Beautiful Ballina
Ballina is a bustling holiday town and home of the Big Prawn, one of Australia’s iconic big things. At the mouth of the beautiful Richmond River, Ballina is also blessed with gorgeous beaches and great surf, and you’ll be delighted with the locally caught seafood.
About Ballina
Ballina Coast and Hinterland is home to 32km of pristine coastline, lush rainforests, untouched National Parks, diverse wildlife, quaint hinterland towns, stunning waterfalls and world class surf breaks. Watch the fishing boats head for sea at sunset and taste the catch of the day at the town’s restaurants and cafes.
With 25 km of cycle paths, explore the Richmond River and coastline with hired bicycles from Transition Cycles, The Bicycle Emporium or Sunrise Cycles. You can also tour the meandering Richmond River with options to cruise, kayak or try a fishing charter.
Bushwalking is a great way to experience the colourful birdlife in our region. Explore the spectacular coastline from Ballina to Lennox Head on the shared-use Coastal Recreational Path. For a heritage walk, take the Ballina Historic Waterfront Trail along the Richmond River to North Wall and you are likely to see dolphins frolicking. Or head inland to Alstonville and picnic at the Victoria Park Boardwalk and Nature Reserve.
During whale-watching season, the Ballina coastline is great for spotting migrating whales. You’ll find plenty of accommodation options in Ballina and check out the events calendar for festivals and markets at discoverballina.com.au.
Must do
- Surf at Ballina’s gorgeous beaches
- Visit the Australian Seabird & Turtle Rescue
- Walk the Historic Waterfront Trail
- Go nuts at the Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
- Browse the Ballina Farmers Market on a Sunday morning
- Tour the Ballina Naval & Maritime Museum
Flying into Ballina Airport
Ballina Byron Gateway Airport is located 5 km from Ballina’s town centre and 35 km from Byron Bay. Use the shuttle bus or taxi services available at the airport terminal to make the short trip to these coastal destinations. Alternatively, rent a car from the hire services available at the airport and explore the region at your own pace.
Direct flights from Sydney or Melbourne are available daily, with Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia servicing the region.
For more information visit ballinabyronairport.com.au
