Rappville - Richmond Valley

First settled by Europeans in the 1840s for cattle and cedar-getting, the area thrived in the 1860s with booming dairy production. Originally reliant on rough roads and river boats, transport transformed in 1905 when the railway extended south to Grafton.
Spotting an opportunity, John Murray built a sawmill beside the tracks. The resulting timber boom sparked a township around "Murray's Siding." By March 1911, the settlement was officially named Rappville after local pioneer Henry Rapp. That same year, Rapp opened the Commercial Hotel. Known today as the Rappville Pub, this iconic two-storey timber landmark served the region's railway workers and timber cutters.
Although the timber boom quietened after the 1930s, Rappville retained its rustic charm. The town even caught international attention in 2008 when the UK television drama "Heartbeat" filmed at the historic pub. Today, Rappville remains a peaceful village connected to its timber and beef roots, with its legendary pub standing tall as a reminder of its bustling past.