Canberra to Ballina road trip: Best stops, distance & drive time
Best stops on the Canberra to Ballina drive: Yamba to Ballina
After the Coffs Harbour to Yamba section of the road trip, Bundjalung National Park is worth a look. For a photo stop, try the Iluka Bluff Lookout. For something more involving, opt for the 6km Jerusalem Creek Peninsula track from the Black Rocks campground.
At Woodburn, there’s a possible branch-off to Evans Head and Broadwater National Park.
Here, Evans Head Heritage Aviation Museum tells the tale of the town’s huge WWII pilot training base. But the real highlight is the stunning 30km beach that stretches to the north. Accommodation is available at the Evans Head caravan park.
The Pacific Highway, however, runs just west of Ballina. This is one of the major towns in the Northern Rivers region. Ballina activities include private surfing lessons and half day coastal walking tours.
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.
More Canberra travel
Take a Lake Burley-Griffin cruise.
What’s worth seeing on the Mittagong to Canberra drive?
Stay at the Alivio Tourist Park.
Where to stop on a Canberra to Brisbane road trip.
What are the best places to stay on a Canberra to Coffs Harbour road trip?