Ballina has two beaches patrolled by the same surf life saving club, Shelly and Lighthouse. Shelly Beach (NSW 27) is located between the 40 m high Black and Ballina heads and backed by the higher ground of Richmond Hill and the residential development of East Ballina. Access and parking is provided at both ends of the 700 m long beach, and at two central car parks. The beach faces southeast exposing it to the dominant southerly waves. This aspect combined with its fine to medium sand produces a surf dominated by three large rips cutting across the inner bar, one against either headland, and a more variable central rip, the three often connected by a continuous trough. The rips, outer bar and headlands provide good surf, but are a hazard for swimmers. On the southern side of Ballina Head is Lighthouse Beach (NSW 28) is one of the State's newest beaches in that it only came into existence after the construction of the adjacent Richmond River entrance walls in the early 1900s. The construction caused what was then known as Shaws Bay to fill with sand, building not only the beach but also 30 ha of prime beachfront real estate which was developed in the 1970s. The 700 m long beach is now located between Ballina Head and the northern training wall (Figs. 4.20 & 4.21). Good access is provided from the car park at the surf club under Ballina Head, and from the road that runs behind the beach to a car park against the entrance wall, with a grassy reserve between the road and beach. This is popular beach, however it usually has rips and strong currents, and has long been regarded as dangerous. The Surf Club was formed in 1932 and preforms a relatively high average of 47 rescues a year. read more

Beach Length: 0.7km