Ballina and the Richmond River fishing spots

Ballina sits at the mouth of the Richmond River, one of the north coast's biggest estuaries. The training walls and Shaws Bay are the land-based hubs for mulloway, bream, luderick and tailor; the river and North Creek give flathead, whiting and jacks; and the headlands and beaches from Lennox Head to South Ballina fish well for bream, tailor and mulloway.

Updated 9 Oct 2026

9 spots here, all fished from land, plus 6 public boat ramps. Seasons follow our NSW North Coast species list for New South Wales. Positions are a guide only, not for navigation.

Under each spot, "Forecast for this spot" opens the app's forecast worked out for that spot: Go, Marginal or No-go for each day of the week ahead, with the best times, wind, waves and tide. Open the forecast.

Spots at a glance

9 spots: Ballina and the Richmond River
Spot	Type	Fished from	Water	Marine park
1. Seven Mile Beach (Lennox Head)	Beach	Land-based	Ocean coast	Cape Byron Marine Park; no-take zone nearby
2. Skennars Head	Headland	Land-based	Ocean coast	–
3. Sharpes Beach	Beach	Land-based	Ocean coast	–
4. Black Head & Shelly Beach (East Ballina)	Headland	Land-based	Ocean coast	–
5. Ballina north wall & Lighthouse Beach	Breakwall	Land-based	Ocean coast	–
6. Shaws Bay	Bay	Land-based and kayak	Bay, estuary or river	–
7. Mobbs Bay & south wall	Bay	Land-based and kayak	Bay, estuary or river	–
8. Burns Point	River	Land-based, boat and kayak	Bay, estuary or river	–
9. Patchs Beach (South Ballina)	Beach	Land-based	Ocean coast	–

1. Seven Mile Beach (Lennox Head)

Type: Beach · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Walk in from Lennox Head; 4WD only with a Ballina Shire permit, north from the Camp Drewe Road track.
What's good here: Peak in October: sand whiting, mulloway and dusky flathead. Also in season: tailor and yellowfin bream.
Best tide: Rising tide into high; dawn and dusk for tailor and mulloway.
Best wind: Light westerlies. Faces ESE.
Note: Long beach in a habitat protection zone of Cape Byron Marine Park: line fishing allowed, sharks and rays protected. Work the gutters for whiting and bream, tailor in the cooler months.
Safety: Unpatrolled away from Lennox Head; rips.
Zone: No-take zone nearby. Habitat protection zone; Broken Head sanctuary zone at the north end and the Lennox Point sanctuary zones at the south end: no fishing in them Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au map (PDF).
Map: -28.74840, 153.60110 · Open in Google Maps (position: Seven Mile Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

2. Skennars Head

Type: Headland · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Parking off the coast road; walk down to the ledges.
What's good here: In season in October: rock blackfish, yellowfin bream, luderick, tailor and tarwhine.
Best tide: Drummer in the wash on any tide; luderick on the run-in.
Best wind: Light westerlies and a small swell. Faces E.
Note: Basalt headland south of Lennox Head with washes for drummer, bream and luderick, and tailor at first light. Ballina Shire has declared high-risk rock fishing locations where lifejackets are law.
Safety: Ballina Shire declared rock-fishing area: lifejacket law applies at mapped locations ($100 fine). Rock fishing: wear a lifejacket and non-slip footwear, never fish alone, and watch the swell for 15 minutes before you go down.
Zone: South of Cape Byron Marine Park, which ends at Lennox Head Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au map (PDF).
Map: -28.83170, 153.60110 · Open in Google Maps (position: Skennars Head, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

3. Sharpes Beach

Type: Beach · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Beach car park off the coast road.
What's good here: Peak in October: mulloway and sand whiting. Also in season: yellowfin bream, tailor and luderick.
Best tide: Rising tide; dawn and dusk for mulloway and tailor.
Best wind: Light westerlies. Faces ESE.
Note: Short beach between Skennars Head and Flat Rock: a hole at the north end holds bream and school mulloway; rocky gutters at the south end suit luderick and bream.
Safety: Rips; patrolled only in season.
Zone: Not in a marine park Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -28.84010, 153.60110 · Open in Google Maps (position: Sharpes Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

