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Coordinates: 28°51′49″S 153°31′58″E / 28.86361°S 153.53278°E / -28.86361; 153.53278
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'''Ballina''' ({{IPAc-en|b|æ|l|ᵻ|n|ə}})<ref>{{cite book |title=[[Macquarie Dictionary]] |edition=4th |year=2005 |location=Melbourne, Australia |publisher=The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd |isbn=1-876429-14-3}}</ref> is a town in the [[Northern Rivers]] region of [[New South Wales]], Australia, and the seat of the [[Ballina Shire]] [[Local government in Australia|local government area]]. It lies {{cvt|740|km}} north of [[Sydney]] and {{cvt|185|km}} south of [[Brisbane]]. Ballina's urban population at the end of 2021 was 46,190.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 Ballina, Census All persons QuickStats {{!}} Australian Bureau of Statistics |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/1003 |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=www.abs.gov.au}}</ref> The town lies on the Richmond River and serves as a gateway to [[Byron Bay]].
'''Ballina''' ({{IPAc-en|b|æ|l|ᵻ|n|ə}})<ref>{{cite book |title=[[Macquarie Dictionary]] |edition=4th |year=2005 |location=Melbourne, Australia |publisher=The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd |isbn=1-876429-14-3}}</ref> is a town in the [[Northern Rivers]] region of [[New South Wales]], Australia, and the seat of the [[Ballina Shire]] [[Local government in Australia|local government area]]. It lies {{cvt|740|km}} north of [[Sydney]] and {{cvt|185|km}} south of [[Brisbane]]. Ballina's urban population at the end of 2021 was 46,190.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 Ballina, Census All persons QuickStats {{!}} Australian Bureau of Statistics |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/1003 |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=www.abs.gov.au}}</ref>
The town lies on the [[Richmond River]] and serves as a gateway to [[Byron Bay]].


==History==
==History==
Ballina is located on the ancestral land of the [[Bundjalung people]], the original inhabitants. Archaeological evidence demonstrates Bundjalung occupation of the region for at least 6000 years.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Council|first=Ballina Shire|date=2007-08-24|title=Aboriginal culture and heritage|url=https://ballina.nsw.gov.au/aboriginal-culture-and-heritage|access-date=2021-07-13|website=Ballina Shire Council|language=en}}</ref> One view suggests that the name Ballina comes from corruption of a clan name for the ''Bullina'' band of the [[Arakwal]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Arakwal (NSW)|url=https://www.samuseum.sa.gov.au/collection/archives/language_groups/arakwal|access-date=2021-07-13|website=www.samuseum.sa.gov.au}}</ref> It has been argued that in this tribe's [[Bundjalung language]], {{transl|bdy|bullinah}} meant "place of many oysters". This theory argues that the Aboriginal name reminded the predominantly Irish settlers of "Ballina", so the name's origin could be an accidental or deliberate corruption. Another view is that town's name comes from the Irish [[toponym|placename]] [[Ballina (disambiguation)|Ballina]] (''Béal an Átha'', "mouth of the ford"), which is found in several parts of Ireland.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Ballina {{!}} New South Wales, Australia|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Ballina-New-South-Wales|access-date=2021-07-14|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref>
Ballina is located on the ancestral land of the [[Bundjalung people]], who are its [[traditional owners]] and original inhabitants.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Council |first=Ballina Shire |date=2007-08-24 |title=Aboriginal culture and heritage |url=https://ballina.nsw.gov.au/aboriginal-culture-and-heritage |access-date=2024-11-23 |website=Ballina Shire Council |language=en}}</ref> Archaeological evidence demonstrates Bundjalung occupation of the region for at least 6000 years.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Council|first=Ballina Shire|date=2007-08-24|title=Aboriginal culture and heritage|url=https://ballina.nsw.gov.au/aboriginal-culture-and-heritage|access-date=2021-07-13|website=Ballina Shire Council|language=en}}</ref> One view suggests that the name Ballina comes from corruption of a clan name for the ''Bullina'' or ''Bul-loona'' band of the [[Arakwal]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Arakwal (NSW)|url=https://www.samuseum.sa.gov.au/collection/archives/language_groups/arakwal|access-date=2021-07-13|website=www.samuseum.sa.gov.au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ballina in the 1840s |url=https://www.ballinahistoricalsociety.org.au/copy-of-early-european-settlement |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=Ballinahistorical |language=en}}</ref> It has been argued that in this tribe's [[Bundjalung language]], {{transl|bdy|bullinah}} meant "place of many oysters". This theory argues that the Aboriginal name reminded the predominantly Irish settlers of "Ballina", so the name's origin could be an accidental or deliberate corruption. Another view is that town's name comes from the Irish [[toponym|placename]] [[Ballina (disambiguation)|Ballina]] (''Béal an Átha'', "mouth of the ford"), which is found in several parts of Ireland.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Ballina {{!}} New South Wales, Australia|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Ballina-New-South-Wales|access-date=2021-07-14|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref>

Ballina was established in the 1840s on the northern shore of the Richmond River, 20 kilometres south of [[Cape Byron]], Australia's most easterly point. HMS ''Rainbow'', commanded by Capt. Henry Rous, first sailed into the Richmond River in 1828, followed by overland settlers from the [[Clarence River (New South Wales)|Clarence River]]. In 1842, more settlers arrived on a ship called ''Sally,'' forming a settlement at what is now East Ballina on Shaws Bay.<ref name=":0" />


Ballina was established in the 1840s on the northern shore of the [[Richmond River]], 20 kilometres south of [[Cape Byron]], Australia's most easterly point. HMS ''Rainbow'', commanded by Capt. Henry Rous, first sailed into the Richmond River in 1828, followed by overland settlers from the [[Clarence River (New South Wales)|Clarence River]]. In 1842, more settlers arrived on a ship called ''Sally,'' forming a settlement at what is now East Ballina on Shaws Bay.<ref name=":0" /> A lighthouse, [[Richmond River Light]], was first constructed in Ballina in 1866, which served as a significant port in the region. The temporary lighthouse was replaced with the current one, designed by [[James Barnet]], in 1879, and first lit in 1880. It is still active.<ref>{{cite loa|NSW|Richmond%20River|The Richmond River Lighthouse}}</ref> A branch railway line connected Ballina with the [[Murwillumbah railway line]] railway at Booyong. The line was opened on 24 August 1930 and closed on 12 January 1949.<ref>Hagarty, D. ''The Booyong-Ballina Branch Line''. [[Australian Railway History|Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin]], June 1953, pp.&nbsp;65–68</ref>
A lighthouse, [[Richmond River Light]], was first constructed in Ballina in 1866, which served as a significant port in the region. The temporary lighthouse was replaced with the current one, designed by [[James Barnet]], in 1879, and first lit in 1880. It is still active.<ref>{{cite loa|NSW|Richmond%20River|The Richmond River Lighthouse}}</ref> A branch railway line connected Ballina with the [[Murwillumbah railway line]] railway at Booyong. The line was opened on 24 August 1930 and closed on 12 January 1949.<ref>Hagarty, D. ''The Booyong-Ballina Branch Line''. [[Australian Railway History|Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin]], June 1953, pp.&nbsp;65–68</ref>


