The area was subtropical rainforest, part of the Bundjalung nation, before the Big Scrub was cleared in the late 19th century. A remnant of the forest is at nearby Booyong Flora Reserve. The red-brown soil is derived from a basaltic flow from the nearby Mount Warning and later volcanic flows from the Nightcap Range. Average annual rainfall at Lismore is 1340 mm and 1733 mm at Byron Bay.