Explore Ballina to Nimbin
Head for the hills and discover the region’s cultural heart, stunning waterfalls, pristine rainforest and creative communities that call the Northern Rivers home.
Ballina to Nimbin Road Trip
Ballina – Gateway to the Hinterland
Begin your adventure in Ballina, where the coast meets convenience. Pick up insider tips at the Ballina Visitor Information Centre, grab a coffee, and snap a quick selfie with the iconic Big Prawn before heading west on the Bruxner Highway.
Lismore CBD – Eat Sip Shop
Lismore’s town centre is a buzzing mix of great coffee, boutique shopping and relaxed country charm. Explore Keen, Woodlark, Molesworth and Magellan Streets, where cafes spill onto pavements and shops brim with vintage finds, handmade goods and local fashion. It’s the perfect place to refuel and browse at your own pace.
Lismore CBD
The Art District & The Quad – Culture on Show
Just a short stroll from the CBD, Lismore’s creative precinct is bursting with colour and culture. Park at Harold Fredericks Carpark for easy access to the Lismore Regional Gallery, where you’ll find everything from Aboriginal art to contemporary exhibitions, alongside quirky artist-run spaces. Wander through The Quad and follow the Back Alley Gallery trail beneath the iconic ‘You Are Here’ heart, a laneway gallery alive with street art, music and local flair.
Modanville – Scenic Bakes & Macadamia Country
Take the backroads through Dunoon for a postcard-perfect drive past macadamia orchards and stone fruit farms.
Stop at Annie’s Country Bakery in Modanville for house-baked pies, Vietnamese Banh Mi and proper country hospitality.
The Channon - Creative Village Vibes
Nestled in the Nightcap Ranges, The Channon is a relaxed hinterland village with a big creative heart. Grab lunch or enjoy live music at the Channon Tavern, set beside Terania Creek in a historic butter factory. Time your visit with the Channon Craft Market on the second Sunday of the month, when the village buzzes with stalls, local produce and handmade finds.
Protesters Falls – Rainforest Serenity
Follow Terania Creek Road into the lush, World Heritage-listed Nightcap National Park. Pack a picnic for the peaceful Terania Creek picnic area, then wander the easy 1.4km rainforest trail to the stunning Protesters Falls, named in honour of the 1970s activists who helped protect this precious patch of paradise.
Nimbin – Colour, Culture & Quirk
A must-visit in the Northern Rivers, Nimbin is bursting with colour, creativity and alternative charm. Sip chai at a local cafe, explore shops filled with handmade and sustainable goods, and visit icons like the H.E.M.P Embassy and Nimbin Artists Gallery. Take the Rainbow Walk to uncover the town’s unique story, and if you’re visiting midweek or on a Sunday, check out the local markets for fresh produce and community vibes.
Nimbin Candle Factory
Before you head home, pop into the Nimbin Candle Factory, a longstanding icon producing artisan candles using solar power and sustainable ingredients. It’s the perfect place for a mindful gift or souvenir.
Big Prawn
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.
Explore Ballina to Nimbin
Ready for a road trip that goes beyond the usual? This full-day self-drive adventure takes you from Ballina’s coastline to the lush hinterland, where waterfalls cascade, villages buzz with creativity, and rainforest magic is just a few steps away. Whether you’re chasing epic views, local markets, or good coffee, this itinerary is packed with places that’ll make you pause, and maybe even stay a little longer.