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Northern Rivers Ballina, Lennox Head & Yamba
Have some fun in the sun in beautiful Ballina, Lennox Head and Yamba.
Ballina
Ballina has 32 kilometres of pristine white beaches and is a great spot for fishing at the mouth of the Richmond River. Visit Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Centre and find out everything there is to know about this marvellous cure-all natural product.
The town of Ballina, centred on an island at the mouth of the Richmond River, is surrounded by 32 kilometers of white, sandy beaches and seemingly endless, crystal waterways — it’s a natural funpark for beach lovers, surfers, boaties, anglers and eco-adventurers.
You can relax and enjoy the vast expanses of the Richmond on an historic river cruise or explore the teeming wetlands of North Creek’s upper reaches by canoe. Go bush with a four-wheel-drive adventure tour; take in Ballina’s spectacular coastline from the kilometres of well-paved cycleways; or thrill to the annual migration of the humpbacks from the lighthouse or Skennars Head.
The fishing at Flat Rock and Angels Beach is legendary and, if you wet line at dawn from Ballina’s North or South Walls, you’re in for a breakfast feast.
A blend of tranquil seaside hideaway and vibrant holiday resort, Ballina is the commercial and entertainment hub of the shire. The historic thoroughfares of the town centre are lined with stylish cafes and restaurants where you can sample the famous local seafood and, of course, there are plenty of classic country pubs.
You can visit museums that showcase Ballina’s colourful history, or discover theatres, galleries and expos that are bursting with the creative output of the region’s many visual and performing artists.
There is an enormous choice holiday fun for the kids and, for the die-hard shopaholic, a mind-boggling array of funky boutiques and designer stores.
Lennox Head
This peaceful seaside village boasts superb surfing beaches and waterfront cafes. Its spectacular headland is a great place to take in the magnificent scenery of the Northern Rivers area.
The laid-back village of Lennox Head, a scenic 10 minute jaunt up the coast road, is a Mecca among surfers, with world-renowned breaks at Boulders and Lennox Point.
The views from the headland are absolutely breathtaking and Pat Morton Lookout offers the perfect vantage point for a bit of whale and dolphin spotting… or, for the more adventurous, taking to the skies on a hang-glider.
Hidden between the white sands of Lennox’s Seven Mile Beach and the wildlife-rich coastal heathland, Lake Ainsworth is a must. The fresh waters of the Lake are stained "billy-tea" dark by the tea trees that fringe its banks. Take the plunge into it's deep red waters and you’ll emerge feeling remarkably refreshed and revitalised. You can skim its shimmering surface on a sailboard, ‘cat’ or canoe or just lie back under the tea trees and enjoy the Lake’s natural serenity. Lake Ainsworth is the picture-perfect backdrop for Lennox’s colourful monthly markets (second and fifth Sundays) and you can even camp on the foreshores.
Yamba
Head into Yamba and grab a pile of freshly caught prawns. Take a ferry to the fishing village of Iluka, learn to surf at one of Yamba’s protected surfbeaches, or check out Angourie’s freshwater ‘Blue Pool’ rock pool.
Yamba is situated at the mouth of the Clarence River in northern New South WAles and is the biggest river on the east coast of Australia. Yamba has a relaxed lifestyle with access to all services and within easy reach of major regional centres and capital cities.
Yamba is surrounded by Yuraygir National Park, the Clarence River, Pacific Ocean and rural land. The Yaegl people are traditional custodians of the coastal areas around Yamba, Iluka and Maclean.
A great quiet spot for fishing or prawning, Yamba also contains a host of beaches that are super for surfing or other waterways for diving. In particular, the rock pool at Yamba Beach is an excellent swimming set-up for any family. Views from the Yamba Lighthouse are striking and two nearby coastal parks, Yuraygir and Bundjalung, are day trips all on their own.
For some 60,000 years Aboriginal tribes were the sole inhabitants of the Yamba region, the best known being the Yiegara people. Then the great English explorer and navigator Matthew Flinders came ashore at Shoal Bay in July 1799, just 11 years after Port Phillip, later known as Sydney was established.
Yamba town was officially gazetted in 1885, as the area's varied tourist attractions became known. In 1908 the Yamba Surf Lifesaving Club was formed, guesthouses and hotels arose, the region's fishing industry began to expand and sugar cane became an established crop.
Riverboats and steamers that plied between Grafton and Sydney were gradually replaced by rail and better road connections and from the 1970s Yamba's appeal as a holiday resort started to impact on the people of both New South Wales and Southern Queensland.
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Weather
| AVERAGE TEMPERATURES | ||||
| Jan | Apr | Jul | Oct | |
| Max temp | 27C | 24C | 19C | 23C |
| 71F | 75F | 66F | 73F | |
| Min temp | 21C | 18C | 13C | 17C |
| 69F | 64F | 55F | 62F | |