What is the population of Ballina, New South Wales?
The population of Ballina – gateway to Byron Bay in northern New South Wales – is 26,625. Things to do in Ballina include the Big Prawn and the Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum.
Along with Lismore and Grafton, Ballina is one of the major towns of the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales. This is not really an area people visit for the bigger towns, however. The appeal, even for the local Ballina population, is in the beaches, rainforests and national parks.
People coming to the most northern region of New South Wales tend to want to stay in Yamba, Cabarita Beach or Byron Bay. People bypass Ballina as they whizz up the Pacific Highway.
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.
Ballina attractions
It is arguably best known for the Big Prawn, one of Australia’s notorious Big Things. This giant concrete and fibreglass monster guards the entrance to Bunnings Warehouse on River Street.
Aside from the Big Prawn the main attraction in Ballina is probably the Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum. That’s best filed under endearingly enthusiastic rather than tourism gold dust.
Otherwise, Ballina has several really good beaches – it’s just that there are better ones further up the coast.
But Ballina does have another crucial role, however. It is the gateway to the region for anyone who doesn’t fancy the long Sydney to Byron Bay drive. Ballina Airport, five minutes from the town centre, has been opportunistically rebranded as Ballina Byron Gateway Airport. People taking a break in Byron will fly in here. The drive from Ballina to Byron Bay takes about half an hour.
Population of Ballina
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the population of Ballina is 26,625. This is the 2019 figure for the Ballina population, as per the Regional Population Growth report released in March 2020. The figure is for the ‘significant urban area’ population. That’s the measurement that is closest to what most reasonable people would define as a city.
The population of Ballina makes it slightly bigger than Armidale or Goulburn, and slightly smaller than Nelson Bay in Port Stephens. Similar-sized towns in other states include Maryborough in Queensland, Victor Harbor–Goolwa in South Australia, Burnie-Wynyard in Tasmania and Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.
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