===Landfalls===
===Landfalls===
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==Demographics==
==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
⚫
The population of Ballina township was 18,532 at the 2021 Census <ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 Ballina, Census All persons QuickStats {{!}} Australian Bureau of Statistics |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/UCL113001 |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=www.abs.gov.au}}</ref> (representing 40 percent of the [[Ballina Shire]] population of 46,296). <ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 Ballina, Census All persons QuickStats {{!}} Australian Bureau of Statistics |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/LGA10250 |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=www.abs.gov.au}}</ref> The urban area had a population of 46,190, which includes [[Lennox Head, New South Wales|Lennox Head]] and other suburban areas.<ref name="ABSSUA"/><ref>The Australian Bureau of Statistics' 2016 "significant urban area" (SUA) ''1003 Ballina'' comprises two level-2 statistical areas (SA2s): ''112011236 Ballina'', and '' 112011242 Lennox Head - Skennars Head''. Together they contain the populated centres of Ballina, Lennox Head, Lennox Head West, and [[Skennars Head, New South Wales|Skennars Head]], but exclude nearby inland towns [[Tintenbar, New South Wales|Tintenbar]] and [[Cumbalum, New South Wales|Cumbalum]]. The latter towns are contained in a separate SA2 ''112011237 Ballina Region''. ([https://dbr.abs.gov.au/absmaps/index.html ABS Maps]</ref>
|type= Australia
|1921|2768
|1933|3042
|1947|3202
|1954|3558
|1961|4129
|1966|4933
|1971|6141
|1976|7323
|1981|9738
|1986|12398
|1991|14554
|1996|16056
|2001|16517
|2006|16477
|2011|16843
|2016|19495
|2021|20543
|source=[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]] data.<ref name="ABS Census data">{{cite web |title=Statistics by Catalogue Number |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/ViewContent?readform&view=ProductsbyCatalogue&Action=Expand&Num=2.2 |access-date=18 January 2024}}</ref><ref name="ABS Census data recent">{{cite web |title=Search Census data |publisher=Australian Bureau of Statistics |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/search-by-area |access-date=18 January 2024}}</ref> Note: from 2011, population includes figures from newly-separated [[Cumbalum]].
⚫
}}The population of Ballina township was 18,532 at the 2021 Census (representing 40 percent of the [[Ballina Shire]] population of 46,296).<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 Ballina, Census All persons QuickStats {{!}} Australian Bureau of Statistics |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/UCL113001 |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=www.abs.gov.au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 Ballina, Census All persons QuickStats {{!}} Australian Bureau of Statistics |url=https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/LGA10250 |access-date=2023-02-15 |website=www.abs.gov.au}}</ref> The urban area had a population of 46,190, which includes [[Lennox Head, New South Wales|Lennox Head]] and other suburban areas.<ref name="ABSSUA" /><ref>The Australian Bureau of Statistics' 2016 "significant urban area" (SUA) ''1003 Ballina'' comprises two level-2 statistical areas (SA2s): ''112011236 Ballina'', and '' 112011242 Lennox Head - Skennars Head''. Together they contain the populated centres of Ballina, Lennox Head, Lennox Head West, and [[Skennars Head, New South Wales|Skennars Head]], but exclude nearby inland towns [[Tintenbar, New South Wales|Tintenbar]] and [[Cumbalum, New South Wales|Cumbalum]]. The latter towns are contained in a separate SA2 ''112011237 Ballina Region''. ([https://dbr.abs.gov.au/absmaps/index.html ABS Maps]</ref>


[[Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people]] made up 3.3% of the population; compared with the national and state average of 2.9%.<ref name="Census2016">{{Census 2016 AUS|id=1003 |name=Ballina (Significant Urban Area) |access-date=30 November 2017 |quick=on}}</ref>
[[Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people]] made up 3.3% of the population; compared with the national and state average of 2.9%.<ref name="Census2016">{{Census 2016 AUS|id=1003 |name=Ballina (Significant Urban Area) |access-date=30 November 2017 |quick=on}}</ref>
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==Economy==
==Economy==


The median household income was estimated to be A$1,093 per week; with the median mortgage repayments estimated at A$1,733 per month; and median rent estimated at A$345 per week. The average number of motor vehicles was 1.6 per dwelling.<ref name="Census2016"/>
The median household income was estimated to be A$1,093 per week, with the median mortgage repayments estimated at A$1,733 per month, and median rent estimated at A$345 per week. The average number of motor vehicles was 1.6 per dwelling.<ref name="Census2016"/>


Ballina serves as a tourism gateway to the close by destinations of [[Lismore, New South Wales|Lismore]] and [[Byron Bay, New South Wales|Byron Bay]]. The town has access to several beaches, such as Shelley's Beach, and to historical sites such as the Ballina Manor and the [[Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum]], however its most famous landmark is undoubtedly the 'Big Prawn'.
Ballina serves as a tourism gateway to the close by destinations of [[Lismore, New South Wales|Lismore]] and [[Byron Bay, New South Wales|Byron Bay]]. The town has access to several beaches, such as Shelly, Lighthouse, Angels, Flat Rock and Sharpes beaches.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ballina Beaches {{!}} Discover Ballina |url=https://www.discoverballina.com.au/visit/ballinashirebeaches |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=www.discoverballina.com.au}}</ref>

It is also home to historical sites such as the Ballina Manor and the [[Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum]], however its most famous landmark is the "Big Prawn".


==The Big Prawn ==
==The Big Prawn ==
{{see also|Australia's big things}}
{{see also|Australia's big things}}
[[File:The Big Prawn (w- building) - 2009.jpg|thumb|The Big Prawn, prior the destruction of the building supporting it.]]
[[File:Big_Prawn_Ballina_2009.jpg|thumb|The Big Prawn, prior to refurbishment, 2009]]
[[File:Ballina_BigPrawn2.jpg|thumb|The Big Prawn in the Bunnings carpark after refurbishment, 2013]]
Ballina is home to the world's largest prawn model (made of concrete and fibreglass).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast/ballina-area/ballina|title=Ballina|website=Destination NSW|access-date=11 November 2013}}</ref> On 24 September 2009, [[Ballina Shire Council]] voted to allow the demolition of the Big Prawn,<ref>{{cite news |last=Stolz |first=Greg |url=http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/ballinas-big-prawn-may-move-to-gold-coast/story-e6frfq80-1225779319080 |title=Ballina's Big Prawn may move to Gold Coast |work=The Courier-Mail |date=25 September 2009 |access-date=23 December 2012}}</ref> but this permission was never acted upon. [[Bunnings Warehouse]] purchased the site and refurbished the Prawn as part of the redevelopment. The Prawn now sits on a stand next to the entrance of the Bunnings Warehouse car park.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2011/11/07/3358009.htm|title=Long live the Big Prawn|last=Turnbull|first=Samantha|date=7 November 2011|work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|access-date=23 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.northernstar.com.au/news/ballina-bunnings-213-million-big-prawn-priceless/2411402/#/0|title=Ballina Bunnings? $21.3 million. The Big Prawn? Priceless|date=7 October 2014|work=[[The Northern Star]]|access-date=19 January 2017}}</ref> In March 2018, [[Google Maps|Google Maps']] facial recognition software blurred out the facial area of the Prawn, first noticed on [[Reddit]] Australia,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/australia/comments/81azk7/google_street_view_has_blurred_the_face_of/|title=Google street view has blurred the face of Ballina's Big Prawn. Privacy first! • r/australia|website=reddit|language=en|access-date=4 March 2018}}</ref> and later reported in ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]''.<ref>[https://www.smh.com.au/technology/google-facial-recognition-blurs-out-the-big-prawn-20180302-p4z2m0.html "Google facial recognition blurs out the Big Prawn"] by Cole Latimer, ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'', 2 March 2018</ref>
Ballina is home to the world's largest prawn model (made of concrete and fibreglass).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast/ballina-area/ballina|title=Ballina|website=Destination NSW|access-date=11 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hayward |first=Philip |date=2023-04-30 |title=Ballina's Big Prawn, local fishing heritage and place branding |journal=Journal of Marine and Island Cultures |language=en |volume=12 |issue=1 |doi=10.21463/jmic.2023.12.1.05 |issn=2212-6821|doi-access=free }}</ref> On 24 September 2009, [[Ballina Shire Council]] voted to allow the demolition of the Big Prawn,<ref>{{cite news |last=Stolz |first=Greg |url=http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/ballinas-big-prawn-may-move-to-gold-coast/story-e6frfq80-1225779319080 |title=Ballina's Big Prawn may move to Gold Coast |work=The Courier-Mail |date=25 September 2009 |access-date=23 December 2012}}</ref> but this permission was never acted upon. [[Bunnings Warehouse]] purchased the site and refurbished the Prawn as part of the redevelopment. The Prawn now sits on a stand next to the entrance of the Bunnings Warehouse car park.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2011/11/07/3358009.htm|title=Long live the Big Prawn|last=Turnbull|first=Samantha|date=7 November 2011|work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|access-date=23 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.northernstar.com.au/news/ballina-bunnings-213-million-big-prawn-priceless/2411402/#/0|title=Ballina Bunnings? $21.3 million. The Big Prawn? Priceless|date=7 October 2014|work=[[The Northern Star]]|access-date=19 January 2017}}</ref>


