Newcastle to Byron Bay road trip: Distance, drive time & best stops
Newcastle to Byron Bay road trip attractions: Evans Head and Ballina
It’s another 127km from Yamba to Byron Bay. Once north of the Clarence River, Bundjalung National Park covers the gap between the coast and the highway.
You can go kayaking along the Esk and Evans rivers, or walking along one of the park’s trails. The ten minute walk to the Iluka Bluff Lookout is a winner for a photo stop, while the
the 6km Jerusalem Creek Peninsula track from the Black Rocks campground is a more serious leg stretch.
At Woodburn, there’s the turn off for gorgeous beach town Evans Head. Here, you can learn about the area’s massive World War II training base at the Evans Head Heritage Aviation Museum.
Ballina attractions
The main attraction, however, is the 30km-long beach stretching up towards the Richmond River in Ballina. It’s known by different names in different sections, but go enjoy Airforce Beach, Evans Head Beach, Broadwater Beach or Patches Beach.
The Burns Point ferry can take you over the river into Ballina, one of the biggest towns in the region.
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.
Things to do in Ballina include private surf lessons and half day walking tours along the coast.
For Ballina accommodation, try the Ramada Hotel and Suites by the river, historic Ballina Heritage Inn and the personable Ballina Palms Boutique Motel.
Click through to the next section: Killen Falls and Byron Bay.