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Ballina : Australia
Facts in Brief

Ballina is a coastal township set on the Richmond River in the heart of the lush green countryside of Northern New South Wales.

Population:
Approximately 20,000.

Main Industries:
Tourism, fishing, sugar cane, macadamia nuts.

Average Temperature:
Summer 28 degrees C (82 degrees F).
Winter 21 degrees C (70 degrees F).

Coastline:
32 kilometres (20 miles) in Ballina Shire.

Rainfall:
About 1200/1500 mm a year (50/60 inches).

Water Sports:
Surf beaches, tidal lagoons, river and estuary beaches, sailing and power boating, canoeing, etc.

Main Clubs:
Golf club, bowling clubs, surf club, large RSL club on river, rugby league, soccer and rugby union clubs, sailing club, bridge club, senior citizens club, Masons, Apex, Rotary, Lions, Probus.

Restaurants and Eateries:
Numerous eating places. Everything from fast food to several fine dining restaurants. Some great fish and chip shops and outdoor cafes.

Hotels (Pubs):  
One at East Ballina, four in central Ballina and one at West Ballina.

Hospitals & Medical:
District hospital in Ballina with a larger base hospital in Lismore, 30 minutes drive away. Numerous medical doctors and dentists in Ballina plus other specialized therapists.

Accommodation:
A wide range of motels, cabins, camping grounds, holiday flats, bed and breakfast, upmarket hotels and luxury apartments - see Where to Stay

Cinema:
Triple cinema complex at Ballina Fair.

Live Theatre:
Ballina Players Theatre.

Shopping:
Ballina has a lot of retail outlets, including big supermarkets like IGA, Woolworths and Coles. There are also large variety stores (K-Mart, Big W, Target), electrical and furniture stores. 

Schools:
Two public primary schools and two public high schools, plus a number of private primary and high schools. A number of pre-schools.

Churches:
All major churches, including Catholic, Anglican, Uniting, Salvation Army, Presbyterian, Jehovah's Witnesses, and others.

Other Entertainment:
Many kilometres of paved walking and bike tracks, roller skating rink, ten pin bowling, play centre for children, outdoor skateboard park, weekend markets, beach, river and rockwall/headland fishing.

Fresh Seafood:
Two outlets sell fresh seafood direct from trawlers and fishermen.

Swimming Pools:
Olympic size public pool, with waterslide, and an indoor heated pool.

Parks and BBQs:
Numerous around Ballina, many with ocean and river views.

Transport:
Ballina is on the Pacific Highway, about 3 hours south of Brisbane by car. There are numerous bus services from Sydney and Brisbane. See our local bus company Kirklands. There is also an airport at Ballina with jet services from Sydney. There is no rail link to Ballina.

Nearby Towns:
Lennox Head, Lismore, Bangalow, Byron Bay, Wardell, Woodburn, Alstonville. See map.

Historical Notes:
Ballina began near the mouth of the Richmond River in the early 1840s as a work camp for Irish timber cutters seeking the precious Red Cedar (known colloquially as 'Red Gold') that grew along river and creek banks in the area. They called the new settlement Ballina after a town by that name they knew in County Mayo, Ireland. The Aboriginal name for the area was Bullenah and to the new Irish settlers, this sounded similar to Ballina. The first post office was established in 1856, the first school in 1861 and the first bank in 1883. Sugar cane was planted in the 1860s and became a popular local crop. The timber and farming community evolved into a bustling port, servicing a growing amount of coastal shipping as well as river cargo travelling to and from the hinterland. At one time Ballina was the third busiest port in New South Wales.

Internet:
www.ballina.net (of course!)




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