A small seaside town at the mouth of the Richmond River, Ballina is a holiday and tourist centre offering stretches of surfing beach, facilities for aquatic sports, and ocean and river fishing.
Richmond - Tweed
As close to paradise as any place on earth.
Many people believe that the Richmond - Tweed area of New South Wales is as close to paradise as anywhere on Earth. The ocean waters are always warm. The days, even in winter, can be balmy and gloriously sub-tropical. The ambience of the area is one of relaxation and casualness, based on the simple proposition that a region so rich in natural resources allows its residents a certain degree of economic security.
State:
Average summer day temperature:
29.4°C
Average winter day temperature:
20.9°C
Average annual rainfall:
1628.0mm
Average clear days:
105.4
Ballina
Fishing boats in the Ballina Harbour.
Byron Bay
Average summer day temperature: 27.4°C
Average winter day temperature: 19.4°C
Average annual rainfall: 1745.9mm
Average clear days: 108.5
Once a sleepy coastal resort town, Byron Bay has come to symbolise the changes which have occurred across the entire Richmond-Tweed district.
In the 1970s, people seeking a lifestyle far removed from the rush and urgency of the large cities saw 'Byron', as it is called, as an ideal retreat. Slowly this alternative lifestyle ambience changed as the town became a get-away-from-it-all retreat.
Byron Bay is a town that can be compared with the Californian coastal towns of Carmel and Monterey.
Casino
Average summer day temperature: 31.3°C
Average winter day temperature: 21.1°C
Average annual rainfall: 1104.2mm
Average clear days: 87.6
30km west of Lismore, Casino is on the Richmond River.
The Dryaaba Station homestead and adjoining buildings, 20km north west of Casino, have been classified by the National Trust for preservation as part of the cultural heritage.
Lismore
Average summer day temperature: 29.8°C
Average winter day temperature: 19.9°C
Average annual rainfall: 1350.6mm
Average clear days: 108.9
Lismore is the largest city in the Northern region of NSW. It is situated in the Richmond Valley around 800km north of Sydney and slightly inland from the coastal towns of Ballina and Byron Bay. The fertile area surrounding Lismore is renowned for it's dairy farming, but the coastal strip is a popular tourist destination.
There are extensive rainforests located in the Lismore area, and there is even a rainforest walk located in the city.
Nightcap National Park, Lismore.
Murwillumbah
Average summer day temperature: 29.4°C
Average winter day temperature: 20.9°C
Average annual rainfall: 1628.0mm
Average clear days: 105.4
Murwillumbah is situated within the McPherson Ranges on the Tweed River in the far northern coastal region of NSW. Rain forest areas and sugar cane plantations surround the town that sits in the shadow of beautiful Mt Warning.
The creative local community produce a wide variety of good things to buy from their shops, galleries and markets. The locals in Murwillumbah are genuine and friendly.
Touring by car, Murwillumbah.
Tweed Heads
Average annual rainfall: 1722.0mm
Tweed Heads is the northern most city in New South Wales. It is located on the coast and adjoins the Queensland Gold Coast suburb of Coolangatta. Tourism is the main industry and there are facilities such as clubs, high rise apartments and beachfront resorts, to cater for everyone's needs.
Sugar cane, bananas, and dairy cattle are grown in the Tweed Valley around Murwillumbah. There are several national parks and stunning rain forests in the area. The beautiful McPherson Mountain Range and the mystical Mt Warning, form a glorious visual backdrop to the Tweed Valley.
Bridge over the Tweed River.