About Ballina
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Located at the mouth of the Richmond River, Ballina today relies on fishing, boat building, agriculture and tourism for its prosperity.
More recently, a new venture has commenced that provides a method of capturing power in heavy vehicles and storing that power, thus reducing fuel costs by up to 37%. PermoDrive
Technologies Ltd is a unique local success story. |
The History
The rapidly increasing demand for furniture in the growing middle classes of Victorian England was one of the prime causes of the development of the town of Ballina! The Richmond Valley
had become the main source of the prized 'red gold' of cedar, and although the colonials used it for building and joinery work, by the middle of the nineteenth century most of those
magnificent trees found themselves sailing half way around the globe to feed the Empire's needs.
The Richmond River was discovered in 1828 by Captain Henry Rous, in the HMS "Rainbow", and was named after the fifth Duke of Richmond. Early settlers travelled upstream to
Broadwater, but the cedar-getters first came across the country from the Clarence River. As word spread, another party of cedar-getters and their families arrived in 1842 on the
"Sally", and a camp was established at what is now East Ballina, because of the high ground and good water supply.
The settlement was first known as Deptford, but as it grew an Aboriginal word 'bullenah' which meant 'place where oysters are plentiful' became the town's name. With a town in Ireland
named also named Ballina, the similar pronunciation meant that the indigenous link was all but lost through the change in spelling. However an appreciation of the area's seafood certainly
remains, with strong fishing industries and seafood featuring strongly in the regional cuisine. The Big Prawn tourist attraction is one of the more whimsical expressions of the continuing
importance of the sea to the town.
Ballina Today
Although Ballina is now a booming town of almost 20,000 people enjoying the lifestyle and services available, prior to white settlement just over 160 years ago, there had been a
continuous settlement of the region by coastal Aboriginal tribes for millennia. With the abundant food and sub-tropical climate, the tribes had the time to develop a rich cultural life, and
middens at Chickiba Creek areas of East Ballina show at least 2,000 years of more or less continual occupation in that spot alone.
Numerous sporting amenities and attractions include
the amazing and interesting Ballina Naval & Maritime Museum, while nearby are Thursday Plantation and Macadamia Castle at Knockrow.
15 minutes drive north at Lennox Head, Lake
Ainsworth is a popular freshwater recreation area, and the coastal heathlands of Broadwater National Park to the south are about 25 minutes drive by car. Nick-named the "Coca-Cola
Lake" due to the colouration from the surrounding Tea Trees, said to be therapeutic for minor cuts and abrasions as well as for minor sunburn.
Climate
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The climate and the stunning coastal scenery are still major factors bringing people to Ballina. Climate is Mild sub-tropical, cooled by ocean breezes.
Average Temperature in
Summer is 28 degrees C (82 degrees F) and in Winter, 21 degrees C (70 degrees F).
Coastline
32 magnificent kilometres, with many fine flagged surf beaches |
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Ballina, NSW Current Local Time & Temperature
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Waterways
Ballina is surrounded by water. Central Ballina itself is an island, nestling between the twin arms of the Richmond River and North Creek. The Richmond meets the South Pacific at Ballina.
There is water, water everywhere - which explains why swimming, fishing, surfing and boating are such popular pastimes. And let's not forget whale-watching and dolphin-spotting!
The Hinterland
The surrounding districts are green and lush and very scenic. Close by are the towns of Lismore, Nimbin and Byron Bay, as well as many smaller villages and peaceful rural vistas. There are a
number of large national parks in the area.
Jet Airport
Ballina is serviced by Jetstar, Virgin Blue and Regional Express. There are regular air services from Sydney. Taxi services connect to the town - it's about an 8 minute
(6 kms) ride from the airport
to Leisure-Lee.
Jetstar has direct flights to Melbourne.
For more details of travelling and where we are, click on the "Finding
Us (maps)" button, top left
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