South Ballina has a rich Aboriginal and European history and is where Ballina began. From Ballina, take the Burns Point Ferry (operates daily between 5.30am and 12.30am except on Christmas Day). A one-way crossing starts from $7, weekly and monthly passes are available.

Stroll the South Ballina break wall and admire the view back over Ballina Island to the north.

Near the mouth of the Richmond River, Mobbs Bay is a deep indentation in the south bank, protected by the South Ballina break wall. This is a great spot for swimming and bird watching with the reserve containing mangrove, saltmarsh, coastal heath and paperbark swamp with littoral rainforest elements home to many species of birds including the pied oyster catcher. 

Fishing at South Ballina is another popular past time with two boat ramps at Mobbs Bay providing access to the Richmond River. Please note commercial fishing within the reserve is banned.

River Drive, South Ballina is a popular route for cyclists, who enjoy the freedom of cruising along the Richmond River and past the sugar cane all the way down to Wardell.

Our insiders guide will help you explore and enjoy more of South Ballina.

Upstream on the Richmond, is the river village of Wardell. It's a great spot to stop to enjoy fishing off the jetty, or to pick up some local fashion pieces, or for a bite to eat - with legendary pies - from Wardell Pies. The Wardell Pie Shop provides a delicious menu of legendary pies, all your classics along with a few unique flavours, full of filling and buttery, flaky pastry.

If you are travelling through Wardell on route to Tourist Drive 28, make sure you call into this small village with a few independently owned shops, a pub and the flowing Richmond River. 

Wardell has historic timber buildings, including Mayley House (1910). On the edge of the village in Pine Street is the historic Wardell cemetery. The cemetery has numerous interesting headstones, many belonging to the earliest Europeans to settle in the Wardell area. The cemetery's bush setting makes an important contribution to its heritage values.

Tourist drive 28 from Wardell to Alstonville takes in spectacular rural vistas as it rises to the top of the Alstonville Plateau.