Ballina to Minyon Falls
This is a BIG day but you are in for a scenic and soul-stirring day. Starting from Ballina, this day drive is a deep dive into the Northern Rivers’ hinterland towns – think rolling hinterland, arty villages, ancient rainforest, and a dash of magic. Below is a suggested route with curated highlights at each stop to make the most of your road trip.
A Northern Rivers Discovery
Killen Falls
Start and end your trip with a waterfall! Killen Falls is a local waterfall in the Ballina & Lennox Head hinterland and is a beautiful way to start the day. View the falls from the viewing platform which is only a couple of hundred metres from the car park if you are short on time.
Newrybar
Tucked in the hinterland of Lennox Head, just 20 mins from Ballina, sits Newrybar, a tiny village that’s big on charm. Start with a coffee or breakfast at The Little General Store. Then wander over to Newrybar Merchants, where you’ll find a curated collection of local homewares, fashion, and gifts. It’s a small place, but worth exploring slowly – heritage cottages, leafy gardens and hidden gems make it a rewarding stop.
Newrybar
Zentvelds Coffee Plantation
Fuel up with caffeine by stopping in at Zentvelds Coffee Plantation. Order a cup just the way you like it, take in the views over the farm and stock up on coffee supplies and locally made products. If you happen to be venturing out on a Friday, make sure to book a Crop to Cup tour and get a behind the scenes look at where your coffee comes from.
Zentveld’s Coffee Farm and Roastery
Bangalow – Heritage Heart Meets Hip
Bangalow is made for wandering. Its main street is lined with beautiful federation buildings that now house boutique shops, homeware stores, and fashion finds you won’t see anywhere else. Time your visit with the monthly Bangalow Markets (4th Sunday of the month) and you’ll discover a mix of handmade goods, fresh produce, and live music under the trees. Stop in at Woods Café or Butcher Baker for a quality bite, then browse the galleries and antique stores.
Bangalow
Federal – Hidden Gem
Federal is the kind of village that feels like a well-kept secret. Stop for lunch at Doma Café, where Japanese-Aussie fusion meets country charm – yes, sushi in the bush, and it’s every bit as good as it sounds. The village itself is tiny, but the community vibe is warm and welcoming.
Doma Cafe
Crystal Castle – Peace, Positivity & Giant Crystals
Crystal Castle is a peaceful pocket in the hinterland that invites you to slow down and tune in. Stroll the ancient labyrinth or meditate in the tranquil gardens surrounded by towering crystals and lush greenery. Inside, you’ll find some of the world’s largest geodes and rare gems, each one more impressive than the last. From aura photography to sound healing and a quiet cup of tea overlooking the valley, this is a stop that feels both grounding and memorable.
Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens Byron Bay Hinterland
Minyon Falls – Waterfall Majesty in Nightcap National Park
Just a short walk from the car park, the Minyon Falls lookout offers a breathtaking view as the falls plunge 100 metres into the lush rainforest below – a moment worth pausing for. Take a minute to soak in the sounds of the forest: birds calling, leaves rustling, and water thundering in the distance.
Killen Falls
No trip to the Northern Rivers is complete without a visit to a waterfall, and Killen Falls is up there with the most accessible and photogenic of them all.
After a 20-minute drive through the rolling hills of the hinterland from Ballina, the falls can be found in a special patch of rainforest, part of the Big Scrub, which once blanketed this region but is now just one per cent of its previous size.
It’s a 330m walk through the lush forest from the car park to the top of the falls, where you’re rewarded with a bird’s-eye view down into the pool below.
Take the steep and sometimes slippery (but not too challenging) walk down to the base of the falls to see them from a whole new angle. Keep an eye out for turtles, birds and other wildlife. And walk into the cave behind the falls to get a great view looking out.
Killen Falls is a great stop off while exploring tourist drive 28.
Ballina to Minyon Falls
This is a BIG day but you are in for a scenic and soul-stirring day. Starting from Ballina, this day drive is a deep dive into the Northern Rivers’ hinterland towns – think rolling hinterland, arty villages, ancient rainforest, and a dash of magic. Below is a suggested route with curated highlights at each stop to make the most of your road trip.
Zentveld’s Coffee Farm and Roastery
The only thing better than sitting back and admiring the rolling hills of the Byron-Ballina hinterland is sitting back and admiring it with a great cup of coffee.
Zentveld’s Coffee Farm and Roastery is the place to be. Grab a barista-made brew, sit on the deck to admire views of the plantation, and buy a bag of beans that have been grown, processed, and roasted on the farm.
Located near the pretty village of Newrybar, the family-owned and run business embraces regenerative farming practices to ensure this beautiful part of the world stays that way.
On a clear day, you can also see Wollumbin Mount Warning. If you want to bring something more substantial to eat and turn the occasion into lunch, the Zentveld’s crew won’t mind at all.
Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens Byron Bay Hinterland
Nestled in the Byron Bay hinterland, Crystal Castle is a magical, nature-filled sanctuary that’s home to the world’s largest collection of giant crystals.
Stand between the towering Crystal Guardians – the tallest smoky quartz geodes ever found at 5.5 metres tall. Sit inside the Dragon Egg, a 120-million-year-old amethyst crystal cave.
Marvel at the 20-tonne Enchanted Cave, filled with millions of sparkling amethyst crystals, and explore 5 hectares of subtropical botanical gardens, including a regenerated rainforest with 10,000 native trees.
Walk the Crystal Labyrinth, inspired by the 800-year-old Chartres Cathedral, and touch the Kalachakra World Peace Stupa, personally blessed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Your Day Pass includes a Crystal Singing Bowls session (12 pm and 3 pm), a Crystal Meditation session (1:30 pm), and a Guided Tour (11 am). Enjoy wholesome vegetarian meals at the Lotus Café, then browse the Castle Jewels store for unique crystal keepsakes and artisan jewellery.
A truly unforgettable experience awaits!
Minyon Falls lookout
The view from the Minyon Falls lookout is the best in the area. From the lookout platform, you can admire not only the falls themselves but the valley beneath, on a clear day you might be lucky and see out to the coast.
Watch the cascades flow over Minyon Falls to a deep palm-shaded gorge roughly 100 metres below, and enjoy the sounds of local wildlife, the peaceful ambience and the spectacular natural surroundings. The tops of the cliffs are forested with Australian eucalypts, like blackbutt and scribbly gum, and a beautiful pool at the base of the falls is an ideal place to cool off and relax.
Minyon Falls is great for a quick stop, but if you’d like to spend longer at this majestic location there’s a picnic area with plenty of shady trees and picnic tables. There are also a couple of bushwalks that leave from the picnic area, including Boggy Creek walk which leads to Rummery Park campground, and Minyon Falls walking track which takes you down to the base of the falls.
And while Minyon Falls does offer stunning vistas and beautiful scenery, it’s more than just a spot…