When it comes to visiting the Far North Coast, Byron Bay is usually the biggest drawcard.
But, just 30 minutes’ drive south lies the more laidback, yet equally beautiful, coastal town of Ballina.
If you’re dreaming of a getaway that lets you truly relax – away from the hustle and bustle of crowds – then Ballina could be the way to go.
Here are five reasons to visit.
BEAUTIFUL BEACHES WITH FEWER CROWDS
There’s no doubt that Byron Bay’s beaches are stunning. But, most of the year, they’re also pretty crowded.
In contrast, it’s still possible to get a spot of sand to yourself in Ballina. There’s more than 32 kilometres of coastline to explore, with beaches of all kinds – from those with gentle, rolling waves perfect for children to adrenaline-pumping point breaks for experienced surfers.
Head to sheltered Lighthouse Beach for patrolled swimming in crystal clear waters, Shelly Beach for rockpools that the kids will adore, and Flat Rock beach for a great surf break.
MORE THAN 25 KILOMETRES OF CYCLE PATHS
If a holiday involving hours of cycling is on your mind, then Ballina is the destination for you. There are more than 25 kilometres of cycle paths to explore, for two-wheelers of all levels of skill and experience.
For a gentle, child-friendly adventure, follow the shared path from Lennox Head to Pat Morton Lookout. It’s just 1.2 kilometres long, and finishes with the reward of fantastic views.
To see plenty of Ballina township, and visit the Big Prawn, ride along the cycleway from Ballina CBD to the ferry. It’s a 4-kilometre journey along nearly all flat terrain.
A longer workout, which takes in beautiful river, lake and beach views, is the Ballina Loop. It’s a 11.5-kilometre trip that’s off-road and flat most of the way.
A BIG PRAWN
No Aussie holiday is complete without a ‘big thing’ – from the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour to the Big Pineapple on the Sunshine Coast.
Ballina’s big thing is the Big Prawn. It’s a 9-metre high prawn that weighs a whopping 35 tonnes, and you’ll find it on River Street next door to Bunnings.
It’s been there since 1989, but, by the early 2010s, was a little worse for wear. In 2013, Bunnings spent $400,000 restoring it to its former glory.
FASCINATING GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS
Ballina is home to a bunch of interesting art galleries and museums.
Make your first stop the Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum. It holds many treasures, including the biggest collection of ship models in Australia and the last raft from the Las Balsas expedition, which travelled 14,000 kilometres across the Pacific in 1973 on wooden rafts.
For local art, head to the Northern Rivers Community Gallery. This well-respected creative hub has four exhibition rooms, and hosts a range of exhibitions, event and artists’ residencies.
Other spots worth a visit include the Mackay Harrison Galleries (for artworks by Australian artists), the Gallery Cafe (for works by Ballina’s locals) and Creative Artisans Gallery (for artworks, sculptures, jewellery and design by Northern Rivers-based artists).
BALLINA HAS ITS OWN AIRPORT
Ballina township is just five minutes’ drive from Ballina Airport.
So, if you’re keen to make a quick weekend getaway from a major city, then it’s incredibly convenient.
GETTING TO BALLINA
Ballina is an hour drive south of the Gold Coast, 2 hours’ drive south of Brisbane and 8 hours’ drive north of Sydney.
If you don’t have time to hit the road, you can fly to Ballina Airport. SIXT is on hand, to provide you car rentals of all kinds – from electric vehicles to SUVs to 4WDs.
