Ballina is located on the Pacific Highway, and was established on the northern shore of the Richmond River near Cape Byron, Australia's most easterly point, in the 1840s. Ballina boasts some of the most beautiful surfing beaches and picturesque headlands on the east coast of Australia. It is approximately 750Km north of Sydney and 205Km south of Brisbane. It is home to the World's Largest Prawn (made of concrete and fibreglass).
History of Ballina
Ballina has a number of famous "landfalls" associated with it. The first, in 1928, was Charles Kingsford Smith. His plane, the "Southern Cross", crossed the coast over Ballina after its epic journey across the Pacific. Ballina had a festival associated with the event during the 1970s and 1980s, and a school in East Ballina bears the name "Southern Cross". The second landfall associated with Ballina was in 1973 when the Las Balsas rafts were towed into Ballina by fishing trawlers after their journey from Ecuador. They originally had planned to arrive in Mooloolaba in Queensland, but currents had forced them off their destination. Their journey was almost twice as long as the Kon-Tiki expeditions of 1947 and proved that people could have travelled across the Pacific in ancient times.
Some believe it was named after the Irish town of Ballina, but this is unlikely. The more plausible explanation is that the name is derived from an Indigenous Australian word meaning "place of many oysters". The names being "Bullinah" and "Boolinah" .
Travel & Tours in Ballina
Adventure Travel represents over 1,000 hostels, hotels, tour companies & attractions across australia that we can book for you often at a discouted rate. At Adventure Travel we also operate a number of our own tours.
Currency used in Ballina
In Ballina the standard currency used is the Australia Dollar. The Australia dollar comes in denominations of 5c ,10c ,20c ,50c ,$1 & 2$ coins, and $5, $10, $20, $50 & $100 notes. Most bars, restaurants, backpacker hostels, shops and Adventure Tour desks in Ballina all take credit card, eftpos and cash. There is several cash machines in Ballina all which dispense the Australia Dollar currency. To check the Australian dollar exchange rate against a foreign currency then click here.
Backpacker Hostel Accommodation & Hotels in Ballina
In Ballina there is a number of Backpacker Hostels and Hotels where we can pre - book your accommodation. If you are looking for a budget hostel bed the click here or if you are looking for more luxurious accommodation then click here.
Security in Ballina
Ballina in Australia is a very safe place to travel with 1,000's of visitors touring through Ballina every year. This is a popular destination for sailing enthusiasts, sunlovers, families and backpackers. To check any foreign office information on Australia you can click here.
Weather in Ballina
The weather in Ballina is seasonal with 4 distinctive seasons. To get more information on the weather in Ballina, Australia, then click here.
Tours / Packages Related To: New South Wales
Backpacker Surfing at Scott's Head Since officially retiring in 2007, 2005 World Number 6 & Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Champion Trent Munro has commenced the Trent Munro Surf Academy catering for all levels of surfing. To add to Trent’s elite and professional surfing career, his accolades / wins and outstanding progress on th...
From $270 AUD
3 Days Melbourne to Sydney Explorer As you travel between Australia's two largest cities you will experience a diverse range of environments. Discover Canberra, Australia's capital city, it's highest mountain Mt Kosciuszko, the Snowy River wilderness and Wilsons Promontory National Park. Itinerary: day by dayDay 1: Melbour...
From $375 AUD
Airlie Beach to Sydney Backpacker Tour When it comes to dazzling natural attractions, golden beaches and pristine waterways, Australia’s East Coast has the lot. You’ll be visiting some of these on your journey north over the next 11 days, culminating in a Whitsundays Sailing Adventure through an island paradise. With pl...
From $1945 AUD
Cairns to Sydney Backpacker Tour When it comes to dazzling natural attractions, golden beaches and pristine waterways, Australia’s East Coast has the lot. You’ll be visiting some of these on your journey south over the next 15 days, kicking off your tour with an adventure to the World Heritage Daintree Region.&nbs...
From $2630 AUD
Alice Springs to Sydney Adventure Tour From the heart of the Red Centre to the golden coast this adventure allows you to experience two very different sides of Australia. You’ll combine rich red outback dust with white sandy beaches; wicked coastal nightlife and massive clear night stars! This is one very cool adventure...
