The Lennox Ballina Coastal Path is an extremely scenic, bitumen 13 kilometre long shared path from Lennox Head to the Ballina CBD. Featuring gorgeous coastal views and lush rainforests, it’s definitely a recommended ride in northern NSW.
Lennox to Pat Morton Lookout
If you are driving to the start point of the Lennox Coastal Path, there is convenient parking in Rutherford Street. Please note however, that this area can be very busy on the weekends and public holidays.
Heading south from Lennox Beach, there is a gradual climb to Pat Morton Lookout.
Definitely worth the climb for the views!
Pat Morton Lookout to Sharpes Beach
From Pat Morton Lookout, a walking track with plenty of steps heads up to the top of Lennox Head. However, if you’re cycling, cross the grass to re-join the bike path to Ballina.
A feature of this next section is the beautiful coastal vegetation.
After two kilometres, you take a detour away from the coast to skirt around Skennar’s Head, returning to the ocean at Sharpes Beach.
Sharpes Beach to Ballina Head Lookout
Following the bikeway through more lovely rainforests,
you eventually come to a sharp climb up to the Ballina Head Lookout.
Ballina Head Lookout to Ballina CBD
A highlight of the next section of the Lennox Ballina Coastal Path is cycling along the North Wall breakwater.
It’s well worth a short detour east along the North Wall to see where the surf breaks across the bar at the mouth of the Richmond River.
To approach the Ballina CBD, you follow the path across the North Creek bridge.
From there, it’s a one kilometre ride beside the Richmond River to Ballina CBD, where you can turn around or continue through to West Ballina.
Map of the Lennox Ballina Coastal Path
You can get a paper map of this and other bike paths in the area from the Ballina Shire Council or local information centres, but this gpx file may be useful for negotiating your way around Skennar’s Head.
Summary of the Lennox Ballina Coastal Path
- Length: 13 kilometres one way.
- Difficulty: Easy, with a few sharp climbs.
- Surface: Bitumen except for the grass at Pat Morton Lookout. You could walk that section.
- Suitable for any bikes, but due to leaves on the path in the rainforest sections, a gravel or hybrid bike might be better than a road bike.
- Signage: Limited, but except for the section around Skennars Head the route is fairly obvious.
- Best Times: Suitable for most times of the year, taking care of course on hot or wet days.
- Water and toilets: Available at Lennox Head, Shelly Beach, Lighthouse Beach, North Wall Ballina and Ballina.
- Coffee and Food: Lots of options at Lennox Head, but I recommend Kopi Lennox, the Point Cafe, Shelter and Williams Street. At Shelly Beach, the Shelly Beach Cafe has bike racks and a beautiful view over the ocean. The Belle General is also good.
- Bike Hire: I had an extremely good experience hiring an eBike from Ballina Byron Bike Hire.
I only had a short time in Lennox Heads, but next time I am in the area I would like to take the Burns Point Ferry from West Ballina and ride along River Drive to the Wardell Pie Shop (about 13 kilometres one way).
Can you recommend any other good rides in the area?
Another great ride I have enjoyed further south in NSW is the Tumbarumba Rosewood Rail Trail.
