With Shaws Bay on one side and the Richmond River on the other, this easy walk will allow you to enjoy some of Ballina’s most beautiful marine assets.

Park at Brighton Street and follow the footpath heading out along the break wall. Meander past little bays and rockpools, take in the tidal Shaws Bay, watch the trawlers leave or return in the Richmond River and finish by watching the surfers at Lighthouse Beach.

Keep an eye out for birdlife such as Osprey and Pelicans and quite possibly dolphins in the river between the breakwalls – a local sight that is very common!

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.

Shaws Bay has always been a popular spot for leisure activities such as picnicking, swimming, snorkelling, canoeing and walking. This beautiful tidal bay was formed when the northern wall of the Richmond River was constructed near the river entrance. The bay has sandy beaches, a shared pathway around the bay and is a great spot for families.

This scenic and popular area has varied landforms ranging from gently sloping beaches to a steep sandy escarpment which includes littoral rainforest species. The seagrasses in the bay are regarded as some of the best in Northern NSW and provide an ideal environment for safe snorkeling.

Along Compton Drive this swimming spot is easily accessible for those with mobility issues to create an enjoyable recreation area. Wide ramp access down to the sand in low tide or water in high tide, two disabled parking bays and seating. Access Shaws Bay via Pop Denison Park and you will find accessible toilets, an outdoor shower and footpath around the bay however access to the water for people with limited mobility is a little more natural – no ramps and access is across grass and sand to get to water.

Bring the family down for a fun day at Pop Denison Park.

The newly renovated Shaws Bay Hotel is one of Ballina’s most iconic waterfront destination. A venue where you can enjoy dishes crafted from fresh and locally sourced ingredients, signature cocktails that seamlessly transition into sunset drinks and experience some of the best live music in the Northern Rivers.

Their amazing beer garden is dog friendly. Drop in for a delicious bite to eat and hang around for afternoon drinks in the Courtyard, Pavilion or Beer Garden – all set against a stunning beachside backdrop.

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.

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.