Beautiful Ballina
Waterside family delights
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 is a popular holiday destination with plenty of waterside attractions, including beautiful beaches, delightful river cruises and exhilarating kayaking tours. 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 river with Richmond River Cruises and discover more about the area with Kayak Ballina Tours.
Bushwalking is great way to experience the colourful birdlife. The town is close to the splendid national parks of Broadwater and Bundjalong, where you can go canoeing on Evans River. For a heritage walk, take the Ballina Historic Waterfront Trail and you might see dolphins frolicking.
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, including the Ballina Fine Food and Wine Festival and the Ballina Prawn Festival.
Must do
- Surf at Ballina’s gorgeous beaches
- Visit the Australian Seabird Rescue
- Walk the Historic Waterfront Trail
- Go nuts at Macadamia Castle
- Browse the vibrant Ballina Market
- Tour the Naval and 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 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, Melbourne or Newcastle are available daily, with four operators – Jetstar, Regional Express, Virgin Australia and FlyPelican – servicing the region.
