Lennox Head Lennox Head Newrybar Newrybar Teven/Tintenbar Teven/Tintenbar Alstonville & Wollongbar Alstonville & Wollongbar Ballina Ballina South Ballina South Ballina Wardell Wardell
INSET MAP 01
Drive Times From
Brisbane2 hrs south
Gold Coast1 hr 30 mins south
Byron Bay30 min south
Sydney8 hrs north

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.

A couple enjoying coffee in a lush garden setting at a Newrybar café in the Byron Bay hinterland, surrounded by native trees and greenery.

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.

Discover more Back to Map
Couple walking along the coastal boardwalk at Lennox Head at sunset, with ocean views, rocky shoreline, and palm trees in the background.

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.

Discover more Back to Map
Two people exploring the base of Killen Falls near Ballina, Northern NSW, with water cascading from a cave ledge into a freshwater pool

Teven & Tintenbar

Teven and Tintenbar are charming hinterland hamlets just 10 minutes from Ballina

Discover more Back to Map
A young woman walking across a pedestrian crossing in front of the historic Federal Hotel in Alstonville at sunset.

Alstonville & Wollongbar

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.

Discover more Back to Map
Two cyclists ride along Ballina’s North Wall shared path between the Richmond River and the Pacific Ocean on a sunny day.

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.

Discover more Back to Map
Aerial view of Mobbs Bay in South Ballina, New South Wales, showing the Richmond River mouth, sandy beach, break wall, and coastal vegetation.

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.

Discover more Back to Map
Man fishing at the Wardell Wharf on the Richmond River with the historic Wardell lift bridge in the background at sunset.

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!

Discover more Back to Map

Itineraries

Things to do

DiscoverBallina2024(HR) 57

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.

Inspiration and ideas

Explore towns & villages

Daily Inspiration

🤠 POV: You need a pair of boots for your next boot scootin’ event in Ballina… and you’ve just discovered @bunnyholevintage 👢✨

From cowboy classics to colourful vintage finds, this Cherry Street gem has some serious boot game. Yeehaw! 🐎

💃 Now all you need is somewhere to show off those new boots! 

Check out the boot scootin’ events coming up this weekend at the @australianhotelballina and @shawsbayhotel - link in bio to our What’s On to find out more! 

Dust off your moves and hit the dance floor! 🤠

#discoverballina #vintage #ballina
🍯✈️ Touchdown in Ballina? Here’s a sweet little secret! 🐝

Did you know you can shop locally produced Australian Manuka honey right next to Ballina Byron Gateway Airport?

Meet @gatherbymanuka 💛 A local business with sustainability, happy bees and beautiful honey at its heart. 🌿

Pop in, discover their range and take a little taste of the region home with you!

🐝 Who knew this hidden gem was right by the airport?

#DiscoverBallina #GatherBy #ballinacoastandhinterland
🐋 The hardest goodbye of the year! 💔

Whale season, you’ve been something special!

From spectacular breaches to magical moments like this one, it’s been a season to remember. 🥹

Safe travels, big guys. See you next year! 💗

👇 Who was lucky enough to catch a whale sighting this season?

📷 by @bychloeisabella 

#visitnsw #discoverballina #lennoxhead
❤️ A little shout-out to our local small businesses!

October is Small Business Month, and we want to show some love to the incredible small businesses that make the Ballina Coast & Hinterland so special.

We know times are tough, and running a small business isn’t always easy. Behind every shopfront, cafe, restaurant and local service are hardworking people giving it their all.

So here’s a little reminder to shop local, eat local and support local whenever you can. Even the little things, like leaving a positive review, sharing a post or recommending a business to a friend, can make a big difference.

To all our local small businesses, we see you, we appreciate you and we’re cheering you on! ❤️

 🎥 Featuring just a fraction of our incredible business community!

#SmallBusinessMonth #SupportLocal #ballinacoastandhinterland
⚡ A different kind of magic over the Richmond River! 💜

Throwing it back to when Mother Nature put on one heck of a light show over the iconic Wardell Bridge! ⛈️

What an incredible shot of this much-loved local landmark, captured by 📸 @dkphotographyau.

#DiscoverBallina #Wardell #NorthernRivers
There are holidays… and then there are moments like this. 🎈✨

Rise with the sun and take in the Northern Rivers from a whole new perspective with @balloonaloftbyronbay 

Drift above the hinterland as the morning light rolls across the landscape - definitely one to add to your Ballina Coast & Hinterland holiday bucket list.

Ready to take your getaway to new heights? 🌅

#discoverballina #visitnsw #discovertheundiscovered