Recently, I travelled to Scotland, an Australian beachside town and Italy before returning home all on the same day.
Mix Up.
How is it possible, you may ask? Get your thinking caps on, as the reveal is in the map. I would think in most countries around the world something like this is possible.
Maybe not the Australia bit. So many travellers get confused at times when booking flights to Sydney, yes cheap flights, to Sydney, Canada not Sydney, Australia. Go figure how travellers can get places mixed up!
See the full article here: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39459471
Scottish.
Now, let’s look at our travels to Scotland and the reasoning behind, and how it’s possible with some manipulation. The car (hint) journey took around two hours. Where was the destination? Maclean in northern New South Wales, Australia. Why Scotland? Maclean’s claim to fame is it’s the “Scottish town in Australia.” During the Easter weekend, the popular Maclean Highland Gathering occurs. This gathering has been held for over 100 years. Many street signs are in English and Scottish Gaelic. Power poles are painted with tartan patterns. And, there is a stone Cairn in one of the town’s parks.
Connections.
Another Scottish connection is the town has Australia’s oldest free Presbyterian Church which still holds services. Wandering the main street, you get the feel of Scotland minus the weather. Many shops have Scottish connections with banners, flags and of course, Scottish souvenirs.
Main Street.
As I strolled along the main street, I wondered how the first settlers felt and thought, in a place so far from their homeland in Scotland? The other question is, why did they choose this location? We will probably never know.
Beachside.
Time to head off to the beachside. The drive from Scotland to the Australian beachside takes about 30 minutes. The journey takes us through sugar cane fields and along the Clarence River. Upon arrival at the beach town of Yamba, one can tell it’s a hot tourist spot. The main cafes and restaurants are set amongst the Norfolk Pines. These venues are mostly crowded. It is around lunchtime. Looking back at the history of the town, one can imagine how the fishing industry took hold. The industry is still occurring in the town. This can be seen by the fishing vessels moored in the wharf areas. The mouth of the Clarence River is here.
After lunch and a drive along the foreshore, most areas appeared to be busy for a weekday. The town has been described by the CSIRO, as having the world’s best climate. I would think many other places in the world may say the same thing.
Italian.
It’s one road in and the same one out, so the journey back to the highway is uneventful except for the roadworks.
Time to head home but not before a short stop off in Italy – New Italy to be precise. Remember, we are still in northern New South Wales, Australia. It’s a lovely way to break up the drive home. The area was settled by many Italians settlers who can trace the origins back to the Marquis de Ray’s 19th century expedition.
Museum.
At the site, there is a museum that displays the history and lifestyle of the settlers. The families worked hard, growing grapes for wine, keeping silk worms and producing their own salamis and cheeses. On display at the museum are many photographs depicting various Italian regions.
Besides a restaurant and café area, there is an extensive Aboriginal cultural display in an adjacent building. Notices around the facilities advise visitors that the majority of those working at the site are volunteers.
Three.
Three different nations represented but within the same country. A fun day to explore different cultures from ancestors who decided to call Australia home.
The vast cultural differences between each of them within a fairly small area of the northern rivers of New South Wales shows how Europeans left their homelands to settle in a completely different environment.
Besides our “day” journey where we went to Scotland, an Australian beachside town and Italy, it’s an adventure our ancestors would never have dreamt. Visit your local area and get to know who was there before you…
Explore & Discover.
Acknowledgements
BBC News article: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39459471
Yamba photo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamba,_New_South_Wales
Both sites were accessed on 25 Jul 2026
All other photographs in the above have been taken on the day by me.
Ancestor Family 
There is always fun to be had in our family history journey. How many others can find their local areas where they can “step-back” in time to explore and discover? Always enjoy the adventure…
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