Ballina
Ballina is a fishing and resort township situated at the mouth of the Richmond River which is blessed with vast stretches of pristine coast line to both its north and south. It's only a 25 minute drive south of Bryon Bay and is popular with visitors looking for a laid back family holiday destination.
The presence of the river makes this a particularly beautiful setting for a seaside town. Early settlers have made an indelible mark and have shaped the area into a vibrant and friendly town which is proud of its heritage. Campervan rental holidays are an ideal choice when visiting Ballina as the weather is pleasant all year round and there are a wide range of things to do and see. The town boasts a range of shopping malls, cafes & restaurants, cinemas and miles of bike paths.
Holiday makers in the area are well catered for with a range of fun holiday entertainment and activities for kids, adventure tours for the bigger kids, as well as providing a range of beautiful destinations for simply taking a scenic stroll through one of the many the gorgeous national parks. There are dozens of caravan parks in the area which will happily accomodate motorhome hire holiday makers.
The town of Ballina is the major holiday and service centre for the region and makes an ideal launch pad for exploration of the hinterland and surrounding coastal areas in one of our campervan rentals. There are several other notable townships that should be on your list of places to visit. These include Lennox Head to the north, Alstonville to the west and Evans Head to the south.
Lennox Head
This seaside village is a short 10 minute drive north from Ballina. It has been steadily growing in population which isn't surprising given the relaxed village atmosphere with its great collection of restaurants, alfresco cafes and shops. At the headland, known as Lennox Point, there is a lookout which offers spectacular views of the town and of Seven Mile Beach which stretches north up the coast towards Broken Head and on to Byron. If you are a fan of deserted beaches then you will love the solitude offered by this stretch of coast. Simply jump in your campervan rental and drive up the coast and go exploring.
The town has developed something of a reputation for the perfect conditions for windsurfing and kite sailing. Hang-gliders are also drawn to the headland to launch off the 65m high cliff face. Surfers are drawn to Lennox Point for the famous right hand break. All year round weather conditions are perfectly suited to a variety of water based recreation from swimming to snorkelling. The reef which sits just offshore is prized by snorkelers and scuba divers alike.
Lennox Head was originally popular as a holiday settlement in the 20s because of the presence of Lake Ainsworth only 50 meters from the beach. This provided a safe swimming and recreation area for families. Today this is still true however the range of attractions has increased significantly to include surfing, sail boarding, kite sailing and hang gliding. While you will find a range of caravan parks willing to accomodate motorhome rental travellers in Lennox Head it is worth staying in Ballina to stay close to the action.
Alstonville
This charming village is set amongst the lush, fertile hills on the plateau west of Ballina. The town is central to many of the surrounding farms, orchards and nurseries and was established over a hundred years ago by the early cedar cutters when a vast rainforest once blanketed the region. Visitors can go to Victoria Park Nature Reserve which is one of the last remnants of the 'Big Scrub' rainforest.
The town is perfect for anyone searching for cultural tidbits and keepsakes, with its historic buildings, Australian architecture, galleries and antique shops and plenty of opportunities to sit and relax at the cafes and tea houses. Take a tour of the surrounding areas in one of our campervan rentals and you will be rewarded with the sight of gorgeous scenic landscapes and with lush, rolling, fertile hills.
Nearby you will also find the 9 hole Teven Golf Course set at the base of the softly undulating green hills. Play a round of golf or simply stop for a picnic by the creek enjoying the shade of the rainforest remnants. At the junction where Maguires Creek meets Emigrant Creek at 'Double Bridges' you will find a highly prized local perch fishing spot. If you are on a family holiday with the kids then stop your campervan rental at the Big Prawn on your way back to Ballina.
Evans Head
This laid back fishing village to the south of Ballina is considered to be the "Jewel in the Crown " of the Richmond Valley region and is blessed with long stretches of white sandy beaches, outstanding fishing conditions and a legendary surf break. The township is set on a picture perfect part of the coast line and sits nestled between two National Parks.
The Broadwater National Park to the north is a relatively small patch of heath and wetland preserve covering roughly 4,000 hectares and stretches for 8km of beach frontage. It comes to life in spring when it explodes in a sea of colourful wildflowers which attracts a wide range of bird species.
The Bundjalung National Park is a much larger park covering 17,000 ha and 38km of beach. It is popular with nature lovers, provides 4wd access to the beach and has a stunning range of bushwalking tracks.
