Daniel and Naomi Simpson took over the Woodburn pub located in the Northern Rivers NSW almost 20 years ago. Daniel had earned his management degree while working at the prestigious Mingara Recreation Club on the Central Coast. It was there he met Naomi, who was studying to become a teacher.
When they moved to Woodburn New South Wales, they brought their young family. Hayden, Amelia, and Kai came with them. They also brought a vision for a welcoming, family-friendly venue. The Woodburn pub became more than just a stopover on the Pacific Highway. It became a community hub with personal service.
The Pacific Highway bypass changed traffic patterns through Woodburn New South Wales. Then COVID hit the hospitality industry hard. But the Simpson family adapted. They focused on serving locals and travellers who discovered the charm of the area. The Woodburn pub located on the Northern Rivers NSW remained a gathering place for the community.
Daniel and Naomi added a courtesy bus service. It runs Thursday to Saturday nights. This convenience helped guests explore the area safely. The family-owned and operated hotel maintained its personal service approach throughout every challenge.
In March 2022, two massive flood events struck Woodburn weeks apart. The Richmond River rose to unprecedented levels, and 2.5 metres of muddy water tore through the Woodburn pub, destroying nearly everything inside. But the community response was incredible, volunteers travelled from as far as Canberra to help the Simpson family rebuild. The family purchased the freehold during recovery and committed to the venue’s future in the Northern Rivers NSW.
The Simpson family rebuilt stronger, renovating the 10 motel rooms with free Wi-Fi and TV. The bistro reopened with its full seven-day schedule, the beer garden was restored, and the indoor kids’ play area with came back better than ever.
The Simpson family understood what families needed on the Northern Rivers NSW. They installed a kids’ play area with a climbing wall. This rare feature for regional accommodation set the venue apart. They also offered seven-day bistro dining. Lunch runs from 12pm to 2:30pm. Dinner is served from 5:30pm to 8:30pm or 9pm daily.
Daniel and Naomi built the brewery from scratch. They wanted to create a destination for holidaymakers. Evans Head had no brewery despite its tourist traffic. The on-site brewery opened in 2024. It now serves eight beers on tap. Guests can enjoy them in the beer garden. They can also take them home from the bottle shop.
The brewery added another dimension to the experience. Local beer enthusiasts discovered a new gathering place. The beer garden became a hub for both locals and visitors. This family-owned and operated venue located on the Northern Rivers NSW now offers accommodation, dining, and craft beer all in one location.
Today, Rod N Reel stands as a testament to family determination. The venue combines affordable accommodation with local brewery operations. It offers family-friendly facilities that are rare in regional areas. The strategic location serves travellers heading to Evans Head, Ballina, and Byron Bay.
Woodburn sits in the Northern Rivers NSW, a region defined by the catchments of the Clarence, Richmond, and Tweed rivers. Located 590-820 kilometres north of Sydney, the Northern Rivers has been home to the Bundjalung Nation for 60,000 years. European settlers arrived in the 1800s and established runs along the fertile river valleys of the Northern Rivers NSW.
The Richmond River flows through Woodburn New South Wales in the Northern Rivers NSW. It has always been both a blessing and a challenge. It nourishes the land but occasionally reminds locals of its power. The 1974 flood barely reached ankle height in the Woodburn pub. But 2022 would tell a very different story for this Northern Rivers NSW community.
The Northern Rivers NSW region stretches from the Queensland border to the Mid North Coast. Woodburn New South Wales sits strategically just off the Pacific Highway. It’s just 10 minutes from Evans Head and 30 minutes from Ballina. This makes it an ideal stopover for travellers exploring the Northern Rivers NSW area.
Woodburn Hotel, Motel & Craft Brewery – Your Perfect Northern Rivers Stopover. Let us know if you have any questions about our bistro, brewery or accommodation facilities.
Daniel and Naomi Simpson have owned and operated Rod N Reel in Woodburn located on the Northern Rivers NSW for almost 20 years. They took over the pub nearly two decades ago and have weathered multiple challenges including the Pacific Highway bypass, COVID, and the devastating 2022 floods. After the floods, they purchased the freehold and opened the on-site brewery in 2024.
In March 2022, two massive flood events struck Woodburn weeks apart. The Richmond River rose to unprecedented levels, and 2.5 metres of muddy water tore through the pub, destroying nearly everything inside. The cleanup was horrendous, but the community response was incredible, with volunteers travelling from as far as Canberra to help the Simpson family rebuild.
Yes, the Rod N Reel features an indoor kids’ play area with a climbing wall—a rare feature for regional accommodation in the Northern Rivers. Because the Simpson children grew up around the pub, Daniel and Naomi understand what families need. The venue also has a beer garden and serves family-friendly meals seven days a week.
Rod N Reel is located at 99-103 River Street, Woodburn, in the Northern Rivers region. It’s perfectly positioned just 10 minutes from Evans Head, 30 minutes from Ballina Airport, and 45 minutes from Byron Bay. This makes it an ideal stopover for travellers exploring the Far North Coast of New South Wales.
Rod N Reel Brewery opened in 2024 after Daniel and Naomi rebuilt following the floods. They built the brewery from scratch to create a destination for holidaymakers, as Evans Head had no brewery despite its tourist traffic. The brewery now serves eight beers on tap, with options to enjoy them in the beer garden or take them home from the bottle shop.