The Ballina Prawn festival ran from 2013–2017,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Images from the Ballina Prawn Festival |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/ballina-prawn-festival/image-gallery/11682d8acb586325c57564927e9cf89d |access-date=2023-11-16 |website=The Daily Telegraph Newspaper}}</ref> featuring performances from Kav Temperley<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ballina Prawn Festival Sat Nov 12! |url=https://www.kavtemperley.com.au/posts/ballina-prawn-festival-sat-nov-12 |access-date=2023-11-16 |website=Kav Temperley}}</ref> of [[Eskimo Joe]], Simon Doe and Painted Dice, indie-rock band Hot Compost, and the late Howie Hughes singing his 'Prawn Song, For The Ballina Prawn Festival'.<ref>{{Citation |title=The Ballina Prawn Festival Song | date=10 November 2013 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLkZ4xYi7P0 |access-date=2023-11-16 |language=en}}</ref>
⚫
==Climate==
⚫
The town of Ballina experiences a [[humid subtropical climate]] (Koppen ''Cfa''), typical of the central part of Australia's eastern coast. Summers are sultry, humid and rainy, with approximately 40% of the town's total annual precipitation occurring from December to March, with March being the wettest month of the year, receiving an average of {{convert|215.6|mm|inch|3|abbr=on}} of precipitation. Winters are mild, although nighttime temperatures can be cool. Ballina's annual precipitation total observes a considerably higher concentration in the first half of the year (January–June) than the second half of the year (July–December).


In March 2018, [[Google Maps|Google Maps']] facial recognition software blurred out the facial area of the Prawn, first noticed on [[Reddit]] Australia,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/australia/comments/81azk7/google_street_view_has_blurred_the_face_of/|title=Google street view has blurred the face of Ballina's Big Prawn. Privacy first! • r/australia|website=reddit|date=2 March 2018 |language=en|access-date=4 March 2018}}</ref> and later reported in ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]''.<ref>[https://www.smh.com.au/technology/google-facial-recognition-blurs-out-the-big-prawn-20180302-p4z2m0.html "Google facial recognition blurs out the Big Prawn"] by Cole Latimer, ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'', 2 March 2018</ref>
Ballina's wetness is due to the town's coastal location and proximity to [[Cape Byron]], the easternmost point in Australia, which means that exposure to moisture-laden frontal systems that develop throughout the year in the [[Tasman Sea]] follows accordingly. Ballina experiences a copious {{convert|1781.4|mm|inch|1|abbr=on}} of precipitation annually, which is one of the highest annual precipitation levels to be found along the eastern coast of Australia south of the tropical coast of northern Queensland. The all-time highest and lowest temperatures ever recorded in the town are {{convert|42.0|°C|°F|1|abbr=on}} and {{convert|-2.0|°C|°F|1|abbr=on}} on 12 January 2002 and 17 June 1999 respectively.

There is an ongoing "Prawn War" between the two Big Prawns with another being in [[Exmouth, Western Australia]]; the Big Prawn in Ballina is significantly larger but Exmouth locals say theirs is more realistic.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-02-01 |title=Prawn Wars: Who has the best big prawn? |url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/lismore/community/prawn-wars-who-has-the-best-big-prawn/news-story/1841d769f65223e9c158fb3cc90593c7 |work=[[The Northern Star]]}}</ref>

