Tourist Drive 30 or Byron Bay Tourist route is a tourist drive in and around Byron Bay. In spite of the alternate name "Byron Bay", parts of it are in Ballina. It is just another one of those north coast New South Wales tourist drives except by the coast and next to some of NSW's best beaches. The drive is operated by Ballina Shire.

Understand

Tourist Drive 30 isn't a drive that many people specifically go to. However, it is an extremely popular drive for those who'd want to stop and take a break and explore something along their way to Brisbane from Sydney or vice versa. Many people also come and use this drive to go to the most easterly point of the Australian Mainland at 1 Cape Byron. (updated Mar 2021).

Prepare

You won't need anything so special for this trip. Everything on this drive is within 40 minutes' reach from end to end during peak hour.

Get in

There are two ways to enter this drive: one through Ballina (New South Wales) on the south (B60/A1) and the other through Byron Bay in the north (M1/B62/Tourist Drive 24). Since this is a route used as a stopover for those travelling to Brisbane or Sydney, these exits can get congested during peak hour and holiday periods.

The route also passes through Ballina-Byron Airport, so that's also another option.

Get around

There are several modes of travel that are used on Tourist Drive 30.

By bus or train

Most of this route is not covered by buses or trains. Buses do operate through Byron Bay and Ballina.

By car

See Driving in Australia

This is a very car-friendly route with travelling by car being the most easiest and fastest option.

By bike

This route is one of the most bike-friendly routes in New South Wales.

Go

Many visitors will wonder how much there is to see in such a short drive. The answer is: a lot.

Ballina to Lennox Head

Along the way from Ballina to Lennox Head, it is home to the 2 Big Prawn. (updated Mar 2021), one of the 150 mega roadside sculptures of Australia.

Drive

• 1 Ballina. Start the drive here and see the Big Prawn. (updated Mar 2021)
• 2 Lennox Head. Stop here and relax on the beach. (updated Mar 2021)
• 3 Suffolk Park. Another location to stop and relax on the beach or have a surf here. (updated Mar 2021)
• 4 Byron Bay. Home to many Australian movie and music stars. (updated Mar 2021)

Stay safe

Be careful of drink spiking - always keep your drink in view and don't accept drinks from strangers. If a stranger does shout you a drink make sure it is the drink you want and watch the drink being poured and handed over to you without it leaving your sight. Never get a stranger to buy a drink on your behalf with your money. They could buy something else and drink it themselves. If you are refused a drink by the bar there is a good reason why.

• Swimming - always swim between the red and yellow flags. Avoid swimming at night especially on your own. Follow all instructions from lifeguards
• Surfing - always surf between the white and black flags. Avoid surfing at night especially on your own. Follow all instructions from lifeguards

5 North Coast Medical Centre, 24 Shirley St, ☏ +61 2 6685 8666, reception@northcoastmedicalcentre.com.au. M-F 9AM-6PM. Need a doctor? You'll find both traditional and alternative ones at this medical centre. 

Go next

Go and explore Tourist Drive 38; another coastal Tourist Drive