Ballina
The climate and the stunning coastal scenery are major factors bringing people to Ballina. Many tourists are looking to enjoy a quieter and more family-oriented holiday than some of the busier spots further up the coast.
The fact that Ballina has an airport and is located on the Pacific Highway make it very easily accessible. It is also only 1 1/2 hours from Surfers Paradise and 2 1/2 hours from Brisbane.
The Richmond River is popular for recreational boating, sailing and fishing, as well as river cruises on boats such as the MV Richmond Princess or the MV Bennelong. Many cruises offer meals and commentary, and boats may also be chartered.
The surrounding farming areas are popular for country drives, and there are many smaller towns and villages with good coffee shops plus craft shops, galleries, antiques and boutiques for those in need of some souvenirs or retail therapy.
There is also a beautiful 17.5 hectare area of forest at the Victoria Park Nature Reserve on the Alstonville Plateau. A boardwalk has been created to lead through this magnificent reminder of how the whole region once looked. There are also many national parks and world heritage-listed areas in the region, which can be visited independantly or as part of an eco-tour, four-wheel drive guided tour/walk or even a barbecue lunch with commentaries.
As much of Ballina is reasonably flat, it's perfect for cyclists wanting to sightsee whilst getting some light exercise. A shared pathway for both cyclists and pedestrians runs around Ballina, with popular vantage points from the lighthouse and Shelly Beach, which are ideal for whale spotting during the migration season (June to October) or for sighting dolphins playing in the waves year round. The coastguard tower volunteers also welcome visitors between 8am and 4pm, providing a very different river and ocean outlook. The Kerry Saxby pathway runs past the Olympic Pool and Waterslide to the Naval & Maritime Museum.
Historic buildings in the area include the Shaws Bay Hotel, which was originally Fenwick House, built by Captain Thomas Fenwick in 1886. A two-storey granite building roofed with slate, the Scottish Manor style building has cedar fittings including a magnificent staircase, and the dining room and saloon bar have been restored to their Victorian elegance. Riversleigh Guest House and Tea Rooms, opposite the Richmond River, was built in the 1880's, and has been restored to include a café on the wide verandahs.
Lennox Head
The surfers know Lennox for its internationally famous right hand point break, and the hang-gliders love the place for the sensational views when they take off from Pat Morton Lookout and many generations of children will know the tea tree freshwater lake which forms the hub of so many activities at Lake Ainsworth's famous fitness camps. Add to this the fishing enthusiasts and the Byron locals who often find Lennox a quieter seaside place than their own bustling town for a good meal or coffee (it's just 15 minute's drive south) and you can see why the locals love the place so much.
Lennox Head has a great coastal village atmosphere, with a main street full of boutiques, cafes, restaurants, post office and supermarket and a long strip of park adjoining the beach opposite, the perfect place for sitting in the shade of the pandanus palms and enjoying fish and chips.
Lake Ainsworth is very popular, with excellent picnic facilities and water craft for hire, as well as being good for sailing. The waters are reputed to have therapeutic qualities, and the area provides the backdrop for the Lennox Head Markets, which offer a wide variety of goods from handicrafts to tropical fruit and vegetables.
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