What to do in Ballina

Activities, attractions and tours

Ballina showing street scenes and signage
Ballina showing street scenes and signage
Lighthouse Beach showing a sandy beach
Ballina featuring street scenes
Ballina showing an administrative building and street scenes

Ballina Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Ballina has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Ballina is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Ballina to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Ballina Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Ballina.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Ballina attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Recommended things to do in Ballina

Number of things to do
53
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Group Surfing Lessons Kool Katz 1 day: CA $47
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Ballina

Discover the most popular places to visit in Ballina

Lake Ainsworth, Lennox Heads, also known as Tea-tree lake, gets its reddish colour from the tea-tree trees surrounding it. One dip left me with smooth hair and skin. #australia #lake

Lake Ainsworth Sport and Recreation Centre

You can take time to visit Lake Ainsworth Sport and Recreation Centre during your travels to Ballina. While you're in the area, stroll along the beautiful beaches.

Lake Ainsworth Sport and Recreation Centre
The cliffs of Pat Morton Lookout, Lennox Head, NSW. This is my favourite place in the Northern Rivers, as the sweeping meadow, high cliffs, pebbly beach and vast expanse of sea makes me feel I'm far away on an adventure.

Pat Morton Lookout

You can find out about the history of Ballina when you stop by Pat Morton Lookout. While you're in the area, stroll along the beautiful beaches.

Pat Morton Lookout

Ballina District Hospital

Though Ballina District Hospital might be what brings you to town, perhaps you'll have a chance to explore more of Ballina while you are here.

Ballina District Hospital

Ballina Fair Shopping Centre

4/5(1 review)

You can find the perfect gifts to bring home at Ballina Fair Shopping Centre during your visit to Ballina. Wander the beautiful beaches and riverfront in this relaxing area.

Ballina Fair Shopping Centre

Ballina Golf Club

Enjoy a round of golf in Ballina at Ballina Golf Club. Wander the beautiful beaches and riverfront in this relaxing area.

Ballina Golf Club

Ballina Racecourse

You can take time to visit Ballina Racecourse during your travels to Ballina. Wander the beautiful beaches and riverfront in this relaxing area.

Ballina Racecourse

Boulder Beach

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Boulder Beach during your trip to Ballina? Wander the beautiful beaches in this relaxing area.

Boulder Beach

Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum

You can spend an afternoon exploring the galleries in Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum during your travels in Ballina. Wander the beautiful beaches and riverfront in this relaxing area.

Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum

Big Prawn

Learn about the local history of Ballina when you spend time at Big Prawn. Wander the riverfront and beautiful beaches in this relaxing area.

Big Prawn

Explore areas of Ballina

Lennox Head which includes a coastal town

Lennox Head

Experience this seaside town’s famous right-hand surf break and watch seasoned surfers competing on the waves. Check out the pretty lake and shoreline park.

Lennox Head
Ballina featuring a sandy beach

East Ballina

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

East Ballina
The ultimate adrenalin rush! To do a tandem skydive with the guys at Skydive the Beach and Beyond Byron Bay is an unforgettable memory :) These take care of you and make the experience the best :)

Ballina Central

While visiting Ballina Central, you might make a stop by sights like Ballina Racecourse and Ballina Fair Shopping Centre.

Ballina Central
Lennox Head showing a sandy beach

North Creek

North Creek is known for its stunning beaches, and you can see some sights in the area like Lennox Head Beach and Seven Mile Beach.

North Creek
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Skennars Head

While visiting Skennars Head, you might make a stop by sights like Sharpe's Beach and Angels Beach.

Skennars Head
Lennox Head, Far North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

West Ballina

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

West Ballina

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Ballina

Broken Head featuring waves, a bay or harbour and rocky coastline

Broken Head

An eroded beach and washed ashore driftwood logs and flood debris in the early morning light after a cyclonic front storm on Shelly Beach in Ballina in New South Wales, Australia.

South Ballina

Frequently asked questions

Is Ballina worth visiting?
Providing a blend of family-friendly attractions and surfing, there are plenty of things to do in Ballina. While you're here, head to Pat Morton Lookout, a major attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Ballina?
Begin your day with a visit to Pat Morton Lookout and Killen Falls. Then, check out other areas of Ballina for tasty eats and a little retail therapy.
What is the top tourist attraction in Ballina?
You can't go home without checking out Pat Morton Lookout, ranked the top tourist attraction in Ballina.
Is three days enough to stay in Ballina?
You can easily enjoy popular attractions like Pat Morton Lookout, Richmond River Nature Reserve and Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum with a three-day escape to Ballina. On average, most travellers plan two days here. There's plenty to see and do nearby too, so stay a little longer and check out Byron Bay.
Is Ballina a walkable city?
With vibrant neighbourhoods and leading sights within walking distance of the city centre, Ballina is a great place to experience on foot. Wander between Richmond River Nature Reserve and Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum. Then take a stroll through West Ballina, located 3 kilometres from the centre, and East Ballina, which is about 3 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Ballina with kids?
Deciding what to do in Ballina with kids is easier than ever. Whether you're taking a trip with teenagers or little ones, there are many family-friendly activities to keep everyone entertained here.

What to do in Ballina for adults?
Whether you're a food lover, culture enthusiast or outdoor adventurer, there are many things to do in Ballina for adults.
Are there free things to do in Ballina?
In Ballina, Pat Morton Lookout is an unmissable spot for anyone wishing to tour the city without reaching for their wallet. Also, wander around the other neighbourhoods and green spaces, and ask a local tour guide for recommendations. It's a good way to learn about the best free things to do in Ballina.

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