⚫
==Climate==
⚫
The town of Ballina experiences a [[humid subtropical climate]] (Koppen ''Cfa''), typical of the central part of Australia's eastern coast. Summers are sultry, humid and rainy, with approximately 40% of the town's total annual precipitation occurring from December to March, with March being the wettest month of the year, receiving an average of {{convert|225.4|mm|inch|3|abbr=on}} of precipitation. Ballina's annual precipitation total observes a considerably higher concentration in the first half of the year (January–June) than the second half of the year (July–December). Ballina's wetness is due to the town's coastal location and proximity to [[Cape Byron]], the easternmost point in Australia, which means that exposure to moisture-laden frontal systems that develop throughout the year in the [[Tasman Sea]] follows accordingly. Ballina experiences a copious {{convert|1764.7|mm|inch|1|abbr=on}} of precipitation annually, which is one of the highest annual precipitation levels to be found along the eastern coast of Australia south of the tropical coast of northern Queensland. The all-time highest and lowest temperatures ever recorded in the town are {{convert|42.0|°C|°F|1|abbr=on}} and {{convert|-2.0|°C|°F|1|abbr=on}} on 12 January 2002 and 17 June 1999 respectively.
{{Weather box
{{Weather box
|location = [[Ballina Byron Gateway Airport]], New South Wales, Australia (1992–present normals and extremes); 1 m AMSL
|location = [[Ballina Byron Gateway Airport]] (28º50'S, 153º34'E, 1 AMSL) (1992–2024 normals and extremes)
|single line = yes
|single line = yes
|metric first = yes
|metric first = yes
Line 104: Line 135:
|Nov record high C = 38.1
|Nov record high C = 38.1
|Dec record high C = 40.0
|Dec record high C = 40.0
| Jan avg record high C = 31.1
| Feb avg record high C = 30.7
| Mar avg record high C = 29.4
| Apr avg record high C = 27.4
| May avg record high C = 25.0
| Jun avg record high C = 23.0
| Jul avg record high C = 23.0
| Aug avg record high C = 25.0
| Sep avg record high C = 27.0
| Oct avg record high C = 29.0
| Nov avg record high C = 30.0
| Dec avg record high C = 31.0
|Jan high C = 28.4
|Jan high C = 28.4
|Feb high C = 28.1
|Feb high C = 28.1
|Mar high C = 27.1
|Mar high C = 27.1
|Apr high C = 25.0
|Apr high C = 25.0
|May high C = 22.6
|May high C = 22.5
|Jun high C = 20.3
|Jun high C = 20.4
|Jul high C = 20.1
|Jul high C = 20.1
|Aug high C = 21.4
|Aug high C = 21.4
Line 128: Line 147:
|Nov high C = 26.3
|Nov high C = 26.3
|Dec high C = 27.6
|Dec high C = 27.6
|Jan mean C = 24.1
|Feb mean C = 23.9
|Mar mean C = 22.8
|Apr mean C = 20.2
|May mean C = 17.4
|Jun mean C = 15.2
|Jul mean C = 14.4
|Aug mean C = 15.1
|Sep mean C = 17.6
|Oct mean C = 19.5
|Nov mean C = 21.5
|Dec mean C = 23.0
|Jan low C = 19.8
|Jan low C = 19.8
|Feb low C = 19.7
|Feb low C = 19.7
|Mar low C = 18.5
|Mar low C = 18.6
|Apr low C = 15.4
|Apr low C = 15.4
|May low C = 12.1
|May low C = 12.2
|Jun low C = 10.0
|Jun low C = 9.9
|Jul low C = 8.7
|Jul low C = 8.8
|Aug low C = 8.8
|Aug low C = 8.9
|Sep low C = 11.5
|Sep low C = 11.6
|Oct low C = 14.1
|Oct low C = 14.2
|Nov low C = 16.6
|Nov low C = 16.5
|Dec low C = 18.4
|Dec low C = 18.4
| Jan avg record low C = 16.9
| Feb avg record low C = 16.5
| Mar avg record low C = 15.0
| Apr avg record low C = 12.0
| May avg record low C = 7.8
| Jun avg record low C = 5.1
| Jul avg record low C = 4.0
| Aug avg record low C = 4.5
| Sep avg record low C = 7.0
| Oct avg record low C = 9.9
| Nov avg record low C = 13.0
| Dec avg record low C = 14.5
|Jan record low C = 12.2
|Jan record low C = 12.2
|Feb record low C = 13.2
|Feb record low C = 13.2
Line 176: Line 171:
|Nov record low C = 7.0
|Nov record low C = 7.0
|Dec record low C = 9.3
|Dec record low C = 9.3
|Jan rain mm = 169.8
|Jan rain mm = 170.6
|Feb rain mm = 224.0
|Feb rain mm = 223.6
|Mar rain mm = 231.9
|Mar rain mm = 225.4
|Apr rain mm = 183.2
|Apr rain mm = 182.2
|May rain mm = 154.4
|May rain mm = 158.0
|Jun rain mm = 201.5
|Jun rain mm = 188.8
|Jul rain mm = 107.8
|Jul rain mm = 107.4
|Aug rain mm = 77.7
|Aug rain mm = 75.3
|Sep rain mm = 63.9
|Sep rain mm = 68.1
|Oct rain mm = 100.6
|Oct rain mm = 107.1
|Nov rain mm = 118.2
|Nov rain mm = 117.5
|Dec rain mm = 148.4
|Dec rain mm = 144.0
|year rain mm = 1764.7
|rain colour = green
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain days = 10.4
|Jan rain days = 10.5
|Feb rain days = 12.6
|Feb rain days = 12.4
|Mar rain days = 14.6
|Mar rain days = 14.5
|Apr rain days = 11.9
|Apr rain days = 12.2
|May rain days = 11.6
|May rain days = 11.6
|Jun rain days = 10.6
|Jun rain days = 10.2
|Jul rain days = 8.4
|Jul rain days = 8.6
|Aug rain days = 6.7
|Aug rain days = 6.8
|Sep rain days = 6.0
|Sep rain days = 6.1
|Oct rain days = 8.7
|Oct rain days = 8.9
|Nov rain days = 9.2
|Nov rain days = 9.1
|Dec rain days = 9.7
|Dec rain days = 9.7
|unit rain days = 1.0 mm
|unit rain days = 1.0 mm
|Jan humidity = 70.5
|Jan afthumidity = 67
|Feb humidity = 73.0
|Feb afthumidity = 68
|Mar humidity = 73.5
|Mar afthumidity = 67
|Apr humidity = 70.0
|Apr afthumidity = 65
|May humidity = 69.5
|May afthumidity = 64
|Jun humidity = 68.5
|Jun afthumidity = 62
|Jul humidity = 65.5
|Jul afthumidity = 59
|Aug humidity = 60.5
|Aug afthumidity = 55
|Sep humidity = 61.0
|Sep afthumidity = 59
|Oct humidity = 64.0
|Oct afthumidity = 62
|Nov humidity = 68.5
|Nov afthumidity = 65
|Dec humidity = 67.0
|Dec afthumidity = 64
|Jan dew point C = 19.6
|Jan dew point C = 19.7
|Feb dew point C = 19.8
|Feb dew point C = 19.9
|Mar dew point C = 18.6
|Mar dew point C = 18.5
|Apr dew point C = 16.2
|Apr dew point C = 16.1
|May dew point C = 13.4
|May dew point C = 13.4
|Jun dew point C = 10.9
|Jun dew point C = 11.0
|Jul dew point C = 9.8
|Jul dew point C = 9.9
|Aug dew point C = 9.8
|Aug dew point C = 9.9
|Sep dew point C = 12.3
|Sep dew point C = 12.5
|Oct dew point C = 14.6
|Oct dew point C = 14.7
|Nov dew point C = 16.7
|Nov dew point C = 16.8
|Dec dew point C = 18.1
|Dec dew point C = 18.3
|source 1 = [[Australian Bureau of Meteorology]] (temperature, precipitation, humidity- 1992-present normals and extremes)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://reg.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_058198_All.shtml |title=Ballina Byron Gateway Airport, NSW Climate (1992-present normals and extremes) |website= [[Australian Bureau of Meteorology]] |access-date=7 May 2022 }}</ref>
|source 1 = [[Bureau of Meteorology]] (1992-2024 normals and extremes)<ref>{{cite web
|url = http://reg.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_058198_All.shtml
|title = Ballina Byron Gateway Airport Climate Statistics
|website = [[Australian Bureau of Meteorology]]
|access-date = June 23, 2024
}}</ref>
}}
}}


==Media==
==Media==
The ''Northern Rivers Echo'' is a free weekly community newspaper with 27,000 copies distributed to Lismore, Alstonville, Wollongbar, Ballina, Casino, Nimbin and Evans Head. ''[[The Northern Star]]'' is a tabloid newspaper based in Lismore. It covers the region from Casino to Ballina and up to Murwillimbah and Byron Bay, covering a population of several hundred thousand.
The ''Northern Rivers Echo'' is a free weekly community newspaper with 27,000 copies distributed to Lismore, Alstonville, Wollongbar, Ballina, Casino, Nimbin and Evans Head. ''[[The Northern Star]]'' is a tabloid newspaper based in Lismore. It covers the region from Casino to Ballina and up to Murwillimbah and Byron Bay, covering a population of several hundred thousand.{{cn|date=July 2024}}


Ballina receives TV channels from [[Special Broadcasting Service|SBS]] and [[ABC Television (Australian TV network)|ABC]] and the regional affiliates of [[Seven Network|Seven]], [[NBN (TV station)|Nine]] and [[NRN|WIN Television]]’s 10 Northern NSW.
Ballina receives TV channels from [[Special Broadcasting Service|SBS]] and [[ABC Television (Australian TV network)|ABC]] and the regional affiliates of [[Seven Network|Seven]], [[NBN (TV station)|Nine]] and [[NRN|WIN Television]]’s 10 Northern NSW.{{cn|date=July 2024}}


