Your Eight Day Itinerary with Ballina Byron Tours
Wednesday Day 1
Today is the first day of your holiday and you can check in any time after lunch. The bar opens at 4pm and at 6.00pm your evening meal is served.
Our staff will be on hand to answer any questions and assist you as you become acquainted with your fellow travelers. For quests arriving late, a plate of mixed sandwiches and fruit will be served in your room.
Thursday Day 2
We take today at a leisurely pace, exploring Ballina and nearby attractions. We begin with a visit to the BALLINA TOURIST BUREAU and the NAVEL AND MARITIME MUSEUM,($4.00 entry donation), then on to Shaws Bay for morning tea at the beach. From there we take a scenic drive along the local beaches including a visit to LENNOX HEAD and the therapeutic red lake at its heart.
We return to Ballina around midday for a complimentary lunch served at the SLIPWAY HOTEL situated in the central shopping area. You will have time after lunch to explore the town in more depth, then it’s a short drive to THURSDAY PLANTATION, known world wide for its many therapeutic products. There are beautiful gardens to explore here too and a stroll through the rainforest is a lovely way to end the day.
Friday Day 3
Today we travel to the heart of the great Caldera that defines the scenery of the North Coast. We begin with a drive along the plateau through the local Macadamia plantations with stunning views of the coastal region, and on to the old town of MURWILLUMBAH. Here we stop for a visit at the RAINFOREST CENTRE in this World Heritage area, and the morning tea beside the lovely Tweed River.
TWEED HEADS is our next destination where we stop first at POINT DANGER with its beautiful views and historic monuments then back to town where you can spend some time exploring the nearby shops and beaches. In the afternoon we return to Ballina via the Tweed Coast Way visiting such places as KINGSCLIFF, HASTINGS POINT and BRUNSWICK HEADS.
Saturday Day 4
Staying on the scenic country roads we travel through WARDELL and BAGOTVILLE and stop for morning tea besides the Richmond River. We then travel over the flood plains to LISMORE, the largest town in the region. We have time to explore this old town before we drive through the gorgeous Rainbow Valley to NIMBIN.
After exploring this tiny and colourful village we continue our country roads drive through the CHANNON and DUNOON with a stop at the historic ELTHAM VILLAGE before we return to the Motel for our nightly dinner and entertainment.
Sunday Day 5
Today is a free day so you can spend it doing whatever you please. A few suggestions are a WHALE WATCHING cruise (in season) or a visit to the LOCAL MARKETS.
The bus will depart at 9.30am to transfer you to the river cruise, and return at 1.15pm to your motel from the Slipway Enjoy!
Monday Day 6
The NEWRYBAR plateau region is our first destination today where we visit the BROKEN HEAD COFFEE PLANTATION. Our host Nev demonstrates the process of coffee making from harvest to cup. From there we travel to the pretty heritage village of BANGALOW where we have morning tea then on to the day’s main attraction, BYRON BAY.
Our first stop is the LIGHTHOUSE situated on the most easterly point of mainland Australia with its’ stunning scenery and marine life ( perfect in whale season). From there we drive to the town itself where you will have time to explore the many local shops and attractions. One option for lunch is the BYRON BAY RSL with its’ wonderful photo display of the way Byron used to be. In the afternoon we visit MACADAMIA CASTLE before returning to the Motel.
Tuesday Day 7
The day begins with a visit to a local antique and nursery establishment before we travel to ALSTONVILLE, (home of the Tibouchina). Then to the day’s main attraction, SUMMERLAND HOUSE WITH NO STEPS.
We are given a personal tour of the establishment and an insight into the sense of belonging this charity provides to many members of the local and greater community.
After lunch in the restaurant, we return once again to the coast with a visit to EVANS HEAD and the scenic lookout. We stop at the EVANS HEAD AVIATION HERITAGE MUSEUM, ($7.50 entry fee & private tour) with its centrepiece an F-111.
Wednesday Day 8
Departure day has come and as you say goodbye to your fellow travelers we sincerely hope you enjoyed your stay with us. We hope your return journey is a safe one and that you take some wonderful memories and stories away with you. Come and see us all again one day soon. Checkout time is 10.00am, but you are more than welcome to stay on the premises until you are ready to depart.
Extra days are available on request.