Ballina is the perfect place to make base camp as it has all the facilities and services that modern travellers come to expect from a holiday town. Campervan and RV travellers are spoilt for choice with dozens of caravan parks in the area catering to your needs. Holiday makers with children will appreciate the wide range of fun activities on offer including the Olympic pool and waterslide, ten pin bowling, skate park, and cinema complex. Older kids may enjoy some fun in the sun such as golf, tennis, bike riding or horse riding. Parents and adults will definitely enjoy the wide range of shopping centres, restaurants and cafes.

Even though Ballina has you well catered for on dry land the main attraction of this stretch of coastline is of course the water. All year round the weather is ideally suited to enjoyment of the beautiful beaches and waterways in the area. You will find ample opportunities for swimming, surfing, kayaking, windsurfing, boating, sailing, and fishing. The iconic Richmond River can be enjoyed with a historic cruise which many find is a relaxing and leisurely way to take in the local scenery. Or simply jump in your motorhome and drive up the coast in search of some solitude, where miles of deserted beaches await you.

While the town of Ballina is the major holiday and service centre for the region there many things to do and places to explore.

Connect with Mother Nature

The countryside to the west of Ballina was once home to a blanket of pristine rainforests which sadly the timber industry devoured much of. In the 1960s and 70s environmental activists protested and succeeded in having much of the remaining rainforests set aside. These rainforests are now granted special protection from industry exploitation and are preserved for the use and enjoyment future generations.

This controversial history makes the remaining World Heritage protected and National park rainforests an even more special treat. Visitors are encouraged to make use of the scenic camping and picnic grounds which are peppered throughout the Parks. Campervans and RVs are welcome in most of the campgrounds and will provide comfort and convenience during your stay at this spectacular natural wonderland. Bushwalkers are well catered for with a range of hiking trails that vary from short 10 minute strolls to two day adventure hikes.

Arts & Crafts

There are many towns surrounding Ballina which have been shaped by artisans and craftspeople who have brought their skill and way of life to this gorgeous stretch of coast. In nearly every major town you will find excellent art galleries, craft shops and artists' studios. Campervan and RV holiday makers will be richly rewarded by taking a tour of the local art galleries. Many of the artists welcome visitors with open arms. Renowned Aboriginal artist Albert 'Digby' Moran calls the Ballina shire his home and his work is on display in many galleries in surrounding towns. If you have never seen the work of an Aboriginal artist you will be pleasantly surprised by the maturity and depth of his work.

Weekend Markets

The entire region around Ballina was one of the first in Australia to embrace the weekend market culture. It is a venue for local artisans, craftspeople, producers and entertainers to come together in order to showcase their wares to the public. The markets are always a lively and vibrant affair, often with live music contributing to the atmosphere. Street performers often provide free entertainment which means parents and their children will equally enjoy their day at the markets. As many of the towns are within short driving distance you can jump in your RV or motorhome and explore each of the markets in turn.

Regional Cuisine

The fertile countryside to the west of Ballina produces some of Australia's highest quality local produce which attracts many visitors on a culinary tour of the region. The countryside contains lush and rolling hills filled with coffee, tea and macadamia nut plantations. Visitors are encouraged to visit and sample the local produce. A campervan is the perfect way to stock up on local produce before finding a shady spot to have a picnic.

Thanks to its seaside location Ballina also has a fine range of fresh seafood dining establishments. Fish doesn't get any fresher than it does in Ballina. Many of the new arrivals in town are award winning chefs and restaurant owners who have transformed the dining scene into a sophisticated world class experience. 'Eat streets' have sprung up along the beach front esplanades and in country towns where gastronomic enjoyment is their main priority.

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