The commercial radio stations in the area are [[100.9 ZZZ FM|Triple Z (Hit Music)]] and [[2LM|2LM 900 AM]]. Both are run by [[Broadcast Operations Group]]. The community radio station is [[Paradise FM 101.9]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbaa.org.au/station/2PAR|title=Paradise FM 101.9|publisher=Community Broadcasting Organisation of Australia, cbaa.org|access-date=17 December 2018}}</ref> Other radio stations are [[Triple J]] 96.1 FM, [[Radio National|ABC Radio National]] 96.9 FM, [[ABC Classic FM]] 95.3 and [[ABC North Coast]] 94.5 FM.
The commercial radio stations in the area are [[100.9 ZZZ FM|Triple Z (Hit Music)]] and [[2LM|2LM 900 AM]]. Both are run by [[Broadcast Operations Group]]. The community radio station is [[Paradise FM 101.9]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbaa.org.au/station/2PAR|title=Paradise FM 101.9|publisher=Community Broadcasting Organisation of Australia, cbaa.org|access-date=17 December 2018}}</ref> Other radio stations are [[Triple J]] 96.1 FM, [[Radio National|ABC Radio National]] 96.9 FM, [[ABC Classic FM]] 95.3 and [[ABC North Coast]] 94.5 FM.{{cn|date=July 2024}}


==Facilities==
==Facilities==
There are five primary schools in Ballina; Ballina Public School, Emmanuel Anglican College, Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Richmond Christian College, St. Francis Xavier Primary School and Southern Cross School. There are also four high schools in the town; Emmanuel Anglican College, Richmond Christian College, Ballina Coast High School and [[Xavier Catholic College]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Australian Schools Directory |url=https://www.australianschoolsdirectory.com.au/northern-rivers-nsw-schools |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=www.australianschoolsdirectory.com.au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Private Schools Directory |url=https://www.privateschoolsdirectory.com.au/byron-bay-ballina-area-nsw-private-schools |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=www.privateschoolsdirectory.com.au}}</ref>
There are four high schools in the town (Emmanuel Anglican College, Richmond Christian College, Ballina Coast High School and [[Xavier Catholic College]]), five primary schools (Ballina Public School, Emmanuel Anglican College, Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Richmond Christian College, St. Francis Xavier Primary School and Southern Cross School), a hospital and aged care facilities.

There is also a hospital, the Ballina District Hospital, which is a rural community hospital and various aged care facilities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ballina District Hospital {{!}} Northern NSW Local Health District |url=https://nnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/hospitals/ballina-district-hospital |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=nnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Nursing Homes / Aged Care Homes in Ballina, New South Wales |url=https://www.agedcareguide.com.au/nursing-homes/ballina-nsw |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=Aged Care Guide |language=en}}</ref>


==Transport==
==Transport==

===Ballina bypass===
===Ballina bypass===
The long-awaited Ballina bypass<ref name="ballinabypass">[http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadprojects/projects/pac_hwy/ballina_tweed_heads/ballina_bypass/index.html Ballina bypass – Road Projects]. New South Wales Roads and Traffic Authority.</ref> project upgraded 12.4&nbsp;km of dual carriageway road, extending from south of Ballina at the intersection of the [[Bruxner Highway|Bruxner]] and [[Pacific Highway (Australia)|Pacific Highway]]s to north of Ballina at the intersection with Ross Lane at [[Tintenbar, New South Wales|Tintenbar]]. Twelve kilometres of local roads were also upgraded.
The Ballina bypass project upgraded 12.4&nbsp;km of dual carriageway road, extending from south of Ballina at the intersection of the [[Bruxner Highway|Bruxner]] and [[Pacific Highway, Australia|Pacific]] highways to north of Ballina at the intersection with Ross Lane at [[Tintenbar]]. Twelve kilometres of local roads were also upgraded.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110330110606/http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/roadprojects/projects/pac_hwy/ballina_tweed_heads/ballina_bypass/index.html Ballina Bypass] [[Roads & Traffic Authority]]</ref>


Early works started in April 2008 and substantial works on 16 June 2008. The Cumbalum to Ross Lane section opened in 2011<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.northernstar.com.au/news/peaceful-sleeps-start-tonight-ballina-bypass/1190168/ |title=Ballina quiet as bypass opens |last=O'Neill |first=Kate |date=2011-11-29 |work=Northern Star |access-date=2019-12-26 |language=en }}</ref> (the bypass was extended an extra 0.5&nbsp;km to allow for a better connection to the Tintenbar to Ewingsdale Project) with full completion in mid-2012. The project had its final traffic switch opened to the public in April 2012, allowing for separation of the Pacific Highway and the Bruxner Highway traffic.
Early works started in April 2008 and substantial works on 16 June 2008. The Cumbalum to Ross Lane section opened in 2011<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.northernstar.com.au/news/peaceful-sleeps-start-tonight-ballina-bypass/1190168/ |title=Ballina quiet as bypass opens |last=O'Neill |first=Kate |date=2011-11-29 |work= Northern Star |access-date=2019-12-26 |language=en }}</ref> (the bypass was extended an extra 0.5&nbsp;km to allow for a better connection to the Tintenbar to Ewingsdale Project) with full completion in mid-2012. The project had its final traffic switch opened to the public in April 2012, allowing for separation of the Pacific Highway and the Bruxner Highway traffic.{{cn|date=July 2024}}


===Airport===
===Airport===
[[Ballina Byron Gateway Airport]] is the region's main airport, located on Southern Cross Drive and {{convert|5|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} from the Ballina CBD. It has links to [[Newcastle Airport (New South Wales)|Newcastle]], [[Melbourne Airport|Melbourne]] and [[Sydney Airport|Sydney]] with [[FlyPelican]], [[Jetstar]], [[Regional Express Airlines]] and [[Virgin Australia]] operating services. The airport is a 30-minute road trip to [[Byron Bay]] and 40 minutes to Lismore. In 2005 Ballina Airport was renamed the Ballina Byron Gateway airport in a bid to attract more people to the area.
[[Ballina Byron Gateway Airport]] is the region's main airport, located on Southern Cross Drive and {{convert|5|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} from the Ballina CBD. It has links to [[Newcastle Airport, New South Wales|Newcastle]], [[Melbourne Airport|Melbourne]] and [[Sydney Airport|Sydney]] with [[FlyPelican]], [[Jetstar]], [[Rex Airlines]] and [[Virgin Australia]] operating services. The airport is a 30-minute road trip to [[Byron Bay]] and 40 minutes to Lismore.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Ballina-Byron Gateway Airport |url=https://ballinabyronairport.com.au/ |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=Ballina Byron Gateway Airport |language=en}}</ref> In 2005 Ballina Airport was renamed the Ballina Byron Gateway airport in a bid to attract more people to the area.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ballina Airport Travel Guide |url=https://www.travelonline.com/flights/airports/ballina-airport |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=www.travelonline.com}}</ref>

==Sports and recreation==
⚫
The [[Ballina Seagulls]] is the local [[rugby league]] club that competes in the [[Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League]] competition.

⚫
The [[Ballina Seahorses]] is the [[rugby union]] club that competes in the [[Far North Coast Rugby Union|Far North Coast Rugby]] zone.


