The largest macadamia growing area in Australia is in the Byron Bay/Lismore/Ballina hinterland of northern New South Wales.

This area extending to the Gold Coast hinterland is the original home of the macadamia. The trees are endemic to the lush sub-tropical rainforest that existed here before white settlement.

Remnants of what was the largest sub-tropical rainforest in Australia can still be found in this area and surrounding national parks. The growing areas are mainly located in the rich volcanic soils south of Mount Warning (the remnant of the volcano) and the countryside is undulating scenic country, falling away to the Pacific Ocean.