Ballina to Nimbin – Coast to Country Explorer
Ballina to Lismore
Head for the hills and discover the region's cultural heart, stunning waterfalls, pristine rainforest and creative communities that call the Northern Rivers home.
Set off from the Ballina Visitor Information Centre on a road trip to Lismore, Nimbin and surrounding villages, revealing the regions hidden gems and natural environments like nowhere else.
Head west on River Street, stopping to take a selfie with the iconic Big Prawn, before continuing along the Bruxner Highway for 30 minutes to the City of Lismore.
City of Lismore
Lismore’s town centre is as vibrant as its community, an eclectic mix of creatives, with a love for the arts, performance and music.
Offering some of the best coffee shops and cafes in the region, along with diverse art galleries and eclectic retail stores, it’s a great place to explore. Park your car at Harold Fredericks Carpark, offering free all-day parking alongside the Lismore Regional Gallery, The Quad – Lismore’s Creative Playground, Lismore City Library and Conservatorium of Music.
Then wander the city centre block (Keen, Woodlark, Molesworth and Magellan Streets), discovering all the fabulous shops, cafes and art galleries along the way. Have your photo taken under the Lismore ‘You are Here’ heart on Carrington Street, the gateway to Lismore’s Back Alley Gallery, the street art gallery features local and international artists.
After a shopping spree and something to eat and drink, head towards the village of Modanville and Dunoon via Dunoon Road. With views looking back over Lismore, this picturesque drive meanders through lush farmland, past macadamia plantations and stone fruit orchards.
Modanville is home to Annie’s Country Bakery – a great place to stop for a coffee, a drink or to enjoy their daily baked goods, fresh baked pies or made to order Vietnamese Banh Mis.
Continuing along Dunoon Road, turn left onto The Channon Road towards The Channon village, enjoying this short but spectacular drive along the way.
THE CHANNON
The Channon is a quaint village nestled in the foothills of the Nightcap Ranges, renowned for the regions signature market, the Channon Craft Market that comes alive with up to 250 stalls on the second Sunday of each month.
A visit to the Channon Tavern in the Old Butter Factory is also recommended. Located alongside Terania Creek, it’s a great place to relax with locals and visitors over a great bistro meal or to enjoy live music on Sunday’s.
Walks, Rainforests & Waterfalls
The 15 km drive along Terania Creek Road towards Protestors Falls in the World Heritage-listed Nightcap National Park is a must.
The Terania Creek picnic area is a hidden gem and well worth the visit, with good facilities, a gorgeous creek and access to walking tracks and waterfalls, it’s perfect for a family picnic.
Protestors Falls walking track leads through magnificent rainforest to a stunning waterfall, a 1.4km return walk. The falls are named after the protesters whose anti-logging campaign in the late 1970s led to the declaration of the National Park in 1983 and generated worldwide awareness of the need to preserve our natural environments.
From Protestors Falls, backtrack to The Channon, then head towards Nimbin on Tuntable Creek Road for 18kms. This is a winding but very beautiful road that leads up through the hills and down into the valley to the village of Nimbin.
Another option on the way to Nimbin is to discover the magic of Mt Nardi, just a short drive off Tuntable Falls Road along Newton Drive into the National Park (approx. 7km) arrive at the parking and picnic area. The scenic walks here offer breath-taking views, ancient Gondwana vegetation, and the chance to spot unique wildlife.
The walks at Mt Nardi can be a little more adventurous, there are formed paths, but there are occasional obstacles, so some bushwalking experience is recommended. The Mount Matheson Loop offers a moderate 3km loop, Pholis Gap offers spectacular views and a moderate 4km return walk.
For the more serious hikers plan to return and walk the Historic Nightcap Walking Track, this 18km one-way walk leads through the heart of the national park, offering scenic views and ends in the Whian Whian State Conservation Area. Learn more about this historic walk and its significance here.
Nimbin
Immerse yourself in alternative therapies, engage in sustainability workshops, have your tarot read, explore local art and produce, or simply people-watch while sitting at a cafe on the bustling main street.
Nimbin is the birthplace of the Aquarius movement and the alternate lifestyle capital of Australia. As well as offering an array of cafés serving local coffee, spicy chai brews and delicious, vegetarian and healthy food options catering for all dietary needs, the shopping is varied with many offering environmentally sustainable options, or locally made health and wellbeing products that are locally grown and made.
Nimbin is also home to the H.E.M.P Embassy, Nimbin Environment Centre, Nimbin Sustainable Living Hub, Nimbin Artists Gallery, Djanbung Permaculture Gardens and the Nimbin Candle Factory.
Before setting off, stretch your legs, admire the local beauty and learn about the story of Nimbin along the Nimbin Rainbow Walk, it’s just a short walk from the village.
If you’re visiting over the weekend, the Nimbin Community Markets are held on the 4th & 5th Sundays of the month at Nimbin Community Centre, 8am-3pm.
The Nimbin Farmers Market is held every Wednesday from 3pm-6pm in the carpark alongside the Green Bank in Cullen Street.
Nimbin also offers a number of affordable places to stay, should you wish to enjoy more of the area. See Grey Gum Lodge, Flourish Sanctuary or award winning Contained in Nimbin for an escape like no other.
To complete your Coast to Country Explorer, follow Nimbin Road towards Lismore, passing Nimbin Rocks, an awe-inspiring landmark and place of great cultural significance to the local Indigenous people.
Returning to Lismore after a busy and active day, enjoy a soak at Bathe Spa Lismore, or grab something to eat and drink before heading east on the Bruxner Highway for your safe return to Ballina.
