Summer Fun in Ballina on the New South Wales Australian Coast

Ballina sits on the most easterly point in Australia. Protruding into the Tasman Sea on the coast of New South Wales, it sits on some of the most stunning stretches of beach in the whole country. Surfers have been coming here for years, hanging out at the Big Prawn and riding just the right waves. There is a lot more to Ballina than fresh seafood and great surf, and today, visitors come for the great beaches, fun whale watching tours, fascinating history, and great local seafood restaurants.

For a large number of years, the Aboriginal people hunted and fished the rich waters along the coast. The 1st English settlers came to the region for the beautiful cedar forests, making a fortune selling the raw material back to Victorian England. They made their homes in what's now East Ballina, attracted from the region’s many oysters, fertile land and its many fresh water lakes and rivers.

Oysters have become just among the list of many seafood delicacies that make the region famous. Fishermen come to the deep-sea fishing excursions and the great freshwater fishing in lots of lakes and rivers. You don’t have to fish to enjoy the region’s treasures. Everyone who loves to eat can dine out daily on the freshest seafood at any one of Ballina’s many world class dining places.

Aside from the seafood, visitors flock to Ballina for its beautiful headlands, hours of sunshine, fresh ocean breezes, and strong waves. It’s easily reachable, just 200 kilometers south of Brisbane, and sitting right on Australia’s Pacific Highway.

Whether you’re intending to surf, swim or simply sit and relax, you will find all kinds of great accommodations offered all across the region. It is possible to camp in the countryside, or select a caravan park right near the beach. You could find a pleasant bed and breakfast right in Ballina, as well as a luxury hotel with all of the amenities. From families to friends, from surfers to seniors, there are many choices in Ballina for every kind of holidays you can imagine.

The main draw in Ballina has always been the perfect surf, but there are many other water sports and activities all across the region. The Richmond River has great freshwater fishing, and just off the shoreline, whale watching boat tours might take you out to encounter the majestic humpback whale right up close. One of the best features in Ballina is the wide variety in the choice of beaches. The sand and surf stretch from Ballina to Lennox Head, in excess of 30 kilometers away. You can play all day in sand dunes, or swim along beautiful reeds, or you can hike along the headlands and soak up the view that seems to go on forever.

Ballina has other charms, in addition to the gorgeous coastline. Lake Ainsworth is called the Coca-Cola Lake because the nearby tea trees give the water a brownish colour. Locals say the water has healing properties that can take the sting out of a sunburn, or heal a small cut.

There’s also some fantastic history and flavours to explore all around Ballina. You can visit the Ballina Naval and Maritimes Museum, or the Thursday Plantation. You'll be able to even take the family for just a day of fun at the nearby Macadamia Castle in Knockrow.

You can spend each day on a new beach in Ballina on every single day of the vacation, surfing, swimming, snorkeling, splashing or even snoozing. It doesn't matter what you plan to do for the perfect tropical vacation, you’ll find precisely what you'll need on Ballina’s coast.


Take a few days off, find ballina accommodation, things to do and other travel related information about the area on bookitnow.com.au. Or visit our Australia blog for more Australian holiday ideas.