In 2024 a $20.68 million upgrade was completed on the airport to further increase services.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Council |first=Ballina Shire |date=2024-03-07 |title=Ballina Byron Gateway Airport Stronger Than Ever |url=https://ballina.nsw.gov.au/news/ballina-byron-gateway-airport-stronger-than-ever |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=Ballina Shire Council |language=en}}</ref>
⚫
The [[Ballina Bombers]] is the [[Australian rules football]] club that competes in the [[Queensland Football Association Division 2 South]]


==Sports==
There is also a [[club cricket|cricket]] competition with clubs such as the [[Ballina Bears Cricket Club|Ballina Bears]] and [[Tintenbar-East Ballina Cricket Club|Tintenbar-East Ballina]] competing at both the district and regional ([[LJ Hooker League]]) level.


⚫
* The [[Ballina Seagulls]] is the local [[rugby league]] club that competes in the [[Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League]] competition.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ballina Seagulls Rugby League Football Club |url=https://ballinaseagulls.com.au/ |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=ballinaseagulls.com.au}}</ref>
⚫
* The [[Ballina Seahorses]] is the [[rugby union]] club that competes in the [[Far North Coast Rugby Union|Far North Coast Rugby]] zone.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ballina Rugby Union Club |url=https://www.ballinarugby.com.au/ |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=Ballina Rugby Union Club |language=en-AU}}</ref>
⚫
* The [[Ballina Bombers]] is the [[Australian rules football]] club that competes in the [[Queensland Football Association Division 2 South]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=Ballina Bombers JAFC |url=https://ballinabombersjafc.com.au/ |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=Ballina Bombers |language=en-US}}</ref>
* There is also a [[club cricket|cricket]] competition with clubs such as the [[Ballina Bears Cricket Club|Ballina Bears]] and [[Tintenbar-East Ballina Cricket Club|Tintenbar-East Ballina]] competing at both the district and regional ([[LJ Hooker League]]) level.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ballina Bears Cricket Club |url=http://www.ballinacricketclub.com.au/ |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=www.ballinacricketclub.com.au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Play Cricket: Tintenbar East Ballina Cricket Club |url=https://play.cricket.com.au/club/tintenbar-east-ballina-cricket-club/68e5d8a7-86d8-eb11-a7ad-2818780da0cc |access-date=2024-07-18 |website=play.cricket.com.au |language=en}}</ref>
==Notable people==
==Notable people==
* [[Mitchell Aubusson]], [[Sydney Roosters]] NRL player
* [[Mitchell Aubusson]], [[Sydney Roosters]] NRL player
Line 303: Line 304:
[[Category:Ballina, New South Wales| ]]
[[Category:Ballina, New South Wales| ]]
[[Category:Towns in New South Wales]]
[[Category:Towns in New South Wales]]
[[Category:Northern Rivers]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1866]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1866]]
[[Category:1866 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:1866 establishments in Australia]]

Latest revision as of 06:37, 23 December 2024

Ballina
New South Wales
Clockwise from top left: The Big Prawn, Ballina Court House, Ballina Manor, Shelly Beach, River Street Mall.
Ballina is located in New South Wales
Ballina
Ballina
Coordinates28°51′49″S 153°31′58″E / 28.86361°S 153.53278°E / -28.86361; 153.53278
Population46,190 (2021)[1]
Established1840s
Postcode(s)2478
Elevation1.3 m (4 ft)[2]
Location
LGA(s)Ballina Shire
State electorate(s)Ballina
Federal division(s)Richmond
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
24.4 °C
76 °F		 14.3 °C
58 °F		 1,817.9 mm
71.6 in

Ballina (/bælɪnə/)[3] is a town in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia, and the seat of the Ballina Shire local government area. It lies 740 km (460 mi) north of Sydney and 185 km (115 mi) south of Brisbane. Ballina's urban population at the end of 2021 was 46,190.[4]

The town lies on the Richmond River and serves as a gateway to Byron Bay.

History

[edit]

Ballina is located on the ancestral land of the Bundjalung people, who are its traditional owners and original inhabitants.[5] Archaeological evidence demonstrates Bundjalung occupation of the region for at least 6000 years.[6] One view suggests that the name Ballina comes from corruption of a clan name for the Bullina or Bul-loona band of the Arakwal.[7][8] It has been argued that in this tribe's Bundjalung language, bullinah meant "place of many oysters". This theory argues that the Aboriginal name reminded the predominantly Irish settlers of "Ballina", so the name's origin could be an accidental or deliberate corruption. Another view is that town's name comes from the Irish placename Ballina (Béal an Átha, "mouth of the ford"), which is found in several parts of Ireland.[9]

Ballina was established in the 1840s on the northern shore of the Richmond River, 20 kilometres south of Cape Byron, Australia's most easterly point. HMS Rainbow, commanded by Capt. Henry Rous, first sailed into the Richmond River in 1828, followed by overland settlers from the Clarence River. In 1842, more settlers arrived on a ship called Sally, forming a settlement at what is now East Ballina on Shaws Bay.[9]

A lighthouse, Richmond River Light, was first constructed in Ballina in 1866, which served as a significant port in the region. The temporary lighthouse was replaced with the current one, designed by James Barnet, in 1879, and first lit in 1880. It is still active.[10] A branch railway line connected Ballina with the Murwillumbah railway line railway at Booyong. The line was opened on 24 August 1930 and closed on 12 January 1949.[11]

Landfalls

[edit]

Ballina has a number of famous "landfalls" associated with it. In 1928, Charles Kingsford Smith's plane, the Southern Cross, crossed the coast over Ballina after its epic journey across the Pacific Ocean.[12] Ballina had a festival associated with the event during the 1970s and 1980s, and a school in East Ballina bears the name "Southern Cross".

In 1973, the Las Balsas rafts were towed into Ballina by fishing trawlers after their journey from Ecuador.[13] One of the rafts is preserved in the Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum.[14] They had planned to arrive in Mooloolaba in Queensland, but currents forced them off their course. Their journey was almost twice as long as the Kon-Tiki expeditions of 1947 and proved that people could have travelled across the Pacific in ancient times.

Heritage listings

[edit]

Ballina has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

Location

[edit]

It is approximately 700 km (435 mi) north of Sydney and 160 km (99 mi) south of Brisbane. Ballina is a coastal town and is connected to the Pacific Highway which now bypasses it.

The Richmond River was an important transport route for the region for the first 100 years after settlement. The river and its estuaries abound with marine wildlife and provide for recreational fishing and water sports.

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
YearPop.±%
19212,768—    
19333,042+9.9%
19473,202+5.3%
19543,558+11.1%
19614,129+16.0%
19664,933+19.5%
19716,141+24.5%
19767,323+19.2%
19819,738+33.0%
198612,398+27.3%
199114,554+17.4%
199616,056+10.3%
200116,517+2.9%
200616,477−0.2%
201116,843+2.2%
201619,495+15.7%
202120,543+5.4%
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics data.[16][17] Note: from 2011, population includes figures from newly-separated Cumbalum.

