Things to do in

Ballina

Join Byron Bay's #1 tour. Depart from Ballina’s Richmond River and enter the pristine waters of Cape Byron Marine Park. Encounter astonishing humpback whales in their natural habitat as they migrate past the breathtaking coastline between Ballina and Byron Bay. A friendly Marine Biologist will share in-depth knowledge of the area and humpback whale encounters that you'll get to experience within Byron’s Marine Park. You can also listen to live humpback whale song using a specialised underwater hydrophone. The purpose-built eco-vessels seat 25 & 20 guests with a 360-degree views for unparalleled whale watching and sightseeing experiences. The vessels have a unique hull design, which ensures a smooth, comfortable ride in all cruising conditions. The friendly, professional team guarantees a first-class, unmatched, eco tour to remember. There is no better time for whale watching along our coastline. Cruise times operate at 7:30am, 10am, 12:30pm & 3pm daily with whales guaranteed on every trip!

Come with us to see Australian wildlife in the wild – not a zoo or sanctuary. Our Wildlife Safari takes you to three different habitats near Byron Bay. You’ll visit eucalyptus forest, rainforest and grassland to discover the animals that live there. We guarantee you’ll see a koala or two, a mob of kangaroo, a whole colony of flying fox and many species of bird. If conditions are right you may also see pademelon, echidna, tawny frogmouth and water dragons. You’ll journey in style and comfort, either in our cozy eight-seater hybrid vehicle or our spacious 12-seater bus, depending on the group size for the tour. Learn to spot the different between a kangaroo and wallaby, or a grey-headed flying fox and a black one. Along the way you will be amazed at the abundant birdlife. Native hens, ducks and waders; noisy colourful parrots; iconic kookaburra; magpies; currawong; tiny flitting wrens and robins, are just some of the birdlife we see on this tour. We are an award winning eco-tour company and we are passionate about what we do. As with all our eco-tours, it is our goal to observe but not disturb the wildlife. If you want to feed or pat the wildlife, this is not the tour for you. On this tour we travel to where the animals live so it involves a bit of driving. We start with a 45-minute drive to our first stop and end the day with a 1-hour drive back to Byron Bay. In between there are short drives and walks. Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements when you book. As with all our our eco tours, we request that you try and wear dark clothing if possible. We don’t draw attention to ourselves, to the wildlife that we are trying to see. Minimum 2, Maximum 10. What's included: Return transport Environmental scientist as a guide Use of binoculars Access to photographs Picnic lunch Water refills What to bring: Water bottle Jacket (depending on weather) Covered Shoes Please wear dark clothes if possible Pick ups We are happy to pick you up from your Byron shire or Ballina shire accommodation

The Ballina & Byron Bay coast plays host to resident pods of bottle nose dolphins all year round. They number between 80 and 120, depending on the time of year, but they always provide our passengers of all ages a thrill, an experience to remember; something that always brings a smile to everyone’s face. Explore breathtaking coastline, encounter dolphins, turtles, and other wildlife in Cape Byron Marine Park with a marine Biologist Guide. Bottlenose Dolphins are spotted in their natural habitat as they play and swim along the coastline between Ballina and Byron Bay on our incredible Dolphin Cruise. We depart from Ballina’s Richmond River and enter the pristine waters of Cape Byron Marine Park. Our friendly Marine Biologist will share in-depth knowledge of the area & marine creature encounters we experience within Byron’s Marine Park. Learn about our local pods of dolphins, their habits and behaviours. We are so sure you’ll spot a dolphin that we offer a free return trip if you don’t see one on your first Dolphin Cruise! Discover the diversity of Australia’s marine beauty aboard a purpose-built boat, sailing for 1.5 hours through magnificent Byron Bay. Board our eco-friendly vessel and meet your marine biologist guides, gaze at 360-degree views of the vast cliff faces, solitary islands, and hidden beaches of the Ballina - Byron coastline, all the while learning about wildlife, the history of the area, and locals-only insights. As you sail comfortably through the pristine waters, keep your eyes peeled for a wide variety of sea life. Marvel at playful dolphins, surfing the waves coming off of the hull. Look for majestic sea turtles.

You will spend about an hour exploring koala habitat and spotting koalas. Afterwards we will treat you to morning tea of local tea or coffee and delicious Byron Bay cookies. We guarantee that you will see koalas. How many you see varies. Sometimes the ones you do see are asleep high up in the trees – that’s koalas for you! We estimate that you will see between two and 10. Koalas are in danger of extinction. As an eco-tour company we hold to a high standard of care and responsibility. This means we do what we can to protect and preserve them. We vary the locations for our koala tours to minimise our impact. We also go a step further. For each person on the tour, Vision Walks makes a donation the relevant Koala organisation (depending on the area we visited). You will not be able to touch or feed any koalas on this tour. You'll journey in style and comfort, either in our cozy eight-seater hybrid vehicle or our spacious 12-seater bus, depending on the group size for the tour. Please let us know if you have any special dietary requirements when you book. Minimum 2, Maximum 10. What's included: Return transport Environmental scientist as a guide Use of binoculars Access to photographs Morning / afternoon tea Water refills What to bring: Water bottle Hat Jacket (depending on weather) Covered Shoes Pick ups We are happy to pick you up from your Byron shire, Ballina shire, or Lismore accommodation

Cruise along the Richmond River to explore the natural beauty and tranquil waters of Ballina Island on a 2-hour tour. Sit back, relax and enjoy some tasty refreshments as your expert guide provides live commentary. Look out for local wildlife, such as our resident pod of dolphins and rare birds. Explore the mangrove forests and creeks that branch off the river. Relax on the water as you look out for the rich flora and fauna. Bask in the glorious evening sun as you enjoy a cold drink, tasty refreshments, and learn some local history from your marine biologist guide. Sit back as the boat winds its way down the beautiful river to where it meets the sea. Our River Cruises are the perfect combination of leisure with a hint of fast-paced excitement. Let us show you the sights, sounds, and wildlife that you cannot see from the shore. Our tours go through the mangrove forests, down the creeks, showcasing the richly diverse flora and fauna unique to this region along the way. Head to Mobb's Bay and cruise around Pimlico Island before heading back to shore. Learn about wildlife, local points of interest & history of the area from our Marine Biologist guide. Many rare birds and sea creatures such as dolphins can be spotted along the river, and for real nature lovers, it can be quite a thrill to see these animals in real life and up close. Beautiful sunset views are a treat from the boat, and for photography lovers, this makes for the prime opportunity to get some rare, beautiful shots to bring back with you. Our trips cater to groups large and small and are perfect for children and adults. Whether you and a loved one are looking for an intimate evening out on the river, or you want to teach your kids more about Australian wildlife, our tours can cater to your group’s specific needs. Relaxing, exciting, and informative, our cruises will let you experience the natural landscape and the river like never before. 2 complimentary cold beverages and locally made sweet & savoury delights. Please bring your hat, sunnies, camera & your sense of adventure!