Welcome to Ballina Coast & Hinterland
Discover our unique natural wonderland and diverse cultural landscape. The Ballina Coast and Hinterland is home to 32km of pristine coastline, lush subtropical rainforests, untouched National Parks, diverse wildlife, quaint hinterland towns, stunning waterfalls and world class surf breaks.
Select towns on the map to discover more.
Newrybar
Newrybar is perfect for those who love their country escapes with a side of style. Discover local makers and curators, with unique shops packed with handcrafted, sustainable, and downright beautiful finds.
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Lennox Head
Laid-back Lennox Head is a leisurely (and very scenic) 10 minute drive north of Ballina. It is a mecca among surfers and its famous right hand break - Lennox Point - is one of the top ten surf breaks in Australia.
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Teven & Tintenbar
Teven and Tintenbar are charming hinterland hamlets just 10 minutes from Ballina
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Alstonville
Alstonville is a charming town surrounded by macadamia and avocado farms, pretty countryside and a friendly community. Nestles I the hinterland, halfway between Ballina and Lismore, it offers great cafes, a country pub in the heart of town and lovely gift shops.
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Ballina
Centred on an island at the mouth of the Richmond River, Ballina is the social and commercial hub of the region. The main street is lined with cafes, shops and picnic areas to relax by the river. East Ballina is the home to Ballina's calm waterways and pristine beaches.
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South Ballina
South Ballina is a tranquil coastal gem, known for its long, open beach, excellent fishing and natural beauty. Accessible from Ballina via the Burns Point Ferry or the Wardell exit on the highway, it’s the perfect location for a quiet camp spot, peaceful strolls along the break wall and birdwatching at Mobbs Bay. With sweeping views across the Richmond River and a rich cultural history, South Ballina offers a slower pace to reconnect with nature.
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Wardell
Situated upstream on the picturesque Richmond River, Wardell is a serene retreat surrounded by rolling sugarcane fields. It’s the perfect starting point for your journey along Tourist Drive 28. Don’t leave without sampling a famous Wardell pie – a treat as warm and welcoming as the village itself!
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What’s on
Whether you’re chasing live tunes, a good laugh or a weekend market stroll, there’s always something happening in the region. From festivals and stage shows to open mic nights and family events, find out what’s on during your visit.
Your Stay Starts Here
Looking for a place to stay? From cabins to glamping tents, tiny houses to retro motels, , you’ll find the perfect spot to unwind. Browse and book local accommodation across the Ballina Coast and Hinterland.
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Explore 10 Must-Do Coastal and Hinterland Walks
From leisurely seaside strolls to challenging hinterland hikes, we’ve rounded up the best scenic walks in Ballina and beyond. Lace up your walking shoes, pack some snacks, and let’s hit the trails!
Explore NowInspiration and ideas
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Boys’ weekend, Ballina edition. 🍻
Get the group chat going and lock in a weekend that balances a little action with plenty of time to unwind.
⛳️ Kick things off on day one with Ballina Virtual Golf, an easy warm-up that keeps everyone in play. Turn up the energy with a Paintball Skirmish session, then slow the pace with a BBQ boat cruise and a cruisy afternoon on the water. Settle in for the night at one of Ballina’s coastal campgrounds and let the ocean do the rest.
🚲 Day two is all about the great outdoors. Head inland to hit the trails at Duck Creek Mountain Bike Park, then, if the weather’s playing along, get out on the water with Fozies Fishing. Round out the day with a Behind the Barrel brewery tour and a taste of Ballina’s local beer scene.
☺️ Before heading home, take the edge off at SISU Ballina with a sauna or magnesium bath - the perfect reset after a weekend well spent.
We make it easy to plan a weekend that flows, visit our website for more ideas, link in bio.
The views from a Pat Morton Lookout speak for themselves 🤌🏼
A prime spot for a picnic sunrise to sunset and a great place to lay back and watch the surf action.