The population of Ballina township was 18,532 at the 2021 Census (representing 40 percent of the Ballina Shire population of 46,296).[18][19] The urban area had a population of 46,190, which includes Lennox Head and other suburban areas.[1][20]

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 3.3% of the population; compared with the national and state average of 2.9%.[21]

The most common ancestries in the area were English 31.2%, Australian 28.3%, Irish 10.9%, Scottish 8.7% and German 3.2%. 81.0% of people were born in Australia. The next most common countries of birth were England 3.4%, New Zealand 1.7%, Scotland 0.5% and South Africa 0.4%. 13.3% of people had both parents born overseas. 88.7% of people only spoke English at home.[21]

The most common responses for religion in the area were No Religion 30.2%, Catholic 23.0% and Anglican 19.6%.[21]

Economy

[edit]

The median household income was estimated to be A$1,093 per week, with the median mortgage repayments estimated at A$1,733 per month, and median rent estimated at A$345 per week. The average number of motor vehicles was 1.6 per dwelling.[21]

Ballina serves as a tourism gateway to the close by destinations of Lismore and Byron Bay. The town has access to several beaches, such as Shelly, Lighthouse, Angels, Flat Rock and Sharpes beaches.[22]

It is also home to historical sites such as the Ballina Manor and the Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum, however its most famous landmark is the "Big Prawn".

The Big Prawn

[edit]
See also: Australia's big things
The Big Prawn, prior to refurbishment, 2009
The Big Prawn in the Bunnings carpark after refurbishment, 2013

Ballina is home to the world's largest prawn model (made of concrete and fibreglass).[23][24] On 24 September 2009, Ballina Shire Council voted to allow the demolition of the Big Prawn,[25] but this permission was never acted upon. Bunnings Warehouse purchased the site and refurbished the Prawn as part of the redevelopment. The Prawn now sits on a stand next to the entrance of the Bunnings Warehouse car park.[26][27]

The Ballina Prawn festival ran from 2013–2017,[28] featuring performances from Kav Temperley[29] of Eskimo Joe, Simon Doe and Painted Dice, indie-rock band Hot Compost, and the late Howie Hughes singing his 'Prawn Song, For The Ballina Prawn Festival'.[30]

In March 2018, Google Maps' facial recognition software blurred out the facial area of the Prawn, first noticed on Reddit Australia,[31] and later reported in The Sydney Morning Herald.[32]

There is an ongoing "Prawn War" between the two Big Prawns with another being in Exmouth, Western Australia; the Big Prawn in Ballina is significantly larger but Exmouth locals say theirs is more realistic.[33]

Climate

[edit]

The town of Ballina experiences a humid subtropical climate (Koppen Cfa), typical of the central part of Australia's eastern coast. Summers are sultry, humid and rainy, with approximately 40% of the town's total annual precipitation occurring from December to March, with March being the wettest month of the year, receiving an average of 225.4 mm (8.874 in) of precipitation. Ballina's annual precipitation total observes a considerably higher concentration in the first half of the year (January–June) than the second half of the year (July–December). Ballina's wetness is due to the town's coastal location and proximity to Cape Byron, the easternmost point in Australia, which means that exposure to moisture-laden frontal systems that develop throughout the year in the Tasman Sea follows accordingly. Ballina experiences a copious 1,764.7 mm (69.5 in) of precipitation annually, which is one of the highest annual precipitation levels to be found along the eastern coast of Australia south of the tropical coast of northern Queensland. The all-time highest and lowest temperatures ever recorded in the town are 42.0 °C (107.6 °F) and −2.0 °C (28.4 °F) on 12 January 2002 and 17 June 1999 respectively.

Climate data for Ballina Byron Gateway Airport (28º50'S, 153º34'E, 1 AMSL) (1992–2024 normals and extremes)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 42.0
(107.6) 		41.0
(105.8) 		36.3
(97.3) 		32.6
(90.7) 		30.0
(86.0) 		28.0
(82.4) 		28.7
(83.7) 		36.7
(98.1) 		38.2
(100.8) 		37.0
(98.6) 		38.1
(100.6) 		40.0
(104.0) 		42.0
(107.6)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 28.4
(83.1) 		28.1
(82.6) 		27.1
(80.8) 		25.0
(77.0) 		22.5
(72.5) 		20.4
(68.7) 		20.1
(68.2) 		21.4
(70.5) 		23.6
(74.5) 		24.9
(76.8) 		26.3
(79.3) 		27.6
(81.7) 		24.6
(76.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 19.8
(67.6) 		19.7
(67.5) 		18.6
(65.5) 		15.4
(59.7) 		12.2
(54.0) 		9.9
(49.8) 		8.8
(47.8) 		8.9
(48.0) 		11.6
(52.9) 		14.2
(57.6) 		16.5
(61.7) 		18.4
(65.1) 		14.5
(58.1)
Record low °C (°F) 12.2
(54.0) 		13.2
(55.8) 		11.0
(51.8) 		5.9
(42.6) 		2.0
(35.6) 		−2.0
(28.4) 		0.0
(32.0) 		1.0
(33.8) 		0.4
(32.7) 		4.2
(39.6) 		7.0
(44.6) 		9.3
(48.7) 		−2.0
(28.4)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 170.6
(6.72) 		223.6
(8.80) 		225.4
(8.87) 		182.2
(7.17) 		158.0
(6.22) 		188.8
(7.43) 		107.4
(4.23) 		75.3
(2.96) 		68.1
(2.68) 		107.1
(4.22) 		117.5
(4.63) 		144.0
(5.67) 		1,764.7
(69.48)
Average rainy days (≥ 1.0 mm) 10.5 12.4 14.5 12.2 11.6 10.2 8.6 6.8 6.1 8.9 9.1 9.7 120.6
Average afternoon relative humidity (%) 67 68 67 65 64 62 59 55 59 62 65 64 63
Average dew point °C (°F) 19.7
(67.5) 		19.9
(67.8) 		18.5
(65.3) 		16.1
(61.0) 		13.4
(56.1) 		11.0
(51.8) 		9.9
(49.8) 		9.9
(49.8) 		12.5
(54.5) 		14.7
(58.5) 		16.8
(62.2) 		18.3
(64.9) 		15.1
(59.1)
Source: Bureau of Meteorology (1992-2024 normals and extremes)[34]

Media

[edit]

The Northern Rivers Echo is a free weekly community newspaper with 27,000 copies distributed to Lismore, Alstonville, Wollongbar, Ballina, Casino, Nimbin and Evans Head. The Northern Star is a tabloid newspaper based in Lismore. It covers the region from Casino to Ballina and up to Murwillimbah and Byron Bay, covering a population of several hundred thousand.[citation needed]

Ballina receives TV channels from SBS and ABC and the regional affiliates of Seven, Nine and WIN Television’s 10 Northern NSW.[citation needed]

The commercial radio stations in the area are Triple Z (Hit Music) and 2LM 900 AM. Both are run by Broadcast Operations Group. The community radio station is Paradise FM 101.9.[35] Other radio stations are Triple J 96.1 FM, ABC Radio National 96.9 FM, ABC Classic FM 95.3 and ABC North Coast 94.5 FM.[citation needed]

Facilities

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There are five primary schools in Ballina; Ballina Public School, Emmanuel Anglican College, Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Richmond Christian College, St. Francis Xavier Primary School and Southern Cross School. There are also four high schools in the town; Emmanuel Anglican College, Richmond Christian College, Ballina Coast High School and Xavier Catholic College.[36][37]

There is also a hospital, the Ballina District Hospital, which is a rural community hospital and various aged care facilities.[38][39]

Transport

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Ballina bypass

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The Ballina bypass project upgraded 12.4 km of dual carriageway road, extending from south of Ballina at the intersection of the Bruxner and Pacific highways to north of Ballina at the intersection with Ross Lane at Tintenbar. Twelve kilometres of local roads were also upgraded.[40]

