Our first long weekend since June will be glorious weather-wise in Lismore and the Northern Rivers.

The Bureau of Meteorology weather charts show sunny days ahead with the mercury climbing from 24 degrees tomorrow to 31 degrees on Labour Day Monday.

As reported earlier, the police are running Operation Labour Day with double demerit points in place until 11:59pm Monday (October 6).

The other significant part of this long weekend is the start of Daylight Saving on Sunday for 2025/26.

If you use clocks in your household, don't forget to turn them forward 1 hour before you go to bed on Saturday night. At 2am, NSW time moves forward to 3am. The noticeable change will be for those who travel to Queensland, with the 1-hour time difference running for five months.

As you would expect on a local long weekend, the events area is quiet. However, coming up in the run-up to Christmas is looking busy:

COMING UP

• Lismore Show: Thursday, October 16 to Saturday, October 18
• Final Nimbin Roots Festival: Friday, October 24 to Sunday, October 26
• Eat The Street: Saturday, November 15

MARKETS

The Lismore Farmers Markets will be on tomorrow from 7:30am to 11:30am at the Lismore Showgrounds.

All the usual fresh fruit and veg, breakfast, spring seedlings, and live music from Verandah Fridays.

ARTS

The Bulaan Buruugaa Ngai exhibition is on at the Lismore Regional Gallery at 11 Rural Street, Lismore, between 10 and 4pm on Saturday and Sunday. The gallery is not open on Monday's.

Nine ancestral woven objects held in the Australian Museum Collection are on display. The historic pieces stand alongside ten newly commissioned works by contemporary Bundjalung, Yaegl, Gumbaynggirr, and Kamilaroi artists.

THINGS TO DO

If you are looking to amuse the kids over the long weekend, there is plenty to see and do:

• Rollerworld is open every day over the school holidays on Bridge Street, North Lismore.
• Rail Trail: start from the old South Lismore train station and ride as far as you are able. That could be Nesbitt Park in South Lismore, Bentley or the full 30kms to Casino.
• The new Lismore Skatepark in the CBD
• Captain Rous Park Mountain Bike Trails at 2 Hamlet Road, Goonellabah.
• Bushwalks in the hills: there are numerous bush walks such as Rocky Creek Dam, Minyon Falls, Protestor Falls, Big Scrub Loop and more. Check them out in the App Walks or on the website.
• The Lismore Memorial Baths will be open across the weekend 9am to 5pm. However, the Goonellabah Sports & Aquatic Centre will be closed.

The Lismore Recycling & Recovery Centre (tip) will also be closed. It is bin collection as normal on Monday.

LIVE MUSIC

The Northern Rivers Hotel, Bridge Street, North Lismore has Khanage tonight from 7pm to 10pm.

The Lismore Workers Club has a Flying Forties big band night of music on Saturday night (October 4).

Penny Pavlakis, Greg Gould and friends celebrate the music of Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Nat King Cole and more with their 9-piece big band: October 4 at 8pm. Tickets are $49 + $5 booking fee, click here.

Coming up at the Lismore Workers Club:

• Women Up North Spring Gala: November 8 from 6pm. All proceeds go towards housing for women and children experiencing domestic violence or abuse.
• The Noughty Nineties Party featuring all your favourites like Blink 182, Shania Twain, Britney Spears, Robbie Williams and Beyonce. Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 7:30pm.

CHEAPEST FUEL PRICES

Fuel prices were steady across Lismore, Casino and Ballina this week. If you are heading to the beach, Ballina is still the cheapest town to fill the tank over the long weekend.

Here is the list of the cheapest service stations:

• E10 is 176.9 at the EG on Diadem Street near Lismore Square and Coles Express on Dawson Street, 172.3 at The United on Johnston Street in Casino, and 165.5 at the Mobil and The Metro on River Street, Ballina.
• Unleaded 91 is 173.9 at the Astron on Ballina Road, 174.3 at The United on Johnston Street in Casino, and 167.5 at the Metro and the Mobil on River Street, Ballina.
• U95 is 182.9 at the two Independents on Terania Street, North Lismore and the Liberty on Ballina Road, Lismore, 198.9 at the EG Ampol on Canterbury Street, and 179.5 at The Metro on River Street, Ballina.
• U98 is 190.9 at the Liberty on Ballina Road, Lismore, 194.9 at the two Independents on Hare and Centre Street in Casino, and 187.5 at The Metro on River Street in Ballina.
• Diesel is 178.9 at the Astron on Ballina Road in Lismore, 181.9 at The United and the Casino Roadhouse on Johnston Street, and the two Liberty's on Hare and Centre Street in Casino, and 185.5 at Metro and the Mobile on River Street in Ballina.

Have a great long weekend!

Now, have a laugh with the Friday Funnies.....