20.3 C
Byron Shire
October 20, 2026

Get your art on this weekend

Latest News

Cinema: NAZA

A must-see, award-winning documentary investigating AI warfare in Gaza. Fresh from winning the Special Jury Prize at the 2026 Venice International Film Festival, NAZA, the latest documentary from Academy Award-winning filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor (No Other Land), examines artificial intelligence and surveillance in Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

Other News

Dear Brunswick

After 11 wonderful years, the time has come for our family to say farewell as owners of the Brunswick...

Something for everyone at the Picture House

From Australian superstar musos, to brand new documentaries, to comedians at the top of their game, there really is something for everyone at the Brunswick Picture House.

Wanderlust come to Mullum

Wanderlust invites the community to a magical evening celebrating connection and conscious living at the Wanderlust Night Market.

McAuleys estate changes approved, but pet ban and cycle path stay

Developers have secured approval for changes to a contentious Myocum subdivision, but requirements banning pets and providing a cycle path and vehicle turnaround will remain.

The price of ignorance

What often gets described as ‘racism’ in Australia is often based on plain old ignorance. People lacking the interest...

Activists arrested on gas platform

Greenpeace activists boarded Woodside's Scarborough gas platform off Western Australia on the weekend. After staying overnight, police removed the last two yesterday (Sunday 18 October).

The Annual Murwillumbah Art Trail this weekend the 28t–29 May. Photo supplied

This weekend they are predicting not a lot of rain and even a possibility of sunshine with only a bit of cloud, so there hasn’t been a better weekend to get out of the house, enjoy the potential of sunshine and take in a little art and culture on the Northern Rivers. 

The Murwillumbah Arts Trail (MAT) is on over this Saturday and Sunday and brings together artists and makers, the crafters, musicians, poets, storytellers and all the other creative people in the area to show off their skills and creativity. 

There are a total of 28 studios, galleries and bespoke locations on the trail that you can visit. Enjoy a drive through the picturesque Tweed region – from coast to river and hinterland, discovering back roads and hidden treasures in this wonderful corner of Northern NSW.

2022 MAT map

In the Murwillumbah CBD, at the centre of the trail, there will be over 70 artists exhibiting, live music, street art and more. So if you have a little cabin fever after all this endless rain, now is the time to get out and enjoy all teh amazing creativity this is on offer this weekend. 

Printed maps are available throughout town at the cafe’s, M|Arts Precinct’ and studio locations or online.



For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling.

If you are a local business owner help us and in turn we help you. All The Echo asks for is advertising, not a free ride. It is every advert in The Echo and on www.echo.net.au, which creates the space for all the stories and coverage of community events, happenings and concerns.

If you are a reader you can become a sponsor of The Echo. Your support keeps the us independent.

Even a small one-off or regular donation from you will help keep the echo’s independent voice alive and strong.

Support Us

Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire

You’re supporting The Echo, thank you

Your contribution is keeping independent, local journalism alive in the Northern Rivers.

Because of supporters like you, we can keep every story free for everyone — no paywall, no exceptions. Your money goes directly to funding our newsroom of 40-odd local workers covering the stories that matter to this community.

Tell us what you think, give us your opinion

The Echo loves your letters and comments and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, email us your epistles at editor@echo.net.au.

The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor. Please remember to include your full name, address and telephone number.

Online comments are no longer available.

Interview with Genevieve Clay-Smith, director of Boss Cat showing at the Byron Bay Film Festival

When Sonja (Olivia Hargroder) loses her mother without warning, the only steady presence left in her life is her grandmother, Doris. But Doris’s idea of stability means dismantling everything Sonja has built. For Sonja, who lives with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and has spent her life fighting to be underestimated by no one, Doris’ plan feels less like protection and more like erasure. Directed by Genevieve Clay-Smith, Boss Cat is a vibrant, big-hearted Australian dramedy about independence, family and self-determination, anchored by a fearless lead performance.

Something for everyone at the Picture House

From Australian superstar musos, to brand new documentaries, to comedians at the top of their game, there really is something for everyone at the Brunswick Picture House.

Thirty-six unmissable films

The 2026 Russell Hobbs British Film Festival features an unmissable line up 36 films, including five retrospectives which will screen from 28 October to 29 November at Palace Byron Bay and Ballina Cinemas.

A timeless story of self-discovery

A husband with a promotion, two adorable children and a lovely new house. Nora thought she had it all. But did she? What was the discontent that was whispering to her in the shadows?