This popular holiday resort, famous for its temperate climate was settled in 1846 by cedar cutters and farmers. This town is situated at the mouth of the Richmond River and is located at a distance of 790 kilometers to the north of Sydney. In 1860, gold was found in the riverbed at the entrance. The town is renowned for its fishing activities. The town today has the strength of 100 fishing fleet. The renowned exhibition of Las Balsas Expedition conducted in Ballina museum, tells the story of the 1973 expedition from Ecuador to Australia in three balsa wood rafts each carrying four men. The journey took around 178 days to complete. The Ballina Lighthouse provides a spectacular view of the sea. This lighthouse was built in 1879. 19 kilometers to the south of Ballina, is the Broadwater Sugar Mill which conducts tours during the cane crushing season.
