Things to do in Ballina
Ballina has just won third place in the Top Tourism Towns awards for 2025, and it's no wonder. This Northern Rivers gem has something for everyone, from shady coastal walks to top surf spots and kid and dog-friendly beaches. Not only that, but with a foodie and drink scene that has stepped up a notch, and with accommodation on point, this unassuming town also now makes an attractive alternative for couples and friends looking for a beach and bevvies break.
Highlights
- Walk the shady Coastal Recreation Path from Lighthouse to Sharpes Beach (5.2km)
- Snap a selfie at the Big Prawn outside Bunnings, and follow up with some local prawns for lunch from Northern Rivers Seafood
- Take the kids to Ballina Waterslides for a day of old-fashioned summer fun
- Visit nearby Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary at Newrybar for up close animal encounters
- Taste craft beers at Seven Mile Brewery
Where to eat
Ballina has grown up in recent years when it comes to places to eat, drink and be merry.
The old shack that once housed Shelly Beach Cafe has been replaced by a stunning new building with windows that open onto 180-degree beach views. Cafe owners Kaz and Blake Hanley serve up a sophisticated menu for breakfast and lunch and often have themed Sunset Session nights with music on Fridays. Hot tip: book ahead, this is a popular spot.
Breakfast at Shelly Beach Cafe, East Ballina. Credit: Bridie Schmidt
Heading into town, make sure to check out Saltbush Bar & Grill situated under the Ramada Hotel & Suites. This waterfront restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and makes for an especially romantic dinner date at sunset, seated outside with Richmond River as the backdrop. With ample seating inside also to escape a windy evening, Modern Australian cuisine featuring local seafood and produce is on the menu. It offers an imaginative range of cocktails too - the lychee martini being a personal favourite.
Lychee martini at Saltbush. Credit: Bridie Schmidt
Looking for a more upbeat dining experience? Head down the street to the Mexican Cantina behind the Australian Hotel, where you’ll find the beer garden (less an actual garden and more a laid-back outdoor dining area complete with picnic tables and umbrellas) adjoining a casual bar area serving delicious margaritas and tasty taco plates. There’s even live music on Thursdays and DJs on Saturdays for those in the mood for a boogie.
Don’t want to eat out? Grab some fresh local seafood from Northern Rivers Seafood, oysters from Richmond Oysters and fresh produce from the Ballina Farmers and Producers Market, and cook yourself up a storm.
Where to play
It’s the best of both worlds in Ballina, with both the river and the ocean offering water sports or just a quiet place to chillax.
Escape the crowds of Byron Bay and discover East Ballina, which features a great surf spot at North Wall, or take the little ones to the rock platform and mini ocean pool out the front of the aforementioned Shelly Beach Cafe.
Or, get out on the Richmond River, enjoyed by boaters, kayakers and sailors alike. Don’t have your own watercraft? Too easy, as the locals would say – give Ballina Boat Hire a call and plan a day out fishing or rent a BBQ boat and spend the day on the water with a group of friends or family.
A family visit to Ballina is not complete without a visit to Ballina Waterslides either (note these are only open seasonally – check the website for more info.) Set next to the newly renovated Ballina War Memorial Pool, the slides will keep older kids happily occupied while smaller kids can enjoy the wet play splash area. There's also a heated full-length 50m pool and warmer 25m inside pool, offering something for everyone.
Looking for some history and culture? Make sure to pop into the Ballina Maritime Museum next to the pool, which has a fascinating display ranging from deep sea diving to naval history to an actual raft from the famous Las Balsas expedition, complete with a sail we are told was painted by renowned artist Salvador Dali, which set out from Ecuador in 1973 to reach Mooloolaba but due to prevailing winds ended up arriving in little old Ballina.
Finish up the day at Northern Rivers Community Gallery, which consistently exhibits an array of high calibre artists – and also offers a range of workshops for creative types.
Where to stay
From good old family camping spots to high end hotels, you won’t be stumped for options in Ballina.
Camping grounds at Shaw’s Bay Holiday & Caravan Park and Ballina Beach Campgrounds, South Ballina are popular with locals and visitors alike, offering relaxed settings for the family. While Shaw’s Bay is set close to town, nearby the Shaw’s Bay Hotel and accompanying cafes, Ballina Beach is a half hour drive from town via the Burns Point Ferry. Make sure to get supplies before heading out, but be assured there is also a cafe and bar on site, as well as a Resort Shop for necessities.
The Ramada Hotel & Suites, sitting atop the Saltbush Bay & Grill, is a multistorey accommodation that offers arguably the best views of the river Ballina has to offer. Ballina Manor Boutique Hotel on the other hand, offers a stay full of heritage character, set in a former 1920s school with broad Queensland-style verandahs. Just 12 room options, from grand spa suites to spacious queen suites are available, making this Ballina gem a perfect choice for those after something more exclusive.
