ALSTONVILLE

from What's On – The Visitor Guide 2023 / Byron Bay

by Paramount Publication House

EVANS HEAD & WOODBURN

Alstonville is a charming village set amongst the fertile, green rolling hills on the plateau West of Ballina.

DID YOU KNOW?

By 1883 Alstonville boasted 2 pubs, 6 stores, 2 black-smiths, 9 sugar mills, and 4 saw mills.

Alstonville is known for their rich volcanic red soil perfect for growing avocados, macadamia nuts, tropical fruits and coffee. The historic buildings have all the charm of yesteryear, housing a number of art and antique galleries, an historical museum and places to relax and enjoy the locally grown coffee. Originally known as Duck Creek Mountain, the village of Alstonville is central to many farms, orchards and nurseries and is famous for its Tibouchina trees which line the streets and add a vibrant green and mauve colour throughout the village when flowering. A must visit is the Summerland House Farm. Call into The Federal Hotel for that cold beer on a hot day and meet the locals.

Ballina is located about a 30-minute drive south of Byron Bay. The Ballina Byron Gateway Airport is located here and regular jet services are provided to Sydney and Melbourne. The Ballina area was first home to the wider Bundjalung Nation and was a meeting place for the Bundjalung people. The Bundjalung people in the area were treated to a smorgasbord of seafood and bush tucker. The remnants of elaborate fish traps still exist on North Creek. These traps consisted of rock walls surrounding small pools, fish would become trapped as the tide began to ebb. The beaches of Ballina are magnificent surfing beaches. Lighthouse Beach and Shelley Beach are easily accessed. Entry to South Ballina beach is accessed via the car ferry and offers outstanding surfing and beach fishing. Ballina’s etymology is not entirely certain. One view holds that it is a corruption of a clan name for the Bullina band of the Arakwal. It has been argued that in this tribe’s Bundjalung language, bullinah meant “place of many oysters”. This theory argues that the Aboriginal name reminded the predominantly Irish settlers of “Ballina”, so the name’s origin could be an accident.

A Day In Ballina

PLAY - REFURBISHED BALLINA POOL & WATERSLIDE - Ballina

Swimming Pool & Water Slide is located in the Ballina CBD next to the Richmond River. The pools can be used for swimming lessons, children’s play, lap swimming and rehabilitation or just for fun.

EAT & DRINK - BALLINA RSL - Ballina RSL Club offers uninterrupted views of the majestic Richmond River and is proudly recognised as the premier family and community club in the Northern Rivers. Our stunning contemporary interiors are stylish and chic yet inviting, relaxing and comfortable.

Visitor Information Centre

6 River Street, Ballina, NSW https://www.discoverballina.com.au/

BALLINA’S BIG PRAWN

Ballina is home to the world’s largest prawn (made of concrete and fibreglass). On 24 September 2009, Ballina Shire Council voted to allow the demolition of the Big Prawn, but this permission was never acted upon. Bunnings Warehouse purchased the site and refurbished the Prawn as part of the redevelopment. The Prawn now sits on a stand next to the entrance of the Bunnings warehouse car park. Ballina’s Big Prawn is another of Australia’s iconic big things. Built in 1989, the Big Prawn has undergone a makeover and was reopened in July 2013. It now has a tail!