Nine metres high and weighing 35 tonnes, the Big Prawn is one of Australia’s most famous Big Things. It’s hard to miss as you drive the main road into Ballina. It’s also hard to imagine the town without it.

However, a prawnless Ballina was almost a reality. Twenty years after its birth in 1989, the giant crustacean was looking a bit long in the pincers, and locals debated fiercely over what should be done about it. Shockingly, there was even talk of demolition. Thankfully, hardware store Bunnings (which lives is next door) came to the rescue, and following a AUD400,000 makeover, the new-and-improved Big Prawn was unveiled in 2013. For the first time, it even had a tail.

Taking a picture with the prawn is a must-do if you’re in Ballina. And if the sight of all that seafood makes you peckish, fear not: there are some great places selling fresh catches on the other side of the road.

Northern Rivers Seafood is a family-owned and operated business that has been proudly supplying the local and surrounding communities with the freshest local and imported seafood for 30 years.

They have a huge range of Barramundi, Blue Eye, Bugs, Crabs, Crayfish, Flathead, Hoki, John Dory, Kingfish, Lobsters, Octopus, Oysters, Prawns, Rainbow Trout, Salmon, Seafood, Shellfish, Snapper, Squid, Sushi, Tasmanian Salmon, Trout, Tuna, Whiting and more.

Why not avoid cooking and get dinner cooked for you by the friendly staff, with light and crispy batter on the freshest fish, piping hot crunchy chips and an assortment of fresh cooked tasty seafood delights, visit Northern Rivers Seafood for everything cooked fresh to order every time.

The town of Ballina has the Big Prawn, and that is for a good reason! Their local king prawn is famous for its delicious taste with a firm crisp sweet flavour.

The Ballina Fishermen’s Co-op is owned by the towns local fishermen who bring their catch in to be sold in their shop. The variety on offer can vary, as different species of seafood come and go in different seasons.

A normal day in the shop would see a selection of fresh fish fillets ranging from flathead, swordfish, whiting, salmon, barramundi and many others along with fresh oysters, octopus, squid tubes, cuttlefish, cooked mud crab, spanner crab, king prawns and Balmain bugs.

They also offer cooked seafood using only Australian fish and New Zealand hoki. They make their own prawn cutlets and have all your takeaway favourites with a choice of six different burgers and a huge hot food range from potato scallops to pineapple fritters!

The Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG) has established itself as a significant regional cultural hub and creative catalyst in the Northern Rivers. NRCG exhibitions and programs promote critical thinking, creative exploration and social cohesion and connect artists, makers and audiences with creative opportunities.

Ballina Shire Council established the NRCG in 2007 in the historic former Ballina Municipal Council Chambers. Built in 1927, the Council renovated this building to the highest standard in lighting, climate control and security. Adjacent to the gallery in the same building is the popular Ballina Gallery Cafe.

The gallery features four exhibition spaces and presents a range of professional, multi-arts and cultural programs incorporating diverse events, public programs and residencies. NRCG provides opportunities for emerging and established artists to hire galleries and exhibit and sell their work under subsidised arrangements.

In 2018 NRCG expanded into the heritage-listed former Ballina Fire Station, which reopened as Ignite Studios. Ignite Studios, Ballina’s newest multidisciplinary creative space provides dedicated, fit-for-purpose, creative spaces for studios, residencies, projects and events.

Set sail on a journey through time at the Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum, where Australia’s maritime heritage meets hands-on discovery. Nestled in the heart of Ballina, this volunteer-run treasure trove is a must-visit for history buffs, curious minds, and families looking for an engaging and educational outing.

Home to the world’s last surviving Las Balsas raft—which famously journeyed from Ecuador to Ballina in 1970—this museum boasts a nationally significant collection of artefacts and exhibits. Visitors can explore Australia’s largest collection of shop models, rare shipwreck artefacts, a tribute to women in the navy, as well as an extensive range of naval uniforms and memorabilia.

With interactive displays, recreated naval vessel scenes, and DVD presentations, the museum makes history come alive for visitors of all ages. Kids love the hands-on exhibits, while adults appreciate the detail, craftsmanship and compelling storytelling woven throughout.

The museum is run by a host of volunteers – many of whom have maritime or naval experience and love sharing stories, offering fascinating insights, and highlighting the hidden gems within the museum’s walls.

