Water stories & SOUNDTRAIL
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Be guided by Uncle Ricky Cook, Nyangbal Elder, along the Water Stories walk. The walk takes you along the north break wall, around Shaws Bay, and onto Fawcett Park. You read and hear stories of how water, or guung in the Nyangbal language, shaped Country, as well as the way of life of Aboriginal families and Ballina’s earliest settlers. About Water Stories You can enjoy Water Stories in two ways. Take the signposted Water Stories Walk between Fawcett Park at Ballina town centre and the Marine Rescue Tower on North Wall, East Ballina (4.5 km one way). You can also experience the walk by listening to the Water Stories Soundtrail. Just scan the QR code on the signs to hear the Soundtrail, which will take you on a shorter walk that starts at the Marine Rescue Tower and ends at the Pioneer Memorial Park (1.4 km one way).
SCAN TO DOWNLOAD THE SOUNDTRAIL APP
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Shaws Bay Loop A gentle, scenic walk circling one of the picturesque tidal bay. Think tranquil waters, pelicans gliding by, and golden hour views worth pausing for. There are plenty of places to start this walk Brighton St, Marine Rescue Tower, Pop Denison Park or Compton Dr.
OF BALLINA SHIRE
walking & riding paths
Aboriginal Cultural Ways The Aboriginal Cultural Ways experience is an invitation from the Shire’s Aboriginal community to gain a deeper understanding of Country at East Ballina. The shared path passes near sites and story places that have great significance to local communities. Learn about this area, Aboriginal culture, and historic interactions between Aboriginal families and the earliest settlers, through the shared stories and memories of local knowledge holders. ACCESSING THE PATH BALLINA VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE 6 River Street Ballina NSW 2478 1800 777 666
discoverballina
Retrace the training grounds of a former Olympian race walker and take your winning podium photo at the foreshore near the Ballina War Memorial Pool. Kerry Saxby held the 5km race walking world record for almost two decades, setting a staggering speed of 20 minutes and three seconds in 1996.
An easy boardwalk stroll with river and bridge views. This is a relaxing stroll and a great spot to wet the fishing line. It’s magical at sunset when the sun dips behind the historic lift span bridge.
Reconciliation Tunnel
Ballina Lighthouse
LOCATED BRIDGE STREET
Exercise
North Wall Walk With Shaws Bay on one side and the Richmond River on the other, this easy walk showcases some of Ballina’s most beautiful views. For the full route, start at Brighton Street. For a shorter stroll, park at the Coast Guard tower and walk to the end of the wall.
The tunnels murals share sacred Bundjalung stories, depicting the Three Brothers—Yarbirri, Mamoon and Burrung—ancestral founders of the Nation. This area holds deep spiritual significance for the traditional custodians of Bullinah, echoing the Dreaming and rich cultural history.
Also known as Ballina Head Light, this charming, active lighthouse sits atop Ballina Head, guiding vessels at the mouth of the Richmond River. It’s a picturesque picnic spot with sweeping views over Lighthouse and Shelly Beaches.
LOCATED HARBOURVIEW STREET
THE COASTAL RECREATIONAL PATH RUNS ALONG THE BALLINA SHIRE COASTLINE FROM BALLINA TO LENNOX HEADLAND.
Headlands & Lookouts
Burns Point Ferry
Great spots between Ballina and Lennox Head include Ballina Headland, Boulder Beach, and Pat Morton. In whale season, they are perfect for spotting majestic humpbacks. Off-season? Still unbeatable for sunrises & sunsets and ocean views.
Sharpes Beach to Pat Morton
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This scenic coastal trail traces a high ridge along Ballina’s coastline, offering stunning ocean views. Start from either Pat Morton Lookout or Sharpes Beach—both directions are equally rewarding. Pack a picnic and pause under a pandanus tree. It’s a perfect walk year-round, especially during whale season.
The Burns Point Ferry is a vehicular cable ferry that crosses the Richmond River. The crossing is 300m in length and takes approximately four minutes. Take the bike across the ferry and explore the south side. LOCATED BURNS POINT FERRY ROAD
your dog
Get out and about with the whole family and enjoy walking your four-legged friend. Dogs must be on a lead at all times in public places, unless in one of our seven off-leash areas. DOG FRIENDLY BEACHES (off leash)
1. THE SPIT, BALLINA 2. SEVEN MILE BEACH, LENNOX HEAD (north of surf club)
OFF LEASH EXERCISE AREAS
3. BICENTENNIAL GARDENS, BALLINA 4. COMPTON DRIVE, EAST BALLINA 5. GAP ROAD, ALSTONVILLE 6. BALLINA HEIGHTS EASTERN RESERVE 7. HEADLANDS DRIVE DRAINAGE RESERVE, SKENNARS HEAD
Please be considerate of other users of these areas. Your dog must always be under effective control.
And don’t forget...
Bag the poo, bin it or take it with you.
LOCATED SOUTHERN END OF BEACHFRONT PARADE
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SOUVENIRS | MAPS | LOCAL ADVICE
Wardell Boardwalk
LOCATED BEHIND THE BALLINA VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE
Proudly funded by the NSW Government.
