A flourishing domestic tourist destination has sprung up on the temperate plateau just north of Inverell.
Subscribe now for unlimited access to all our agricultural news
across the nation
or signup to continue reading
Heather Parsons returned to her family's plot with her husband Les in 1976, and they have since developed an olive oil business with a bustling cellar door.
Mrs Parsons's grandchildren are the sixth generation to live on the land.
Today they make their living off the passing trade, which includes day trippers and coach tours.
According to Mrs Parsons, nearly all visitors are domestic, and mostly from north of the border.
"I would say 80 per cent of our visitors are from Queensland," she said.
She does not regret the family's turn to tourism.
"The people that come here are all so nice, they give us thank you cards and they really seem to love it.
"I do love it too, I give everybody a cuddle and a kiss goodbye when they leave."
The family's cellar door business offers a range of local produce, including their Oilves of Beaulieu branded products and a range of other products which complement the premium olive oil from their groves.
The Parsons' daughter Tracy makes a range of spice mixes, while local producers have their jams, honey and sauces on the shelves.
Mrs Parsons's family have lived on the plateau since the late 1880s.
- MIKE FOLEY
Mike Foley
Senior journalist for The Land.
Senior journalist for The Land.
