Ballina to Tweed Heads drive: Road trip stops, distance & time
The Ballina to Tweed Heads drive is 88km in distance, with a driving time of 57 minutes. Good road trip stops to add to the itinerary – aside from the obvious Byron Bay – include Killen Falls, Lennox Head and Cabarita Beach.
The drive from Ballina to Tweed Heads takes you from one of the hubs of the Northern Rivers region to the Queensland border. It goes past one of the most attractive towns in New South Wales, Byron Bay.
It’s not a long drive, and there are plenty of good road trip stops along the way to add to the itinerary.
Ballina to Tweed Heads distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Ballina to Tweed Heads is 88km. That makes for a driving time of around 57 minutes.
5 Ballina experiences to book in advance
- Go on a dolphin watching cruise – sightings are very reliable.
- Take a guided coastal walk – learning about the natural environment on the way.
- Clink glasses as the sun goes down – on a Richmond River sunset cruise.
- Take a cruise to the Julian Rocks Marine Reserve – with a marine biologist pointing out the dolphins, turtles and dramatic cliffs.
- Learn to surf – on a private surfing lesson.
Where to stay in Ballina
The top Ballina accommodation options are:
- For charm and personality: Ballina Manor Boutique Hotel.
- For a holiday park with family-sized cabins and lots kid-friendly facilities: Discovery Parks Ballina.
- For a relatively cheap, good quality motel: Almare Tourist Motel.
- For riverside location: Ramada Hotel and Suites.
Most visitors will end up splitting this journey into two however, starting with the drive from Ballina to Byron Bay.
Ballina to Tweed Heads road trip: Killen Falls and Lennox Head
On this section, there are two worthwhile attractions just north of Tintenbar. Killen Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country and kid-friendly Macadamia Castle has a little wildlife park.
There are several detours to surf spots along the coast that may be of interest. Lennox Head, Whites Beach, Kings Beach, the Broken Head Reserve and Arakwal National Park are all lovely.
Next up: Byron Bay attractions.