Have you ever touched a seaturtle? Or been up close to a pelican? You can in Ballina!
Visit the Seabird Rescue Centre at Ballina (and meet the turtles too) The Australian Seabird Rescue, Research, Rehabilitation and Coastal Education Centre in Ballina is a fun and interactive experience for people of all ages. http://www.seabirdrescue.org.au The community group delivers training and education to the public for the capture, handling and first aid of all types of sea and shore birds around the Ballina and Richmond River area. It is also licensed to rescue, rehabilitate and release sea turtles. You will have the opportunity to learn about the turtles in their care and if you are lucky, witness their release on the [...]
Camp fires, clear skies and star gazing. Whales and Lanterns. Winter on the Byron Hinterland
What do the colder nights mean to you? Here are a few of the things we love to do on the clear nights at Alstonville in the Byron Hinterland. Stargazing The sky above Alstonville Country Cottages is perfect for stargazing. Unaffected by street lights, lie on your back on a rug or sit around the firepit and lose yourself in the mysteries of the sky. Or perhaps cooking damper on a stick or roasting sticky marshmallows is more your idea of fun. Tell stories as you sit around the open fire and listen to the noises of the rainforest or the [...]
Byron Hinterland Disclosed-unique places to eat and drink
Looking for somewhere different to eat or drink? Top quality restaurants hidden in the hills and villages of the Hinterland? Or perhaps you would prefer to relax and listen to music at a low key pop up event in a local village hall? Here are a selection of our favourite local places to eat and drink - away from the tourist trail. ALSTONVILLE Just five minutes from Alstonville Country Cottages is ESP Espresso Bar. A hole in the wall cafe on the Main St of Alstonville. Small in size but delicious in coffee smells and scrumptious treats and snacks. How about a piccolo [...]
The Miniature Farm at Alstonville Country Cottages
Did you know that Alstonville Country Cottages has a farm animal petting area? During your stay you and your family can feed and pet: the miniature goats, Muse and Aphrodite the Harlequin duck, Joker the guinea pigs, Bert and Ernie the dogs Taffy the Staffy and Captain the overgrown pup the chickens and the two horses, Karnie the Standardbred and Cobber the Arab. Or you can collect your own freshly laid eggs from chicken nesting boxes. Or you watch the bees busily collecting pollen to make honey in their hives with jars of their honey available for sale at the reception Goating [...]
Come fly with me! Ballina Byron Gateway Airport Upgrade
Did you know that Ballina Byron Gateway Airport has been expanded and upgraded? Stages 1 and 2 have been completed and stage 3 is due to be completed in mid 2019. $4.5 million from the NSW Government and $2.4 million from Ballina Shire Council has been invested in improving this essential tourist experience to the region. If you live in Newcastle, Sydney or Melbourne there are daily flights to Ballina or Lismore. Why drive when you can fly? Treat yourself to a short break up here on the beautiful Byron Ballina Hinterland. 536,000 passengers per annum pass through the Ballina Byron Gateway [...]
Where to have Fun at the Beach – Pet and family friendly beaches
We all want to have fun at the beach; luckily just moments away from Alstonville, the Ballina Shire has over 32km of golden sands, sheltered coves, spectacular surfing breaks and vast open beaches. There is a beach for everyone whether you are a family, have dogs, horses or a 4Wd, or perhaps you want to fish, sail or jetski. You will also find driving the Coast Road between Ballina and Lennox stunning. Dog Safety Following on from our last blog Travelling With Pets. Beach days can be a blast when you bring along a canine friend or two but taking a dog to [...]