Shop local, eat seasonal, live well
Ballina Farmers & Producers Market is held every Sunday from 7-11am in Commemoration Park on the beautiful banks of North Creek.
You'll find the freshest produce direct from the farmers and artisan food made by local producers, plus live music, great coffee and delicious breakfast options right on the water. It's the perfect way to kick off a Sunday morning.
Dogs on leads welcome.
This interesting heritage trail takes in Ballina's most historic precinct - Norton Street. Norton Street began as a bustling thoroughfare and transformed into Ballina's most prestigious residential address. Gorgeous houses and buildings line both sides of the street, each with its own tale to tell.
A highlight of the walk is Ballina Manor Boutique Hotel, formerly North Coast Girls College, which is a heritage-listed building that now operates as an accommodation property. Flanked by hundred-year-old Norfolk Pines, this leisurely walk is the perfect way to spend an hour discovering Ballina's rich heritage.
A free guide to the Norton Street Heritage Trail, including maps and a brief history of each landmark, is available from the Ballina Visitor Information Centre.
The Ballina Loop ride is a scenic, mostly off-road shared pathway that showcases some of Ballina's most iconic coastal views. With flat terrain and wide paths, it's an easy 11.5km ride suited to cyclists of all ages and abilities.
The loop traverses along Ballina's impressive breakwall, where the Richmond River meets the sea, before continuing north along the stunning coastline toward Angels Beach.
From Angels Beach, the route turns through the streets of Angels estate onto Angels Beach Drive, passing the peaceful surrounds of Prospect Lake before looping back toward Ballina's town centre.
Whether you're chasing a relaxed morning ride, a family-friendly cycling adventure or simply a new path to explore, the Ballina Loop ride offers a refreshing perspective.
Located in the southern area of Kingsford Smith Reserve, the Ballina Pump Track is an exciting new recreational attraction for riders of all ages and abilities. Designed for bikes, scooters and skateboards, the track allows riders to build and maintain speed using a smooth pumping motion - no pedalling or pushing required.
This competition-quality facility features a main pump track built to national qualifier standards, making it suitable for high-level riding and events, alongside a junior pump track and an alternate advanced line for more experienced riders. Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned rider, there's a track to suit every skill level.
The surrounding precinct enhances the experience with trackside viewing areas, shelters, seating, bike stands, drinking fountains and a handy workstation, all set within landscaped grounds with shade trees. It's a great spot for riders and spectators alike to relax, watch the action and enjoy the outdoors.
Free to access and open to the public, the Ballina Pump Track is a vibrant addition to the town's outdoor adventure offering - perfect for families, young riders and anyone keen to roll, ride and have fun by the river.
If you’re looking for the ultimate skate spot in Ballina, look no further than the Ballina Skate Park! Situated right by the gorgeous Richmond River, it is perfect for skaters, BMX riders, and scooter enthusiasts of all skill levels.
With smooth concrete surfaces, gnarly ramps, fun rails, and a bowl that flows like a dream, the park is a playground for tricks and adrenaline. Whether you're mastering your ollies, showing off some sweet grinds, or just cruising, the vibe here is as chill as the coastal breeze.
For spectators, there is plenty of seating and shady spots to kick back while the kids (or adults) burn some energy. Plus, its location near Missingham Park makes it an easy stop for a full day of outdoor fun.
Don’t forget your helmet, and bring along your crew—Ballina Skate Park is where good vibes and awesome rides meet!
The Ballina Indoor Sports Centre (BISC) is your go-to destination for year round indoor sports and casual play.
Conveniently located and purpose built for community sport and recreation, the BISC features two full-sized, international-standard courts line-marked for basketball, netball, futsal, volleyball and pickleball. Whether you're up for a casual game, want to shoot hoops with mates, or keen to rally for a friendly pickleball match, the BISC delivers a great indoor sports experience in comfort.
Willow and Zee is a boutique fashion store located in the heart of Ballina, offering visitors a relaxed and enjoyable retail experience while exploring the region. Perfect for those seeking a little retail therapy during their stay, the boutique showcases a curated collection of contemporary women's fashion, featuring seasonal statement pieces, versatile wardrobe staples and timeless linen designs suited to the coastal lifestyle.
Visitors can browse a range of clothing designed for both everyday wear and special occasions, making it easy to find something stylish and practical to suit the Northern Rivers climate. With a focus on quality fabrics, flattering silhouettes and effortless styling, Willow and Zee provides a personalised shopping experience in a welcoming setting.
Conveniently positioned within Ballina's town centre, the boutique is an ideal stop between beach visits, café catch-ups or riverside walks. Whether refreshing a holiday wardrobe, finding a special piece to take home, or simply enjoying a leisurely browse, Willow and Zee offers a distinctly local shopping experience for visitors to the Ballina Coast and Hinterland.
