October is Small Business Month! And to celebrate, we’re highlighting some of the great small businesses we have throughout the region.
Today for Small Business Month we have a design house turning imagination into innovation, a country cottage offering comfort and care, and a Walcha wonderland packed with character, collectibles and coffee.
Alternation
Creative thinking meets cutting-edge technology
Walcha, NSW 2354
Alternation is where artistry and innovation collide. This multidisciplinary design studio blends creativity, technology, and strategy to deliver bold, practical, and beautifully executed solutions. From branding and design to digital communication, web and software development, and full-scale video and audio production, the team at Alternation transforms ideas into experiences that inspire and engage.
Founded by creative powerhouse Kate Durack and tech visionary Michael Luchich, Alternation draws on more than 60 years of combined expertise. Kate’s eye for design and illustration brings an artistic depth to every brand, while Michael’s background in software, UX, and media production ensures every project is built on a rock-solid technical foundation. Together, they create work that’s as functional as it is visually striking.
Whether it’s crafting a new brand identity, building a website from the ground up, or producing a cinematic story that connects with audiences, Alternation merges old-school craftsmanship with modern innovation. The result is a studio that doesn’t just keep up with the times – it shapes them.
Poppy’s Cottage B&B
Where country charm meets heartfelt hospitality
Poppy’s Cottage, Malvern Hill, Dangarsleigh Rd, Armidale NSW 2350
Just five minutes from Armidale, Poppy’s Cottage offers a peaceful escape in the heart of the New England Ranges. Steeped in history, the 1860s settlers’ cottage has been lovingly restored into a warm, welcoming bed and breakfast surrounded by rolling hills, friendly animals, and a sense of simple country beauty. Guests are invited to unwind, explore the gardens, and enjoy a genuine farmstay experience that feels like coming home.
Hosts Poppy and Jake have been welcoming guests since 1991, creating a stay that’s equal parts comfort and connection. Visitors are treated to home-baked bread, seasonal jams, and a hearty breakfast hamper, often shared beneath the fruit trees. Children can collect eggs, meet the miniature horse Coki, and play alongside the resident border collie and ducks – all part of the charm that keeps guests returning year after year.
From the cottage’s cosy interiors to its scenic surrounds, Poppy’s Cottage embodies authentic New England hospitality. Whether you’re passing through on the highway between Sydney and Brisbane or seeking a weekend of calm and countryside warmth, this family-run farmstay offers a truly memorable experience filled with heart.
thebigblackbuilding
A treasure trove of vintage, quirky and collectible finds
5S Derby St, Walcha NSW 2354
At the crossroads of Thunderbolts Way and the Oxley Highway in Walcha, you’ll find something impossible to miss – thebigblackbuilding. Known affectionately as the BBB or the Big Black Shed, this massive retail emporium is packed wall to wall with antique, vintage, second-hand and collectible treasures. It’s the kind of place where you can lose track of time, discovering something new in every corner.
Owner Adam Iuston, a former Sydney local turned proud Walcha resident, dreamed of creating “the most awesome and sustainable business in the universe.” What he’s built is part tourist attraction, part nostalgia trip, and part community hub – all served with good coffee and great humour. Visitors often come for a quick browse and end up staying for hours, drawn in by the mix of curiosity, creativity and character that fills the space.
From retro furniture and rare finds to eccentric oddities and artful restorations, thebigblackbuilding is more than just a shop – it’s an experience. It celebrates sustainability, local spirit and the joy of discovering something truly one of a kind, right in the heart of the New England.
Throughout October, we’ll run stories highlighting the great local businesses we have right here in our communities. This is a free service – the businesses highlighted have not paid for this story.
Want to highlight your business? Just fill in this form – places are limited.
Please share this story to help support New England businesses! See all our Small Business Month profiles here.