A burgeoning tourist destination, the Northern Rivers NSW coastal town of Ballina is the heart of a region renowned for its spectacular, uncrowded beaches, magnificent, world heritage listed rainforests and extraordinary cultural diversity. Just 25 minutes’ drive from Byron Bay, Ballina is the ideal base for exploring this fascinating part of the world. Ballina is famous for its friendly, laid-back ambiance, seemingly endless waterways, quality fishing, mouthwatering seafood, legendary surf breaks and, of course, those incredible beaches.