'''Ballina''' is a coastal town, just south of Byron Bay in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales.

Get in

By plane

'''Ballina Airport (BNK)''' is on Southern Cross Drive, around 5km from the centre of Ballina.

* Virgin Blue, Jetstar and Rex fly direct from Sydney * Jetstar and Virgin Blue fly from Melbourne

Avis, Hertz, Thrify, Budget and Europcar all operate from the terminal building.

Blanches Bus Company [http://www.blanchs.com.au/route640_airport.html] operate a schedule service to the airport, travelling as far as Byron Bay. $3.60 to Ballina downtown, $9.40 to Byron.

Taxis operate from outside the terminal building. A taxi to Byron Bay would be expensive.

By car

Ballina is on the Pacific Highway, around 9 hours drive north of Sydney or just over 2 hours south from Brisbane.

Get around

See

Do

Buy

Eat

Drink

Sleep

  • Ballina YHA Travellers Lodge. 6 Tamar Street, Ballina. 2 6686 6737. eds from $25.00.

    Contact

    Get out

    Byron Bay is the most well known beachside destination in the region, but the Gold Coast and theme parks are also a possible day trip from here. Ballina itself has some nice beaches, including Lighthouse and Shelly beach, which are the two beaches patrolled by Surf Life Savers, as well as the more secluded Angel's Beach, which is nice to walk along, and Sharps Beach, which also has an occasional Life Saver presence. Between Sharps beach, and Angel's Beach is Flat Rock, a large rocky outcrop into the sea. A short walk away is Boulder Beach, which has large boulders instead of sand. The walk, however is unsignposted. Lennox Head, between Byron Bay and Ballina is also close by.