4. Black Head & Shelly Beach (East Ballina)

Type: Headland · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Short walk from Shelly Beach, East Ballina.
What's good here: Peak in October: mulloway. Also in season: yellowfin bream, tailor, luderick and rock blackfish. Out of season now: Spanish mackerel.
Best tide: Luderick and bream on the run-in; mulloway around the changes after dark.
Best wind: Light westerlies; easterly swell makes the ledges dangerous. Faces SE.
Note: Rocky headland at East Ballina: bream, luderick and drummer in the washes, tailor at dawn, and mulloway and the odd mackerel in summer.
Safety: Ballina Shire declared rock-fishing area: lifejacket law applies at mapped locations. Rock fishing: wear a lifejacket and non-slip footwear, never fish alone, and watch the swell for 15 minutes before you go down.
Zone: Not in a marine park Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -28.86510, 153.60110 · Open in Google Maps (position: Black Head, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

5. Ballina north wall & Lighthouse Beach

Type: Breakwall · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. North Wall coastal walk from Lighthouse Beach; walk out along the wall.
What's good here: Peak in October: mulloway and sand whiting. Also in season: yellowfin bream, tailor, luderick and silver trevally.
Best tide: Mulloway around the tide changes; luderick and bream on a moving tide along the river side.
Best wind: Light westerlies; big seas wash the outer end. Faces ESE.
Note: The Richmond River's northern training wall: mulloway, bream, luderick and tailor, with tuna and the odd mackerel off the end in summer. Whiting on Lighthouse Beach beside it.
Safety: The Richmond River entrance is a designated coastal bar: rough water off the wall end. Rock fishing: wear a lifejacket and non-slip footwear, never fish alone, and watch the swell for 15 minutes before you go down.
Zone: Not in a marine park Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -28.88170, 153.58440 · Open in Google Maps (position: Lighthouse Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

6. Shaws Bay

Type: Bay · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based and kayak. Foreshore walkways around the bay at East Ballina.
What's good here: Peak in October: sand whiting and dusky flathead. Also in season: yellowfin bream, luderick, tailor and mangrove jack.
Best tide: Run-in tide; dusk for bream and jacks.
Best wind: Sheltered in most winds.
Note: Tidal lagoon off the lower river: bream, luderick and big tailor, plus jacks in summer. A lightly weighted prawn drifted at dusk is a local favourite.
Safety: Popular swimming spot: fish away from swimmers.
Zone: Not in a marine park Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -28.86510, 153.58440 · Open in Google Maps (position: Shaws Bay, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

7. Mobbs Bay & south wall

Type: Bay · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based and kayak. South Ballina side, reached by the Burns Point ferry.
What's good here: Peak in October: sand whiting, dusky flathead and mulloway. Also in season: yellowfin bream and luderick.
Best tide: Run-in over the sand for whiting; last of the run-out for flathead.
Best wind: Sheltered inside the entrance; fishable in most winds.
Note: Sandy bay inside the southern training wall: whiting and flathead on the flats, bream and luderick along the wall, mulloway in the deeper water near the entrance.
Safety: Strong tidal currents near the entrance.
Zone: Not in a marine park Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -28.88170, 153.56770 · Open in Google Maps (position: Mobbs Bay, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

8. Burns Point

Type: River · bay, estuary or river
Access: Land-based, boat and kayak. Riverside reserve by the Burns Point ferry, South Ballina.
What's good here: Peak in October: dusky flathead, mulloway and sand whiting. Also in season: yellowfin bream and mud crab.
Best tide: Bream around the turn of the tide; flathead on the run-out.
Best wind: Sheltered.
Note: Lower Richmond reach around the ferry crossing: structure for bream, sand edges for flathead and whiting, and deep holes for mulloway.
Safety: Keep well clear of the vehicle ferry and its cables.
Zone: Not in a marine park Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -28.88170, 153.53440 · Open in Google Maps (position: Burns Point, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

9. Patchs Beach (South Ballina)

Type: Beach · ocean coast (beach or rocks)
Access: Land-based. Walk-in; reached via the Burns Point ferry or through Wardell. Vehicles are no longer allowed on the beach.
What's good here: Peak in October: sand whiting and mulloway. Also in season: tailor and yellowfin bream.
Best tide: Rising tide; dawn and dusk.
Best wind: Light westerlies. Faces SE.
Note: Long, quiet beach south of the river with well-formed gutters: mulloway and big whiting in spring and early summer, tailor in the cooler months. Beach worms are the bait.
Safety: Remote and unpatrolled; rips.
Zone: Not in a marine park Guide only, not for navigation: check dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Map: -28.95670, 153.50380 · Open in Google Maps (position: Patches Beach, Composite Gazetteer of Australia)
Forecast: Forecast for this spot

Boat ramps

6 public boat ramps are listed for Ballina and the Richmond River, with positions from Maritime NSW Boat Ramps. Lanes, parking and tide access are as the data says: check them on the day.

