The area
Near Ballina, without being downtown.
Ten minutes by car to River Street. Neighborhood quiet when you get back.
Staying in Cumbalum is a practical choice if you arrive at Ballina Byron Gateway Airport, about 12 minutes away, and want Ballina and Lennox Head equally close. Downtown has cafés, restaurants and the Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum.
Places
The area · Ballina
Thursday Plantation Visitor Centre
Visitor center connected to tea tree production. Check that it’s open before you go.
7 min by car
Thursday Plantation Visitor Centre
The area · Ballina
Northern Rivers Community Gallery
Community art gallery in downtown Ballina, a good pick for rainy days.
10 min by car
Northern Rivers Community Gallery
Cafés · Ballina
Cafe Boker
Café in Ballina, for breakfast or a break.
11 min by car
Cafe Boker
Cafés · Ballina
Belle Central
Café in Ballina, for breakfast or a break.
11 min by car
Cafés · Ballina
Kin Local Eatery
Café in Ballina, for breakfast or a break.
11 min by car
Kin Local Eatery
Cafés · Ballina
Green Coast Coffee
Café in Ballina, for breakfast or a break.
11 min by car
Green Coast Coffee
Cafés · Ballina
Shelly Beach Cafe
Beachfront café with Pacific views. Serves breakfast, lunch and cakes, with takeout available.
15 min by car
Shelly Beach Cafe
Cafés · Ballina
The Belle General
Breakfast and lunch with fresh options and classics, plus espresso, smoothies and house-made juices.
15 min by car
The Belle General
The area · Ballina
Richmond River Lighthouse
Lighthouse above the Ballina beaches. Guides mention sunrise views and whales during migration season.
15 min by car
Richmond River Lighthouse
Photo: Brett Matthews from Culburra Beach, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0
Distances and times are approximate, calculated from Aruna with OpenStreetMap and OSRM routing data, without traffic. Hours and ratings aren’t shown because they change: check with each place before you go. Data retrieved in November 2026.