Ballina

Ballina is the ideal place for those who prefer a totally relaxing vacation in a forgotten paradise. It is located at the mouth of Richmond River and surrounded with magnificent white sand beaches, being touched by crystal clear turquoise water. You will feel yourself like in a postcard! If you would like to observe this beauty from a different point of view, make your way to one of the lookouts. Ballina Rotary Lookout is located on Sulva Street and it offers a breathtaking 360 degree panorama of Ballina and the neighborhood up to the horizon. Pat Morton Lookout is located on the north and has a slightly different scope that focuses on the whole area in the direction of Byron Bay.

Ballina and its surroundings offer every kind of known fun. Water sports and animal watching are, of course, the most desired ones. 32km of white sand beaches are the live witnesses of tempting surf. Lennox Reef is home to a variety of marine species that are must-sees. Shelly Beach has rock pools in the nearby, just waiting to be discovered. Lighthouse Beach is occupied by numerous bird and reptile-kind inhabitants and is also on the way of Humpback Whales during their migration from June to October. Abundance of dolphins and pelicans can also be seen while enjoying a pleasant walk through Kerry Saxby Walkway.

And last but not the least, Killen Falls... These magnificent falls are surrounded by a 2.7 hectares rainforest which is supposed to be hardly 1% of the original rainforest that was once located in the whole area between Byron Bay, Ballina and Lismore. Don't forget to explore the hidden cave behind the waterfall. Just keep in mind that a variety of bat species are waiting for you inside and it is recommended to be silent in order to prevent them from getting disturbed.

Ballina is situated on the NSW coastal line ~750km north of Sydney. The trip from Sydney to Ballina is a 12 hour convenient trip with Greyhound, departing several times a day. If you prefer a shorter trip instead, consider taking the bus from Brisbane as Ballina is less than 200km away from Brisbane.