Boat ramps: Ballina and the Richmond River
Ramp	Notes	Position
Fishery Creek ramp, West Ballina	North Creek / Fishery Creek. 2 lanes with pontoon; about 75 trailer parks; usable at all tides; toilets, fish-cleaning table; condition good (TfNSW).	-28.86498, 153.54674 Google Maps
Ballina Yacht Club ramp	Richmond River. 2 lanes; about 25 trailer parks; usable at all tides; fish-cleaning table; condition good (TfNSW).	-28.87368, 153.56685 Google Maps
Emigrant Creek ramp, West Ballina	Emigrant Creek. 2 lanes with pontoon; about 20 trailer parks; usable at all tides; condition good (TfNSW).	-28.86452, 153.52287 Google Maps
Faulks Reserve ramp, West Ballina	Richmond River. 1 lane with pontoon; about 24 trailer parks; usable at all tides; toilets; condition good (TfNSW).	-28.87069, 153.53061 Google Maps
Cawarra Park ramp (North Creek)	Richmond River (North Creek). 1 lane; about 10 trailer parks; shallow at low tide; toilets, fish-cleaning table; condition fair (TfNSW).	-28.86017, 153.57066 Google Maps
East Wardell ramp	Richmond River. 1 lane; about 10 trailer parks; usable at all tides; fish-cleaning table; condition good (TfNSW).	-28.95466, 153.46529 Google Maps

What's biting here in October?

In peak season at Ballina and the Richmond River in October: sand whiting, mulloway, dusky flathead, sand and tiger flathead and 2 more. Of the 29 species our NSW North Coast list has for this part of the coast, 6 peak in October 2026 and 18 more are in season.

Peak in October: sand whiting, mulloway, dusky flathead, sand and tiger flathead, snapper and Australian bass.

Also in season: yellowfin bream, tailor, luderick, rock blackfish, tarwhine, silver trevally, mud crab, mangrove jack, yellowtail kingfish, leatherjacket, eastern sea garfish, blue swimmer crab, southern calamari, mackerel tuna, Australian bonito, marlin, yellowfin tuna and school and eastern king prawns.

Out of season in October: Spanish mackerel (best Feb–May); mahi mahi (best Dec–Apr); cobia (best Feb–May).

Seen now and then, so not rated: Australian salmon and estuary perch.

Seasons are closure-aware: a species is never listed as in season, for the area or at a spot, while it is closed there; a closure for part of the area says where. Species links go to our South East Queensland species guides, with Queensland's limits: New South Wales' own size and bag limits are on the official rules page.

Can you fish here? Rules and safety

NSW Recreational Fishing Fee needed to fish NSW saltwater (incl. spearfishing, hand gathering, bait collecting, prawning): $7 3 days, $14 1 month, $35 1 year, $85 3 years (Oct 2026). Exempt: under 18, Aboriginal people, Pensioner Concession Card and DVA TPI/EDA Gold Card holders (other cases, e.g. some DVA payments or a charter or guide with an exemption certificate, are on the exemptions page). Interstate licences are not an exemption. Licence details. Size and bag limits and closed seasons apply: New South Wales' limits (checked 9 Oct 2026).

Rules at Ballina and the Richmond River

Rock Fishing Safety Act: lifejackets are law at Ballina Shire's declared high-risk rock fishing locations ($100 on-the-spot fine).
From Lennox Head north, Cape Byron Marine Park zoning applies: no fishing in sanctuary zones; sharks and rays protected in habitat protection zones.
Seven Mile Beach 4WD access needs a Ballina Shire permit and is limited to the stretch north of the Camp Drewe Road track; council plans to phase it out.

Marine parks and no-take zones

The zone notes here name Cape Byron Marine Park. A no-take zone starts close to Seven Mile Beach (Lennox Head): its zone note says where. Zones are a guide only, not for navigation: check the official maps before you fish.

