MOUNT Burrell is a long way from Madrid, but no less cosmopolitan according to resident Marta Stobbie.
Her parents made the long trek to Australia to Wollongong many years ago, but Ms Stobbie made a further trek and a tree change that brought her to the quaint village that sits beneath Mount Burrell and Sphinx Rock.
"I was a nurse and then ran a video shop at Dapto," she said.
"But I love working at the fruit and veggie stall at Mount Burrell.
"I meet people from all over the world and I look at a magnificent mountain every day.
"With a steady stream of travellers coming through it makes life pretty interesting for me.
"We sell as much local produce as possible so people get the real thing."
But the village is more than a pit stop.
With the Sphinx Rock cafe that has great meals, including gluten free and live music every Sunday afternoon, a general store, fruit and veggie shop and a close-knit, friendly community that has a welcome for everyone, it's a great place to stop for a rest and a natter.
"We sit halfway between Nimbin and Murwillumbah, so it's a great place to stop for petrol, food and you even get some entertainment," Ms Stobbie said.
"I love it here.
"I wouldn't live anywhere else now."
