Australian Towns, Cities & Highways: Ballina

Ballina

Ballina, located at the mouth of the Richmond River and on the Pacific Highway is a popular tourist destination. While the area was discovered in the early 1820's, it wasnt until 1840 that the area was used for logging and Ballina was surveyed as a port to ship timber to Sydney. By the end of the 1800's, sugar plantations had also been established. Nowadays, the area is dominated by sugar cane with tourism, dairying and fishing the other prominent industries. Ballina is pleasant to visit - has a busy main street with a strong shopping precinct, warm climate and many great long beaches. The town is renowned for the Big Prawn (southern entrance to town), various cycleways (extremely flat terrain), the Naval & Maritime Museum and Macadamia Land (10km north at Knockrow).

Population: 11,000
State: New South Wales
Name Origin: Of Aboriginal origin meaning "place where oysters are plentiful"
Pronunciation: Bal-i-na
Postcode: 2478
Local Government: Ballina Shire Council
Location: 779km north of Sydney, 198km south of Brisbane
Main Roads: Pacific Highway , Bruxner Hwy
Main Watercourses: Richmond River, Coral Sea
Radio Stations (Music): Triple Z (100.9), FM 104.7 (104.7), Triple J (96.1)

Photos from Ballina (Click on thumbnail for full sized image):

Looking south over East Ballina, the Richmond River mouth and Coral Sea from the Richmond Park Hill lookout (2004).

Looking east over Ballina town centre and North Creek from the Richmond River lookout (2004).

Heading south-east on the Pacific Highway into Ballina (2004).

Norton Street, heading south-west approaching Bentinck Street, Ballina (2004).

River Street, looking south-east at the Cherry Street roundabout, Ballina (2004).

River Street, looking north-west between Cherry and Martin Streets, Ballina (2004).

River Street, looking south-east from Moon Street, Ballina (2004).

River Street, looking north-west from Moon Street, Ballina (2004).

The Pacific Highway, heading south-east into Ballina (2004).

The Big Prawn, located at the Caltex Service Station, West Ballina (2004).

The Pacific Highway, heading east into West Ballina (2004).

Heading east on the Pacific Highway, approaching the Big Prawn, West Ballina (2002).

	Looking south over East Ballina, the Richmond River mouth and Coral Sea from the Richmond Park Hill lookout (2004).
	Looking east over Ballina town centre and North Creek from the Richmond River lookout (2004).
	Heading south-east on the Pacific Highway into Ballina (2004).
	Norton Street, heading south-west approaching Bentinck Street, Ballina (2004).
	River Street, looking south-east at the Cherry Street roundabout, Ballina (2004).
	River Street, looking north-west between Cherry and Martin Streets, Ballina (2004).
	River Street, looking south-east from Moon Street, Ballina (2004).
	River Street, looking north-west from Moon Street, Ballina (2004).
	The Pacific Highway, heading south-east into Ballina (2004).
	The Big Prawn, located at the Caltex Service Station, West Ballina (2004).
	The Pacific Highway, heading east into West Ballina (2004).
	Heading east on the Pacific Highway, approaching the Big Prawn, West Ballina (2002).