Safety at Ballina and the Richmond River

The Richmond River entrance is a designated coastal bar: get local advice and wear lifejackets crossing.
Ballina Shire has declared high-risk rock fishing locations where a lifejacket is compulsory (see the official map).
Beaches south of the river are remote and unpatrolled.

New South Wales: official links

Read the official forecast and warnings in the Bureau of Meteorology's own words: NSW coastal and local waters forecast map and current warnings.

Boating: New South Wales boating safety, crossing coastal bars and lifejacket rules. Lifejackets: Boats <=4.8m: always on open waters and bars (L100+); enclosed waters when alone or at night. >4.8m: all wear L100+ crossing bars. Under-12s: always on <=4.8m; open areas <=8m underway.

Heading out on the water? Log on and off with Marine Rescue NSW. Log On when you head out and Log Off when you return. Call your Marine Rescue NSW base on VHF Channel 16 or use the free Marine Rescue NSW app. If you don't Log Off, volunteers start searching.

Marine parks and closed areas: NSW marine parks (Cape Byron, Solitary Islands, Port Stephens-Great Lakes, Jervis Bay, Batemans, Lord Howe Island), NSW aquatic reserves, Intertidal protected areas (Sydney) and Australian Marine Parks (Temperate East network, Lord Howe).

Rock fishing lifejacket law: Lifejacket required by law when rock fishing in declared areas (Rock Fishing Safety Act 2016): Ballina, Central Coast, Kiama, Lake Macquarie, Northern Beaches, Port Stephens, Randwick, Richmond Valley, Sutherland, Wollongong. $100 fine. More.

New South Wales' official rules: size and bag limits and closed seasons and areas (checked 9 Oct 2026).

Emergency: 000 (112 from mobiles) · VHF channel 16 for distress.

Nearby fishing areas

Evans Head (about 31 km south)
Brunswick Heads and Byron Bay (about 37 km north)
Yamba, Iluka and the Clarence River (about 64 km south)
Tweed Heads and Kingscliff (about 69 km north)

Distances are between the middle of each area. Every area in New South Wales · all fishing spot guides.

Sources and checked dates

Spot and ramp positions: Composite Gazetteer of Australia (Geoscience Australia and the state and territory naming authorities), CC BY 4.0, ABS Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) Edition 3 (2021) (Australian Bureau of Statistics), CC BY 4.0 and Maritime NSW Boat Ramps (Transport for NSW), CC BY 4.0; gazetteer and ABS positions through our place index. Guide only, not for navigation.
Spot research checked 9 Oct 2026 and fact-checked 9 Oct 2026; species seasons and rules checked 9 Oct 2026; safety links checked 9 Oct 2026. Text in our own words.
Research sources: nsw.gov.au (NSW rock fishing lifejacket law: declared areas include Ballina Shire; $100 fine; lifejacket standards); nsw.gov.au (Ballina Shire high-risk rock fishing declared areas map); ballina.nsw.gov.au (Ballina Shire 4WD beach permits: Seven Mile Beach only, north of the Camp Drewe Road track); nbnnews.com.au (Patchs Beach closed to 4WDs by council (2020)); echo.net.au (Ballina Shire plan to phase out recreational 4WD access on Seven Mile Beach); exploroz.com (ExplorOz NSW fishing spots (search summary only): Richmond walls species, Shaws Bay dusk prawns, Burns Point bream, Sharpes Beach hole and gutters, Black Head summer species, South Ballina spring mulloway and whiting); visitnsw.com (Patchs Beach access via the Burns Point ferry or Wardell); dpird.nsw.gov.au (Cape Byron Marine Park zoning map: Seven Mile Beach habitat protection zone, Lennox Head and Broken Head sanctuary zones); nsw.gov.au (Designated NSW coastal bars on the north coast (Transport for NSW)); placenames.gov.au (Spot coordinates: the site place index (public/data/places), built from the Composite Gazetteer of Australia (Geoscience Australia and state naming authorities) and ABS ASGS 2021, CC BY 4.0); opendata.transport.nsw.gov.au (Boat ramp coordinates, lanes, parking, tide access and facilities: Maritime NSW Boat Ramps dataset (Transport for NSW, Creative Commons Attribution), metadata updated 3 Oct 2026); spatial.industry.nsw.gov.au (Zone check of every spot and ramp: NSW Marine Protected Areas zone polygons (DPIRD spatial service), distances computed 9 Oct 2026).
Every source and licence: Sources and disclaimers.