia.  Casino is on Bundjalung Country and is known as Djnangmum in the local Galibal people's language (traditional owners of the land).  Casino was not a gold mining town despite its name no one hit the jackpot, it was originally named Cassino after Cassino (near Monte Cassino) in Italy. The extra "s" is believed to be removed due to a spelling error on official documents. 

Casino is known as the beef capital of Australia which relies on the cattle and timber industry to support the town.  Cattle might be significant to the town of Casino but the local first nations people their Totem is the platypus.  The platypus is featured in many murals and artworks around the town. The recent water tower mural in South Casino located on the corner of Hare and Walker street depicts four scenes representing the people, culture and nature of Casino. A platypus, black swan, First Nations woman and a farmer.  It is a wonderful mural and is great to see it finished, as sadly the rain and floods delayed completion of it. It was created by Queensland artists Brightsiders and Steve Falco.

 

 Richmond River

More platypus art is featured in the Richmond River with a stunning platypus carving by Mike Thorman created in 1994 that was carved into the river bed. It can be viewed when the river water is low.  At the time I visited the river water was high but I could still still a bit of one of the platypus sculpture.

 Community Mural

A lovely mural is featured on the Casino Memorial Swimming Pool outside wall. It is located in Centre. street. It shows happy families, local nature and First Nations Culture. It was painted by Trish and Ty Heaven in 2016.

School Murals

The local public schools also feature beautiful bright murals of local nature and celebrate the local First Nations people, the Galibal clan. The below murals at Casino West Public school were painted by Jacqui Doran.

Casino public school also features lovely murals by Breakaway art (Samantha Wortelhock) featuring the Galibal peoples Totem the platypus. Another mural is featured on the wall beside picnic tables this was painted by Corey Mills from CM-Graffiti Murals and Designs.

Artist unknown

Artist unknown

CM-Graffiti Murals and Designs

 

 Creative Casino

Jambama art Gallery located at 30 Cassino Drive featured local First Nationals art. Unfortunately when I visited it was closed but I was able to see the the lovely sign which features a platypus. The Casino Tafe also feature artworks with platypus and native flora and fauna.

 

Artist unknown but maybe by Rhys Fabris

Artist unknown maybe by Tafe students

Artist unknown maybe by Tafe students

Casino's nature murals continue with a stunning mural in the main street Walker street. It was painted in 2017 by Harry Armstrong and features local flora and fauna around the Richmond river.

 Natural Beauty

Casino is full of natural beauty from the lovely picturesque views of the Richmond River to the Jabiru Geneebeinga wetlands. The wetlands are named after the Jabiru, a beautiful black headed stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) that ranges as far from West India, Southern and Eastern Pakistan, Nepal, South East Asia, through to New Guinea and the Northern half of Australia. The Jabiru Genebeeinga Wetlands is a haven for native and migratory bird life and other wildlife.  It is just a short drive from the Casino CBD and is lushest and green and there are picnic tables at the entrance.

Miniature Railway

The casino miniature railway has been running for 25 years and is a non for profit organisation that provides a miniature ride on train service that runs through the Jabiru Genebeeinga Wetlands to the old Casino train station, that is now an operating train history museum. It operates Sunday 10am-4pm. It's great fun for both Adults and kids.

 Final Thoughts

Casino is a charming place and the people are friendly and welcoming. With the new addition of the water tower mural I'm sure many more tourists will flock to Casino. If you enjoy my blog and videos please consider helping me out with my trips by joining my patreon here. 

 Below is a video featuring more of my trip to Casino