Classic Kombi van driving along the scenic Coast Road between Lennox Head and Ballina, with ocean views and lush greenery.

Transport

Nestled on the stunning North Coast of NSW, Ballina is just 30 mins south of Byron Bay, 1 hour south of the Gold Coast and an 8 hour drive north or just over an hour flight from Sydney.

Scenic drives along the Pacific or Bruxner Highways make arriving by car a breeze. Once here, getting around is effortless. Hire a car to explore the hinterland, hop on local buses, or cycle the picturesque coastal paths. Taxis and ubers are readily available, and walking is perfect for soaking up the relaxed coastal vibe.

However you choose to travel, every journey here is part of the experience.

Aircraft taking off from Ballina Byron Gateway Airport with clear blue skies above.

Travel by air

Get here quicker .... Fly direct!

The Ballina Byron Gateway Airport is located five kilometres from Ballina's CBD and is serviced daily by regional and national carriers including Jetstar, Qantas & Virgin Australia.

Direct flights are available to and from Sydney & Melbourne. With all the facilities you need in an easy to use terminal and so close to Ballina, the airport is the best way to start or end your journey to the region.

Couple enjoying a quiet moment by their 4WD in the lush hinterland near Ballina, with trees in the background at sunset.

Travel by road

Ballina is conveniently located at the intersection of the Pacific and Bruxner Highways. Approximate distances and drive times include:

Brisbane Airport – 195 km (2h 15m)
Byron Bay – 31 km (30m)
Coffs Harbour – 206 km (2h 27m)
Grafton – 137 km (1h 30m)
Coolangatta Airport – 89 km (1h)
Lismore – 31 km (37m)
Port Macquarie – 357 km (4h)
Sydney – 730 km (8h)

Red Greyhound coach driving along the scenic Coast Road near Ballina, with ocean views and green coastal landscape.

Travel by coach or rail

Ballina is well connected by coach services, with daily routes operated by Premier Motor Service, Greyhound Australia, and NSW TrainLink. For the most up-to-date schedules, please visit their respective websites.

For rail travellers, NSW TrainLink services stop daily at Casino Railway Station, with convenient coach transfers to Ballina and Lennox Head included in the ticket fare. Contact Ballina Cruise & Travel for bookings.

Scheduled Public Bus & Train Services

Ballina Bus Lines

buslinesgroup.com.au/ballina

Ballina to Lismore via Alstonville

CDC NSW Bus Company

cdcbus.com.au/ballina-byron-bay

Ballina to Byron Bay, Ballina to Bangalow

Northern Rivers Bus Lines

buslinesgroup.com.au/northern-rivers/

Northern Rivers Bus Lines

Premier Motor Services

premierms.com.au/

Sydney to Brisbane via Ballina

Greyhound Australia

greyhound.com.au/

Sydney to Brisbane via Ballina

NSW Train Link

transportnsw.info/regional-travel

Sydney to Ballina & Byron Bay

Airport Transfers & Private Charters

Steve's Transport

stevestransport.com.au

Ballina Byron Airport & Private Charters

Byron EasyBus

byronbayshuttle.com.au

Ballina Byron Airport & Private Charters

Byron Bus Company

byronbuscompany.com.au

Door to door Private Charters

Taxi & Chauffer Drivers

Ballina Taxis & Hire Cars

02 6686 9999 

Richmond River Hire Cars

0428 666 360

Your Local Taxi Co

02 6681 4747

Dan the Driver

danthedriver.com.au

Ballina, Byron Bay, Lismore & SE QLD

Robs Transport Ballina

robstransport.com.au

Airport Transfers & Chauffered Rides

Lennox Rides

ballinalennoxhirecars.com.au

Servicing Yamba to Gold Coast

Car Rentals

Avis Northern Rivers

Central Ballina Car Rentals

Budget Car Rentals

EuropCar Rentals

Hertz Rent-a-car

Thrifty Car & Truck Rental

Network Car Rentals

avis.com.au

centralballina.com.au

budget.com.au

europcar.com.au

hertz.com.au

thrifty.com.au

networkrentals.com.au

Located Ballina Byron Gateway Airport

Located Ballina Byron Gateway Airport

Located Ballina Byron Gateway Airport

Located Ballina Byron Gateway Airport

Located Ballina Byron Gateway Airport

Located Byron Bay

Located Southern Cross Dr, Ballina

Business Listings

Looking for a reliable and affordable taxi? 8 Cabs Taxi Network Service has you covered with great booking rates and fast, dependable service. To book your ride, simply call and one of their friendly drivers will be on the way. Whether you’re heading across town or need a lift further afield, 8 Cabs operates throughout... Read More