Tucked along North Creek, The Serpentine is the kind of spot that families will fall in love with.
For the little ones, the small, rolling waves are perfect for learning to surf, while on the right tide you'll find stunning lagoons forming – ideal for paddling, floating, and exploring. The water is usually crystal clear, shallow enough for peace of mind, and shaded by trees that give you a break from the sun. There's even a shower on hand to rinse off before heading home – because no one enjoys bringing half the beach back in their shoes.
Easy to access and welcoming to all, The Serpentine also doubles as a spectacular sunset spot. As the day fades, watch the sun spill golden light through the Norfolk Pines across the creek – a serene way to end a coastal day.
Cherry Street Sports is a welcoming community club in the heart of Ballina, offering relaxed dining, live entertainment and family friendly experiences for locals and visitors alike.
Open daily for lunch and dinner, Cherry Street Sports serves generous meals, weekly specials and great value dining in a casual and friendly atmosphere.
Families can enjoy the dedicated kids play area and school holiday activities, while Thursday nights feature $5 kids meals with the purchase of a main meal. Kids playground and open space allows them to burn off the energy.
Visitors looking to experience authentic local hospitality can enjoy live music, community events, major sporting broadcasts and social bowls, all within a relaxed setting close to Ballina's town centre.
Whether you're catching up with friends, enjoying a meal after a day exploring the coast, or looking for a welcoming venue to experience the local community, Cherry Street Sports offers a genuine Ballina experience for all ages.
Dive into family fun at Ballina Waterslides, located within the Ballina Memorial Pool and overlooking the picturesque Richmond River.
A much-loved part of the Ballina skyline since 1981, Ballina Waterslides have become a local icon. The two slides offer something for everyone—choose the gentler green slide for a relaxing ride or the yellow slide for a bit more excitement.
With two giant waterslides and access to modern swimming pool facilities, it’s the perfect spot for a fun day out with the whole family.
Locally run and welcoming, it’s a great place to make lasting memories.
Dive into endless fun and relaxation at Ballina Memorial Pool, an unforgettable day out for families, friends, and visitors of all ages.
The facility includes a 50-metre heated pool with eight 2.5 metre-wide lanes for competition swimming and water polo games. It also offers a 25-metre heated enclosable pool. Both pools have access ramps into the pools.
For the little ones, there is a wet play splash area and for the bigger kids, there are two waterslides - a shorter slide for a gentle ride, and a longer faster slide for the waterslide enthusiast.
Food and drinks can be purchased from the pool kiosk, and picnic tables are on the grounds with free barbecues available for use.
This amazing facility is directly on the Richmond River.
Located in Ballina, Vinnies is a popular local op shop offering a diverse range of quality pre loved clothing, homewares and other second hand treasures. Its a great place to browse for a bargain, find something unique and shop more sustainably, while supporting the important work of St Vincent de Paul Society.
Purchases made at Vinnies help support programs and services assisting people experiencing hardship within the community. The organisation is committed to creating a more just and compassionate society by providing practical assistance, support and hope to people in need.
Whether you're searching for a wardrobe find, useful household item or simply enjoy exploring op shops, Vinnies Ballina is well worth a browse.
The Westpac Helicopter Rescue Op Shop in Ballina offers a variety of clean clothing, linen, bedding, footwear, and general bric-a-brac. Every purchase made directly supports the lifesaving work of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.
The funds raised are crucial in helping keep the helicopters in the air and ready to assist the community in times of need. All donations and purchases make a real difference in saving lives, as the continued support ensures that they can continue this vital service.
Located alongside the beautiful Richmond River, the Ballina Memorial Swimming Pool and Waterslides is one of Ballina's most popular family attractions, offering fun, fitness and relaxation all in one location.
Whether you're looking to cool off on a warm day, swim laps, or keep the kids entertained for hours, this modern aquatic centre has something for everyone.
The complex features two swimming pools – a heated 50-metre outdoor pool with eight lanes and a heated 25-metre semi-enclosed pool – along with a children's splash park and two giant waterslides. The 50-metre pool is heated to approximately 27 degrees during the cooler months, while the 25-metre pool is heated to approximately 32 degrees, making it ideal for learn-to-swim programs and water rehabilitation.
Designed with comfort and accessibility in mind, the centre includes modern change rooms with heated showers, accessible toilets, ramps and wheelchair-friendly facilities.
The on-site kiosk serves quality local coffee, fresh sandwiches, hot meals and classic canteen favourites. Visitors can also enjoy undercover seating and free barbecue facilities, making it easy to spend the day by the water.