📍 Pat Morton Lookout, Lennox Head NSW
🎥 @lifestylegroup.ballina
Take a walk along the river frontage here in Ballina, it`s one of those spots you always come back to.
Quiet water, a bit of fresh air, and plenty of time to wander with no real plan, you come for a quick walk and end up staying longer than you meant to.
📍 River Walk, Ballina.
📷@silva.nomad
#discoverballina #ballinariver #riverwalk #visitnsw
The Ballina Coast & Hinterland is a bona fide tail-wagging destination. Think beach walks at golden hour, breezy paths with ocean views and plenty of spots where muddy paws are more than welcome 🐾
☕🏡 Eat, stay, repeat
From pet-friendly stays to cafés with outdoor seating, Ballina makes travelling with your dog easy. And if plans pop up that aren’t pup-approved, local pet-sitting services have you covered.
🌊 Beach days
Angels Beach and Sharpes Beach are perfect for relaxed strolls on lead. For off-leash freedom, Seven Mile Beach at Lennox Head delivers long stretches of sand made for zoomies. River lovers? The Spit is calm, social and ideal for a paddle.
🌿 Walks & weekend wanders
Cruise the Coastal Recreation Path between Ballina and Lennox Head for views, lookouts and coffee stops. Slow it down at the Ballina Farmers Market or head inland to Rocky Creek Dam for shady, on-lead adventures.
For the full list of pup-approved stays, beaches and dining spots, pop into the Ballina Visitor Information Centre or head to Discover Ballina (link in bio).
📍 Save this post for your next trip and tag us in your dog’s Ballina moments — we’re always on the lookout for four-legged holiday heroes.
#DiscoverBallina #BallinaCoastandHinterland #DogFriendly #VisitNSW #SeeAustralia
Looking back toward Angels Beach, East Ballina
Salt air and plenty of space to slow things down. It’s the kind of spot that makes you forget the time and stay a little longer than planned.
📍 Black Head, East Ballina
📷@milesawaymedia
#DiscoverBallina #AngelsBeach #EastBallina #BallinaCoast #visitnsw
The morning commute to work never looked so good 🍃
📍 Ballina shared pathways. Link in bio to discover more bike and walking tracks, Ballina to Lennox Head.
🎥 @ballinatravellerslodge
#discoverballina #visitnsw #seeaustralia
Standing tall, stealing hearts 🌊✨
Ballina Lighthouse is where coastal views, maritime history and next-level sunrises all line up perfectly. Keep an eye out for migrating whales (May - Oct), snap the ocean views, then dive deeper into Ballina’s seafaring story.
Add it to your must-visit list and find out more via the link in bio.
📷@milesawaymedia
When you`re in a town famous for the Big Prawn, it’s only natural that seafood is on the menu—and trust us, you’re in for a treat 🦐
Whether you’re planning a seafood feast at home, spreading out a picnic blanket by the river, or just craving the taste of the ocean, we’ve got you covered. Here’s where to find the freshest seafood and get your perfect seafood fix in the Ballina Coast and Hinterland.
🍽 Dine in, riverside or beachside
@shawsbayhotel – relaxed bayside dining with classic seafood favourites.
@wharfbarballina – riverfront views, local flavours, zero rush.
@kelprestaurantballina – refined, seasonal seafood done properly.
@fishyfishylennoxhead – coastal vibes, fresh fillets, dine in or takeaway.
@thetridentfishandgrill – hinterland fish & chips that punch well above their weight.
🍟 Takeaway legends & cook-it-yourself heroes
@dorystakeawayballina – easy, tasty seafood for beach picnics.
@northernriversseafood – top-tier local catch (and cooked options if cooking feels ambitious).
@ballina_fishermens_coop – straight from the boat to you.
Richmond Oysters – fresh, local oysters best enjoyed with river views.
📍Save this for later & tag your seafood-loving crew!
#BallinaCoastandHinterland #DiscoverBallina #BestSeafood #VisitNSW #SeeAustralia