Early works started in April 2008 and substantial works on 16 June 2008. The Cumbalum to Ross Lane section opened in 2011[41] (the bypass was extended an extra 0.5 km to allow for a better connection to the Tintenbar to Ewingsdale Project) with full completion in mid-2012. The project had its final traffic switch opened to the public in April 2012, allowing for separation of the Pacific Highway and the Bruxner Highway traffic.[citation needed]

Airport

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Ballina Byron Gateway Airport is the region's main airport, located on Southern Cross Drive and 5 km (3 mi) from the Ballina CBD. It has links to Newcastle, Melbourne and Sydney with FlyPelican, Jetstar, Rex Airlines and Virgin Australia operating services. The airport is a 30-minute road trip to Byron Bay and 40 minutes to Lismore.[42] In 2005 Ballina Airport was renamed the Ballina Byron Gateway airport in a bid to attract more people to the area.[43]

In 2024 a $20.68 million upgrade was completed on the airport to further increase services.[44]

Sports

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Notable people

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Twin cities

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Ballina is twinned with:[51]

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  • Boats on the Richmond River at Ballina
    Boats on the Richmond River at Ballina
  • Ballina beaches
    Ballina beaches
  • The Las Balsa raft at the Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum
    The Las Balsa raft at the Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum
  • Riversleigh, Ballina
    Riversleigh, Ballina
  • Wigmore Arcade
    Wigmore Arcade
  • Missingham Bridge crossing North Creek from Ballina to East Ballina.
    Missingham Bridge crossing North Creek from Ballina to East Ballina.
  • Richmond River Prawn Trawler
    Richmond River Prawn Trawler

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Census 2021". Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023. Ballina Significant Urban Area Population.
  2. ^ "Ballina Airport AWS". Climate Averages for Australian Sites. Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 24 November 2006.
  3. ^ Macquarie Dictionary (4th ed.). Melbourne, Australia: The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd. 2005. ISBN 1-876429-14-3.
  4. ^ "2021 Ballina, Census All persons QuickStats | Australian Bureau of Statistics". www.abs.gov.au. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  5. ^ Council, Ballina Shire (24 August 2007). "Aboriginal culture and heritage". Ballina Shire Council. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  6. ^ Council, Ballina Shire (24 August 2007). "Aboriginal culture and heritage". Ballina Shire Council. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  7. ^ "Arakwal (NSW)". www.samuseum.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  8. ^ "Ballina in the 1840s". Ballinahistorical. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  9. ^ a b "Ballina | New South Wales, Australia". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  10. ^ "The Richmond River Lighthouse". Lighthouses of New South Wales. Lighthouses of Australia Inc.
  11. ^ Hagarty, D. The Booyong-Ballina Branch Line. Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, June 1953, pp. 65–68
  12. ^ Kingsford-Smith, Charles; C. T. P. Ulm (1928). Story of "Southern Cross" Trans-Pacific Flight, 1928. Sydney: Penlington and Somerville.
  13. ^ "Ballina Naval & Maritime Museum". bigvolcano.com.au. Ballina Naval & Maritime Museum. Archived from the original on 4 October 2006. Retrieved 3 November 2006.
  14. ^ "Las Balsa Expedition". Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
  15. ^ "Brundah". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Department of Planning & Environment. H00194. Retrieved 18 May 2018. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) under CC BY 4.0 licence.
  16. ^ "Statistics by Catalogue Number". Australian Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  17. ^ "Search Census data". Australian Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  18. ^ "2021 Ballina, Census All persons QuickStats | Australian Bureau of Statistics". www.abs.gov.au. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  19. ^ "2021 Ballina, Census All persons QuickStats | Australian Bureau of Statistics". www.abs.gov.au. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  20. ^ The Australian Bureau of Statistics' 2016 "significant urban area" (SUA) 1003 Ballina comprises two level-2 statistical areas (SA2s): 112011236 Ballina, and 112011242 Lennox Head - Skennars Head. Together they contain the populated centres of Ballina, Lennox Head, Lennox Head West, and Skennars Head, but exclude nearby inland towns Tintenbar and Cumbalum. The latter towns are contained in a separate SA2 112011237 Ballina Region. (ABS Maps
  21. ^ a b c d Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Ballina (Significant Urban Area)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 30 November 2017. Edit this at Wikidata
  22. ^ "Ballina Beaches | Discover Ballina". www.discoverballina.com.au. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  23. ^ "Ballina". Destination NSW. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  24. ^ Hayward, Philip (30 April 2023). "Ballina's Big Prawn, local fishing heritage and place branding". Journal of Marine and Island Cultures. 12 (1). doi:10.21463/jmic.2023.12.1.05. ISSN 2212-6821.
  25. ^ Stolz, Greg (25 September 2009). "Ballina's Big Prawn may move to Gold Coast". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  26. ^ Turnbull, Samantha (7 November 2011). "Long live the Big Prawn". ABC News. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  27. ^ "Ballina Bunnings? $21.3 million. The Big Prawn? Priceless". The Northern Star. 7 October 2014. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  28. ^ "Images from the Ballina Prawn Festival". The Daily Telegraph Newspaper. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  29. ^ "Ballina Prawn Festival Sat Nov 12!". Kav Temperley. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  30. ^ The Ballina Prawn Festival Song, 10 November 2013, retrieved 16 November 2023
  31. ^ "Google street view has blurred the face of Ballina's Big Prawn. Privacy first! • r/australia". reddit. 2 March 2018. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  32. ^ "Google facial recognition blurs out the Big Prawn" by Cole Latimer, The Sydney Morning Herald, 2 March 2018
  33. ^ "Prawn Wars: Who has the best big prawn?". The Northern Star. 1 February 2019.
  34. ^ "Ballina Byron Gateway Airport Climate Statistics". Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
  35. ^ "Paradise FM 101.9". Community Broadcasting Organisation of Australia, cbaa.org. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  36. ^ "Australian Schools Directory". www.australianschoolsdirectory.com.au. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  37. ^ "Private Schools Directory". www.privateschoolsdirectory.com.au. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  38. ^ "Ballina District Hospital | Northern NSW Local Health District". nnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  39. ^ "Nursing Homes / Aged Care Homes in Ballina, New South Wales". Aged Care Guide. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  40. ^ Ballina Bypass Roads & Traffic Authority
  41. ^ O'Neill, Kate (29 November 2011). "Ballina quiet as bypass opens". Northern Star. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
  42. ^ "Ballina-Byron Gateway Airport". Ballina Byron Gateway Airport. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  43. ^ "Ballina Airport Travel Guide". www.travelonline.com. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  44. ^ Council, Ballina Shire (7 March 2024). "Ballina Byron Gateway Airport Stronger Than Ever". Ballina Shire Council. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  45. ^ "Ballina Seagulls Rugby League Football Club". ballinaseagulls.com.au. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  46. ^ "Ballina Rugby Union Club". Ballina Rugby Union Club. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  47. ^ "Ballina Bombers JAFC". Ballina Bombers. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  48. ^ "Ballina Bears Cricket Club". www.ballinacricketclub.com.au. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  49. ^ "Play Cricket: Tintenbar East Ballina Cricket Club". play.cricket.com.au. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  50. ^ Saxby-Junna, Kerry at the International Association of Athletics Federations
  51. ^ "Sister City Agreement". ballina.nsw.gov.au. Archived from the original on 31 August 2007. Retrieved 10 July 2009.
[edit]
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Ballina (New South Wales).
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Tourist Drive 30.
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