From early morning lap swimmers to families enjoying a day out, the Ballina Memorial Swimming Pool and Waterslides is a welcoming destination for visitors of all ages.
The Wind Never Sleeps is a captivating series of aluminium garden sculptures by local artist Paul Harrington, created as a physical portrayal of the interaction between wind and the environment. The work captures movement in stillness — the invisible energy of the wind expressed through elegant, sculptural form.
Each piece reflects the constant dance between nature's forces, evoking a sense of flow and connection that's deeply tied to Ballina's coastal landscape. Whether experienced up close or from a distance, the sculptures shimmer and shift with changing light, echoing the rhythm of the natural world they represent.
Paul Harrington is a self-taught artist whose creative journey began with a passion for photography and evolved into a love for painting and sculpture. Inspired by travel, music, and emotion, Paul's work explores the relationship between movement, place, and feeling. His artistic practice combines technical precision with expressive energy — transforming everyday materials into reflections of the landscapes and experiences that shape him.
Ballina Players presents a regular season of comedy, drama, musicals and cabaret. With five productions each year, each production has ensured a fresh inflow of talent from Ballina and surrounding districts.
Ballina Players operates from its own theatre, built in 1984 and has continued to develop and expand its production facilities and to improve the audience environment for patrons.
The Players Theatre traditionally operates with a cabaret set up comfortable accommodating 140.
Created in 2023, A Place to Create, A Place to Share, A Place that Matters is a striking flood recovery mural by local artist Gala Jane, inspired by the resilience and spirit of the Northern Rivers community.
Developed through community consultation and recovery workshops, the mural captures the three key elements that emerged from those conversations — Safe Space, Community, and Sharing. The thoughtful colour palette symbolises Ballina's identity and connection to place:
Orange monochrome – representing the famous Big Prawn
Blue monochrome – representing where the sea and sky meet
Orange and blue together – representing the meeting of place, culture, arts, and people
This powerful mural stands as a testament to creativity and connection in the face of adversity, reflecting the ongoing journey of healing and renewal after the 2022 floods.
Gala Jane is a Northern Rivers mixed-media artist whose work uses text, textiles, and found objects to explore women's safety, mental health, and community resilience. A graduate of Southern Cross University, her murals and installations appear throughout the region. After losing her studio and artworks in the 2022 Lismore floods, Gala's practice now deeply examines trauma, recovery, and hope through art.
Folded Circle is a mesmerising digital artwork by Northern Rivers visual artist Allan Leisk, blending mathematics, code, and nature into a single visual experience. Created through creative coding, this vinyl decal explores how algorithms can generate organic forms — revealing the harmony that exists between geometry and the natural world.
Inspired by both the hard-edge paintings of the 1960s and the circular shapes found in nature, the Folded Circle algorithm uses randomness to determine colour palettes, shapes, and folds. The result is a dynamic composition of vibrant, interlocking forms that evoke the rings of a tree, ripples on water, seashell spirals, and even the orbits of planets.
The Kaibō algorithm dissects organic forms into composable elements then re-forms them into a precise geometric arrangement, which gives way to emergent patterns and organic growth the closer we look.
These works invites viewers to see the beauty in structure — to notice how patterns, both natural and mathematical, are woven through every part of our world.
Allan Leisk is a Northern Rivers artist who creates algorithmic art through hand-coded programming — without the use of AI. His practice, under the pseudonym AutoEclectus, explores the intersection of technology, emotion, and the organic world. Through his art, Allan challenges the boundaries between digital precision and natural imperfection. His works have been exhibited internationally.
Set sail on a journey through time at the Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum, where Australia's maritime heritage meets hands-on discovery. Nestled in the heart of Ballina, this volunteer-run treasure trove is a must-visit for history buffs, curious minds, and families looking for an engaging and educational outing.
Home to the world's last surviving Las Balsas raft—which famously journeyed from Ecuador to Ballina in 1970—this museum boasts a nationally significant collection of artefacts and exhibits. Visitors can explore Australia's largest collection of shop models, rare shipwreck artefacts, a tribute to women in the navy, as well as an extensive range of naval uniforms and memorabilia.
With interactive displays, recreated naval vessel scenes, and DVD presentations, the museum makes history come alive for visitors of all ages. Kids love the hands-on exhibits, while adults appreciate the detail, craftsmanship and compelling storytelling woven throughout.
The museum is run by a host of volunteers - many of whom have maritime or naval experience and love sharing stories, offering fascinating insights, and highlighting the hidden gems within the museum's walls.
Centrally located near the Richmond River and town centre, the Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum is an experience for the history enthusiast, a nautical novice, or someone just keen to explore something new.
