While visiting Ballina, you may be wondering what to do first. The town is located in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales. It is the seat of the Ballina Shire local government area and has an urban population of 26,381 as of June 2018. The town is located on the Richmond River and serves as the gateway to Byron Bay. In addition to its beachfront setting, Ballina offers a variety of attractions and activities that will keep you entertained for a day.
Ballina Naval & Maritime Museum
If you’re looking for a great place to visit in New South Wales, then the Ballina Naval & Maritime Museum is for you. The museum opened in 1983 in a series of vacant rooms and moved to its present location in December 1993. There, you’ll find a model of the Las Balsas Expedition raft and a collection of ships, aircraft, and marine artefacts. To commemorate its 20th anniversary, the Museum is raising funds for an extension. The Federal Department of Transport and Regional Services, as well as the Shire Council, provided generous funding for the project. The expansion of the museum’s exhibition space doubled its floor area.
Located on the main street of Ballina, the museum is accessible to all. There is a large car park and coach parking bays outside. The museum is wheelchair accessible. The highlight of the museum is the La Balsas expedition raft, which made the epic journey from Ecuador to Australia in 1973. The museum also features a tribute to women in the navy, and a vast collection of navy uniforms.
Lighthouse Beach
If you’re searching for a great surf beach, you should check out Lighthouse Beach in East Ballina, NSW, Australia. This surf lifesaving patrolled beach is located between Shelley Beach and The North Wall. The sandy beach measures 500 metres long and 50 metres wide. Lighthouse Beach is patrolled by surf lifesaving volunteers during the summer. You’ll find plenty of activities to enjoy while you’re at Lighthouse Beach.
The local surf club is located at Lighthouse Beach. The club patrols the area, and offers a surf spot for people of all skill levels. The club also offers lessons for beginner surfers. The club has been operating in the community since 1933. Lighthouse Beach is a popular surf spot for locals. It is patrolled during the school holidays, and has plenty of parking for visitors. The beach is also open to the public, and you can easily get there with a car from the Surf Club.
Big Prawn
The 9-metre-high Big Prawn in Ballina NSW was built in 1989. You’ll want to take a road selfie with the Prawn! It’s the perfect backdrop for a memorable road selfie! Take the time to visit this iconic tourist attraction! Read on for more information. We’ve added a few more attractions to our itinerary for Ballina! Here are some of our favorites.
The Big Prawn was designed by local sculptor James Martin, who had designed the statue. The prawn was constructed in a motel in Ballina and cost 500,000 AUD. It measures 6 metres by nine metres and was made of fiberglass. Local author Robin Osborne also wrote a book about the Big Prawn and the town. You can read more about its history in her books.
Ballina Head Lookout
If you’re planning to spend a weekend in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, then you might be wondering what there is to do in Ballina. The town is the seat of the Ballina Shire local government area and has a population of 26,381 people as of June 2018. It’s located along the Richmond River and serves as a gateway to Byron Bay. You’ll find many things to do in Ballina, including the beach, shopping, and dining.
The city is popular for fishing, with its 32km of coastline and rivers and estuaries. You can catch many types of fish, including bream, blackfish, flathead, tailor, jew, and luderick. You can even spot whales in the region during the months of June to November. If you’re lucky, you can catch a few of these while you’re in town.
Ballina Historic Waterfront Trail
The new historic waterfront trail in Ballina has just been launched, and so far there have been plenty of positive comments from locals. There are 19 plaques along the trail that provide brief information on the river’s history and current residents. The trail was developed by local tourism and heritage group representatives, and historian Kate Gahan was involved with the project. Visitors can learn about the importance of the river to the town, and what life was like for those who lived there in the past.
The Ballina Historic Waterfront Trail features an array of cultural and historical sites, and you can experience many of them at once. You can enjoy a beautiful walk along the waterfront or a relaxing picnic by the river. If you are a bird lover, you can also see wildlife at the Australian Seabird Rescue. You can see shore birds, pelicans, and sea turtles in their care. You can also enjoy the town’s beautiful weather by riding your bicycle along the 25-kilometer trail.
Richmond River Lighthouse
While you’re in the area, you may want to check out the Richmond River Lighthouse, a historic landmark in East Ballina. The lighthouse dates back to 1866, but its design and architecture is actually quite charming. You can stroll along the breakwall to the end of the walk, which ends at the town’s caravan park. While you’re in the area, don’t miss the chance to eat high tea at the Rosealynd House and take a tour of the lighthouse.
The town has a history of being a hub for shipbuilding in the mid-19th century. It also served as a port for whaling vessels traveling up and down the east coast. In fact, the town’s name came from an Aboriginal word, “bullenah,” which means “place of plentiful oysters.” Today, you can enjoy the pristine, high-quality beaches, thundering surf, and distant views of the Northern Rivers and Pacific Ocean. You can also visit the enthralling maritime museum located on the Richmond River.
South Ballina Beach
If you are looking for things to do in Ballina NSW, you’ll be delighted to discover the diverse city of Ballina. Located at the mouth of the Richmond River, the city’s beaches have long drawn surfers and eco-tourists. The city’s name, Ballina, is derived from an aboriginal word meaning ‘place of plenty’ and ‘big stomach’. It is also known for its pristine beaches, great surf, and numerous sporting facilities. And while there is plenty to do outdoors, there are also interesting indoor attractions to keep you busy. Visit the Ballina Navel & Maritime Museum, a historic site, and Macadamia Castle in Knockrow.
For those looking for an alternative surf spot, head down to the southern side of the Richmond River, where you will find South-Ballina Beach. Located on the southern side of the Richmond River, South-Ballina Beach is a fantastic spot for fishing, and has a variety of secret local fishing holes. You can reach the beach by turning eastwards at Wardell, or you can take the Burns Point Ferry. There are also camping facilities at South-Ballina Beach, so you can stay there during your next holiday.
Shelly Beach
The Shelly Beach cafe is located on Shelly Beach in East Ballina. Its views of the ocean are so spectacular that you’ll feel like you’re sitting on the beach. It’s open Tuesday to Sunday and serves fresh meals made with local ingredients. A special takeaway menu is also available. Dogs are not allowed on the beach, but they are welcome to relax under the shade of Pandanus trees.
This location is also convenient for those seeking to explore the nearby Skennars Head and Lennox Head. The beachfront is a short drive away and provides ample opportunity for exploration.
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