8 Cabs

Ballina | Transfers
Wherever your destination, let A2B Tweed Coast Minibuses take you there. Catering to all of your transport needs, the fleet comprises of a 13-passenger minibus, an 11-passenger minibus and a large fully lockup trailer. From small to large trips… ​A2B Tweed Coast Minibuses can get you to and from Gold Coast, Ballina or Brisbane airport,... Read More

A2B Tweed Coast Minibuses

Pottsville | Bus Services
Northern Rivers Tours amd Alstonville Bus Service combine to provide you with professional, reliable, comfortable and safe transport. They provide bus hire services covering the Northern Rivers area from Lismore to Byron Bay, Ballina to Evans Head – wherever you need to go, they’ve got you covered. They provide buses for hire for a range... Read More

Alstonville Bus Service and Northern Rivers Tours

Alstonville | Bus Services
Ballina Byron Mini Bus Hire and Charter is a locally and family owned business operating out of Lennox Head, between Ballina and Byron Bay. Ballina Byron Mini Bus Hire and Charter is happy to assist in organising transport to suit your requirements specialising in wedding transport, school sporting teams transport, airport transfers for groups going... Read More

Ballina Byron Minibus Hire

Lennox Head | Bus Services
Explore South Ballina and the great fishing spots on the other side of the Richmond River by travelling on the vehicle ferry. Burns Point Ferry constantly goes back and forth from Ballina to South Ballina between the hours of 5:30 am to 12:30 am daily. There is no schedule, it just goes back and forth.... Read More

Burns Point Ferry

West Ballina | Ferry Services
Byron Bay Coastal Transfers offer airport express shuttles between Ballina Byron Gateway Airport and Byron Bay. The service is door-to-door and discounts are available for two or more people travelling together. Child seats can also be provided. They also offer private airport transfers to/from Ballina, Gold Coast and Brisbane Airports. Includes standard or luxury sedans,... Read More

Byron Bay Coastal Transfers

Lennox Head | Transfers
Byron Bus Company Provides a trusted, reliable and friendly door to door transport service from as far North as Noosa to as far South as Forster Tuncurry, including Brisbane Airport, Ballina Airport and Gold Coasst Airports for residents and visitors to the Byron area for over ten years. Services include airport, hotel, hiking, festival, clubs/societys... Read More

Byron Bus Company

Byron Bay | Transfers
Byron Bay is a premier holiday destination in Australia. Byron Easy Bus provide fast, reliable transfer services from Brisbane, Gold Coast and Ballina Airports ensuring your arrival and departure is as relaxed as your time spent in Byron Bay. Byron Easy Bus operates a door to door airport shuttle service five times a day between... Read More

Byron Easy Bus

Byron Bay | Bus Services
If you are looking for comfortable, affordable and reliable Byron Bay airport transfers, then they are here to meet your needs. Gilly’s Gateway Transfers provide safe, reliable and affordable airport transfers between Byron Bay, Ballina Airport and Gold Coast airport. They aim to cut your waiting time by arriving at the airport before you land,... Read More

Gilly’s Gateway Transfers Byron Bay

Byron Bay | Transfers
Latitude Byron Bay is a bespoke private driving service that operates in the greater Byron Bay region and offers airport and cruise transfers, bespoke private tours, wedding, festival and corporate transportation. All their private driving services are delivered from the comfort of their top of the range Mercedes Benz V250 Night Edition. The vehicle accommodates... Read More

Latitude Byron Bay

Ballina | Transfers
Explore All

Itineraries

Jingi Wahla –welcome – to the Ballina Coast & Hinterland, the traditional Nyangbul Country of the Bundjalung Nation. With 32km of stunning coastline, world heritage listed rainforests, breathtaking waterfalls, and unique hinterland communities to discover; the Ballina Coast and Hinterland is the ultimate destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Within only four days, it... Read More

4 Day Ballina Coast & Hinterland Escape

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

Ballina to Byron: A Scenic Coastal Drive along the North Coast

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... Read More

Ballina to Murwillumbah Day Drive

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... Read More

Explore Ballina to Nimbin

Explore towns & villages

Newrybar

Lennox Head

Teven & Tintenbar

Alstonville & Wollongbar

Ballina

South Ballina

Wardell