Located on the roundabout on the corner of Tamar and Cherry Street, and best viewed from one of the adjacent footpaths, Homeward Currents – Osprey is a striking public sculpture by Northern Rivers artist Leith Walton. The sculpture was created to celebrate the beauty and sacredness of native birds and their connection to Ballina's rivers and coastline.
Crafted from corten steel and recycled timber, the sculpture reflects the natural environment — its earthy tones and organic form echoing the flight and grace of the osprey, a species commonly seen soaring over the Richmond River. An aerial perspective of the Richmond River catchment patterns the bird's wings capturing a moment of motion and meaning, reminding viewers of the interwoven relationship between land, water, and wildlife.
Leith Walton grew up in the rainforests of northern New South Wales and has always been inspired by the natural world. His creative practice spans illustration, sculpture, and murals — blending whimsy, fantasy, and environmental storytelling. Working in both traditional and digital mediums, Leith's art explores the intersection of beauty, imagination, and structure. His public artworks, such as Homeward Currents, are designed to be both visually captivating and deeply connected to place.
Welcoming visitors to the Ballina Shire Council building, this digital mural by the Saltwater Women Art Group depicts a powerful visual story of connection, culture, and Country. The artwork represents the group's part of the Bundjalung Nation and their deep ties to Ballina, Cabbage Tree Island, and the surrounding areas.
Flowing across the mural is the waterway, the lifeblood of the land and a traditional source of food and community connection. Sugar cane recalls the "stripping cane days" on the island and its lasting presence in the landscape. Pippis and pig face flowers — both traditional food sources — honour the abundance of the region and the enduring relationship between people and Country.
This meaningful work was inspired by the late Aunty Kath Rhodes, a respected Elder whose legacy continues to guide and connect the community.
Formed in 2004, the Saltwater Women Art Group was named by respected Bundjalung Elder Gehi Yubay Dubay (Saltwater Women). Many grew up on Cabbage Tree Island, and their collaborative works reflect traditional movements of their ancestors and the deep cultural knowledge tied to the land and sea of the Northern Rivers.
Regatta is a striking steel sculpture by local artist Suvira McDonald, inspired by the rhythm and beauty of Ballina's river culture. The artwork reflects the lively atmosphere of weekends when the sails of the local sailing club sweep across the river's surface — a scene of movement, light, and community connection.
Located on a vertical wall in the external courtyard, of the building, the sculpture's net-like forms are delicately embedded with fish motifs, evoking the flow of water and the abundance of aquatic life. With its elegant curves and dynamic composition, Regatta captures the essence of the Richmond River — fluid, reflective, and deeply tied to the town's identity.
Suvira McDonald is a Northern Rivers artist whose practice spans ceramics, sculpture, and mixed media. He holds a Diploma in Ceramics and a Master's Degree in Visual Art from Southern Cross University. Over a career spanning three decades, Suvira has taught ceramics and sculpture, exhibited widely, and received numerous awards. His works combine materials such as steel, wood, stone, and ceramics, often exploring natural rhythms, form, and texture.
Salvos Boutique Ballina is a centrally located op shop on Ballina's main street, offering a wide selection of quality pre-loved items donated by the local community. The store provides an accessible and enjoyable shopping experience for visitors and locals alike.
Shoppers will find an ever-changing range of affordable second-hand goods, including clothing, shoes, furniture, homewares, books and toys. From unique vintage pieces to everyday essentials, there is something to suit a variety of styles and needs.
All proceeds from Salvos Boutique Ballina directly support The Salvation Army's programs and services across Australia. Visiting the store offers the opportunity to shop sustainably while contributing to community initiatives that make a positive impact nationwide.
Discover a colourful tribute to Ballina's character and charm with Ballina Postage Stamps, a large-scale mural by local artist Kate Stroud. Best viewed from Tamar Street footpath, near the bus terminal.
This vibrant artwork captures the spirit of the Northern Rivers through a series of nostalgic postage stamps and postcards — each celebrating something uniquely Ballina. From the legendary surfing prawn and banksia blooms, to the seasonal whale migration, waterslide, and pipis on the beach, Kate brings the town's icons to life with bold colour and creativity.
Designed to transform a once-grey wall into a joyful celebration of place, the mural's warm palette and playful detail make it a perfect photo stop and reminder of Ballina's seaside charm. Postcards featuring the artwork are available from the Northern Rivers Community Gallery, so visitors can send a little piece of Ballina to loved ones near and far.
Kate Stroud is a Northern Rivers artist, signwriter, and large-scale muralist known for her joyful, thought-provoking, and community-driven works. Her art adorns laneways, walls, and businesses across the region, reflecting the outspoken and creative spirit of the Northern Rivers. A passionate advocate for a vibrant local arts scene, Kate's work celebrates community, identity, and resilience.