Centrally located near the Richmond River and town centre, the Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum is an experience for the history enthusiast, a nautical novice, or someone just keen to explore something new.

Perched atop the picturesque coastline, the Ballina Lighthouse is a beacon of history and natural beauty. Overlooking Shelly Beach and Lighthouse Beach, this iconic landmark offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and North Wall.

It’s a perfect spot for whale watching during migration season or simply soaking in a stunning sunrise. The lighthouse itself stands as a tribute to Ballina’s rich maritime heritage – which you can learn more about at the Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum.

Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or an avid photographer, the Ballina Lighthouse is a great spot to visit whilst in Ballina.

Shelly Beach Cafe is located along Shelly Beach in East Ballina. This beautiful cafe boasts scenic ocean views and feels like you are sitting right on the sand.

Open Tuesday to Sunday for breakfast and lunch, choose from their extensive menu serving fresh meals using local produce and accompany your meal with a barista made coffee or drink from the bar. A special takeaway menu is also available.

To kick off your weekends, they are also open every Friday night for Sunset Sessions – live music and cocktails at sunset.

Shelly Beach Cafe can also host private functions and is an ideal location for weddings.

This is the perfect location to sit back, relax and breathe in the fresh sea breeze.

Flat Rock is arguably one of the most desired beaches and the most easterly point of this coastline. It is a very popular surfing spot for new and experienced surfers due to the rocky outcrop creating a surf break.

The rock pools are home to lots of marine life and are great to explore when the tide is low, making this beach popular with families. It is also home to a lot of birds, so you often see bird watchers looking for specific species.

Flat Rock Tent Park is located just behind the dunes, making it a perfect place to camp for beach and fishing lovers. Toilets and showers are available in the car park, and a beach is patrolled in the school holidays.

Flat Rock is dog-friendly, but they must remain on a leash at all times.

Toilets and showers are available in the car park and a roving lifeguard patrols in the school holidays.

Perched between Skennars Head and Lennox Head, Boulder Beach Headland boasts breathtaking views stretching north toward Lennox Head and the iconic Byron Bay coastline.

This stunning headland is a favourite for picnics and a key stop along the Coastal Recreation Path—complete with convenient parking right beside the beach.

Boulder Beach is also a beloved surf spot, known for its consistent break. Please note, this is not a patrolled beach, so take care when heading into the water.

There is nothing quite like a spectacular coastal view to remind you how magical the Northern Rivers is, and Pat Morton Lookout provides one of the best. On the top of Lennox Point, just a five-minute drive or half-hour walk via coastal boardwalk from Lennox Head, the lookout offers seats and a grassy area with idyllic views over the village and up Seven Mile Beach.

With hang gliders wheeling overhead; the sun glistening on the water; whales (from May to October) and dolphins breaking the surface; and surfers riding the famous right-hand break into shore, it is a magnificent spot at which to linger a while. Tip: be sure to bring a well-stocked picnic basket with you.

Head up the steps to the top of the lookout and you get dramatic views to the south, too. From here, the beautiful, often windswept, walk along the grassy clifftops down to Boulder Beach is a must-do, and, if you’ve got a couple of hours up your sleeve, you can keep going all the way to Ballina.

A visit to Lennox Head is not complete without one of Lennox Gelato’s famous ice creams!

Delicious handmade Italian artisan gelato, with a vast variety of flavours made fresh using only the finest ingredients and local produce wherever possible.

Located opposite the playground in the heart of Lennox – the flavours will send your tastebuds into overdrive. If you can resist the ice cream, their coffee is delicious.

Grab a takeaway and wander across the road to the beachfront to indulge in your treat!

Lake Ainsworth, a fresh water tea-tree lake with dark tannins from the surrounding paperbark trees. It is a popular spot with both Lennox Head locals and visitors. The lake, which covers an area of about 12 hectares, is located at the northern end of Pacific Parade.

It’s an ideal swimming spot for families with young children and is also suitable for stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing.

Recreation facilities include pathways, barbecues, picnic tables and parking.

The lake can be affected by blue-green algae. Check the Ballina Shire Council website for official advice.

From Ballina to Byron, river to beach, this drive will allow you to experience one of the most scenic coastal drives in the country.