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Kerry Saxby
Alstonville Heritage Walk
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Alstonville’s heritage trail features 17 historic sites from the 1890s–1900s, including Crawford House, the Old Butter Factory, parks, the Courthouse, and Paddy Bugden Memorial – celebrating the buildings and stories that shaped the town’s unique character and rich history.
The path
is there to share
Shared paths are for both people walking and bike riders.
Bird Watching
Hungry for more?
The coastline offers fantastic opportunities to observe seabirds. Ospreys can often be seen nesting on Missingham Bridge. Sooty and Pied Oystercatchers, Whimbrels, Ruddy Turnstones and Crested Terns are common around coastal spots like Flat Rock and Shelly Beach.
Fuel up before you set off with a tasty bite or caffeine hit in Ballina, take a break at a coastal East Ballina cafe along the way, or reward yourself to a well-earned drink and bite to eat in the heart of Lennox when you finish.
General etiquette:
Keep left unless overtaking Bike riders should ring their bell, slow down and give way to walkers Keep dogs on short leashes Move off the path if stopped Listen for the sound of a bell and avoid moving into the path of a bike Supervise young children at all times
SHOPPING PRECINCT
POLICE
INFORMATION CENTRE
AIRPORT
TAXI RANK
PLAY EQUIPMENT
FERRY
UNDERPASS
BUS TERMINAL
OVERPASS
PUBLIC TOILETS
SHARED PATH
PICNIC TABLE
WALKING ONLY PATH
LOOKOUT
ON-ROAD SECTION
HOSPITAL
DOG OFF LEASH EXERCISE AREA
LAKE AINSWORTH
SEVEN MILE BEACH
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BOULDER BEACH
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ABORIGINAL CULTURAL WAYS – 2.5KM This path from Angels Beach to Sharpes Beach crosses Country of deep significance to the Nyangbal people. Local knowledge holders have shared stories and memories through interpretive signs along the way.
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BALLINA CBD TO FERRY – 4KM From the riverfront in Grant Street (RSL) follow the shared path across Fishery Bridge through West Ballina to the Burns Point Ferry. A mostly flat path through town, past West Ballina shops and the Big Prawn.
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SHARPES BEACH TO PAT MORTON LOOKOUT – 3KM Follow the Coastal Recreation Path from the northern end of Sharpes Beach to Pat Morton Lookout. See stunning ocean views plus a continuation of art installations along the Aboriginal Cultural Ways.
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BALLINA TO CUMBALUM – 5KM Take the shared path from Ballina Central (Bangalow Road), across the Canal Bridge. Along the path, the industrial area gives way to rural views, finishing with a steep ascent to Cumbalum.
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LENNOX HEAD TO PAT MORTON LOOKOUT – 1.2KM Join the path off Rutherford Street to follow the coastline and take the gradual, but rewarding, ascent to Pat Morton.
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WATER STORIES AND SOUNDTRAIL WALK – 4.5KM Follow the signs between the Marine Rescue Tower and the Ballina RSL to learn about the importance of the river to generations of Nyangbal families, the early settlers and the Ballina community today. You can enhance the walk by listening to the accompanying Water Stories Soundtrail between the Marine Rescue Tower and ends at the Pioneer Memorial Park.
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ALSTONVILLE HERITAGE WALK – 0.8KM Leaving from Crawford House Museum, the walk takes you through the streets of Alstonville village where you see parks, churches and other buildings of historic importance.
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ALSTONVILLE TO WOLLONGBAR VILLAGE LINK – 1.4KM Walk up the leafy path from Bulwinkel Park at Alstonville to Wollongbar to see rich rural views. Gradual slopes with an underpass to Wollongbar.
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ANGELS BEACH TO LENNOX HEAD – 7.8KM From the Coastal Recreation Path at Angels Beach, cross the shared path bridge to The Terrace. Ride this on-road section then re-join the shared path on the western side of The Coast Road. Steep sections.
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LIGHTHOUSE BEACH TO PAT MORTON LOOKOUT – 8.1KM Start on the shared path near the North Wall and follow the coastal path to Pat Morton Lookout. See views of beaches and dunal areas. A few steep sections.
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ALSTONVILLE
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SHAWS BAY LOOP – 3.1KM Enjoy the walk along North Wall and around Shaws Bay, which includes a boardwalk through mangroves and saltmarsh.
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BALLINA LOOP – 11.5KM Predominately an off-road shared path with flat terrain. See river, lake and beach views.
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COASTAL RECREATION PATH – 11.5KM Beginning in the heart of Ballina follow the coast-hugging pathway to Lennox Head. Take in the riverbank, beaches and headlands – or pick a scenic section to suit your pace.
DISCLAIMER © NSW Spatial Services 2021. Although all care is taken in the preparation of this plan, Ballina Shire Council accepts no responsibility for any misprints, errors, omissions or inaccuracies. The information contained within this plan is for pictorial representation only. Do not scale. Accurate measurements should be undertaken by survey. Version October 2025.