Ballina

Travel Guide
Ballina showing signage and street scenes
Ballina
Ballina showing street scenes
Ballina featuring street scenes and an administrative building
Ballina which includes a bay or harbour
Sitting astride the gentle waters of the Richmond River, this North Coast hub has fantastic beaches, great surf breaks, tropical rainforests and hinterland beauty.

Experience the coastal and hinterland charm of Ballina, a major town and region in the Northern Rivers area of New South Wales. With unbeatable beaches and superb waters of the Richmond River, Ballina is a favourite spot for family getaways and watersports adventure.

Go boating and fishing in the magnificent river to experience Ballina’s plentiful waters. Find out about the town’s history at the Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum. Relax in casual cafés or enjoy fresh produce direct from hinterland farms at Ballina’s restaurants and specialty stores.

Superb beaches are one of Ballina’s biggest draws. Investigate the patrolled waters of Shelly Beach or the popular Lighthouse Beach. Enjoy the tranquil shores and pretty surroundings of Shaws Bay Lagoon. Explore the coastline to find secret coves and excellent surf. Lennox Head is popular among surfing aficionados, while the waterslides at Ballina Water Park are a hit with younger visitors. From the shore or aboard a whale-watching charter boat, watch for humpback whales migrating along the coastline between June and November.

Make your way to Ballina’s main town to explore its laid-back streets. Have a meal in a waterfront café or check out the range of boutique stores. Explore the historic buildings and heritage charm of Wardell, Alstonville, Newrybar and Tintenbar. Knockrow is home to the family-friendly Macadamia Castle and the gateway to the Hinterland Way scenic route.

The cosy villages around South Ballina are ideal for experiencing the region’s natural beauty. Go birdwatching or ride on horseback along the beach. Cross the picturesque mouth of the Richmond River by taking the car ferry from Burns Point. River cruises provide an interesting insight into the Richmond River’s history.

Reach Ballina via the regional air hub of Ballina Byron Gateway Airport. Ballina has a wide variety of accommodation, including waterfront hotels. With Byron Bay about 45 minutes away by car, Ballina is a fantastic addition to your North Coast road-trip itinerary.

Admin Use Only

Hotels

€102 {hotelsLowestPrice}

€150 {hotelsHighestPrice}

1,517 {hotelCount}

1517 {location.lodging.hotelCount}

2,070 {hotelsReviewCount}

8.9 {hotelsAverageReview}

{locationTopAffinity}

{hotel-description.shortDescription}

{hotel-room.leadPrice}

Where to stay in Ballina

Lennox Head which includes a coastal town

Lennox Head

Travellers come to Lennox Head for its beaches, and you can see top attractions like Lennox Head Beach and Seven Mile Beach while you're in town.

Lennox Head
Ballina which includes a beach

East Ballina

East Ballina is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Shelly Beach and Ballina Golf Club.

East Ballina
Default Image

Skennars Head

If you're spending some time in Skennars Head, Sharpe's Beach and Angels Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Skennars Head
Lennox Head which includes a bay or harbour, surf and rocky coastline

North Creek

North Creek is known for its stunning beaches, and with sights like Lennox Head Beach and Seven Mile Beach, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Ballina.

North Creek
Default Image

West Ballina

Bars and shopping are notable features of West Ballina. You might consider stopping by Big Prawn while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

West Ballina
Ramada Hotel and Suites Ballina Byron
Ramada Hotel and Suites Ballina Byron
4.5 out of 5
2 Martin Street, Ballina, NSW
The price is €118 per night from 28 Jan to 29 Jan
€118
includes taxes & fees
28 Jan - 29 Jan
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Ballina. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a marina. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,006 reviews)
"Lovely place to stay"

Reviewed on 19 Jan 2025

Ramada Hotel and Suites Ballina Byron
The Cubana Ballina
The Cubana Ballina
3 out of 5
329 River St, Ballina, NSW
The price is €118 per night from 27 Jan to 28 Jan
€118
includes taxes & fees
27 Jan - 28 Jan
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Ballina. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (291 reviews)
"Stayed for 3 nights in a family room. Clean, comfortable and conveniently located accommodation base to explore the Ballina region. The beds were very comfortable and the bathroom was large, modern and clean. The caravan out the front serving barrista coffee and bacon and egg rolls was a welcome ..."

Reviewed on 18 Jan 2025

The Cubana Ballina
Ballina Homestead Motel
Ballina Homestead Motel
4 out of 5
Cnr Cherry Street & Fox Street, Ballina, NSW
The price is €102 per night from 25 Jan to 26 Jan
€102
includes taxes & fees
25 Jan - 26 Jan
Stay at this 4-star motel in Ballina. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (773 reviews)
"Great"

Reviewed on 11 Jan 2025

Ballina Homestead Motel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Lennox Beach Resort
Lennox Beach Resort
4 out of 5
7 Park Lane, Lennox Head, NSW
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Ballina. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Lennox Head Beach and Pat Morton Lookout are ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (413 reviews)
"Clean spacious and comfortable"

Reviewed on 18 Jan 2025

Lennox Beach Resort
Santa Fe Motel & Holiday Units
Santa Fe Motel & Holiday Units
3 out of 5
8 Byron Street, Lennox Head, NSW
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Ballina. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Lennox Head Beach and Seven Mile ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (230 reviews)
"Excellent location"

Reviewed on 13 Jan 2025

Santa Fe Motel & Holiday Units
Leisure Lee Holiday Apartments
Leisure Lee Holiday Apartments
3.5 out of 5
6 Easton Place, East Ballina, NSW
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Ballina. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Lighthouse Beach and Ballina Golf Club are located ...
7.6/10 Good! (92 reviews)
"Ad says unit is self contained with everything you need. There is a fridge, however the freezer was unusable because it hadn’t been defrosted for I don’t know how long. There was an ice cube tray imbedded in it that couldn’t be removed. There was sufficient crockery however the cutlery was a mash ..."

Reviewed on 16 Jan 2023

Leisure Lee Holiday Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Ballina

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
2
" "5 - Excellent 40%
4 - Good
2
" "4 - Good 40%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 20%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Alex

Ballina is a convenient place to stay in the Byron Bay area if you can’t get a place in Byron Bay itself, but other than that it’s not the greatest tourist destination in the world