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Lennox Head |
Lennox Head is a really beautiful coastal village about 10 minutes north of Ballina and 15 minutes south of Byron Bay.
The indigenous inhabitants of the area now known as Lennox Head are of the Bundjalung Nation. According to Bundjalung Aboriginal Dreamtime, three brothers settled on what is now known as Seven Mile Beach and one of them, Yarbirri, produced a flow of fresh water by thrusting his spear into the sand. At low tide there is said to be a stain marking the spot from where the water flowed.
Captain Rous of HMS Rainbow named Lennox Head in 1828. Apparently the name was originally given to a headland further south where the Ballina Lighthouse now stands.
The North Coast still holds the magic of yesteryear with some truly classic surfing breaks, long right hand point setups yet with great left-handers if you know where to look.
World famous for its surf breaks, the beaches are only seasonally patrolled and if you are not a strong swimmer it may be worth considering Lake Ainsworth situated 50 metres behind the dunes at the southern end of Seven Mile Beach. The calm waters of the lake make it an ideal swimming and picnic spot for families. Lake Ainsworth is also home to the Department of Sport and Recreation’s fitness camp and the site of the Monthly Sunday Lennox Markets, which offer a wide variety of goods from crafts to tropical fruit and vegetables.
more. Local Market details
Unfortunately from time to time, especially in summer, Blue Green Algae may affect Lake Ainsworth.
more. Lake Ainsworth and Blue Green Algae
Seven Mile Beach has a small seasonally patrolled area just front of the Surf Life Saving Club, near lake Ainsworth. Rips are common on this long beautiful beach and care must be taken unless you are familiar with the dangers of rips and are a very strong swimmer.
Lennox Point is the classic point break rated as one of the top 10 in Australia. Lennox Point works best with a southwest to south wind blowing and a swell from the south-to-south east. Waves sometimes have exceeded 4 metres but usually 2 -3 metres are best when the sand banks are right and the swell conditions are good, solid and clean. The entry is over loose rocks and injuries are unfortunately quite common. The shoreline is littered with large round rocks making both entry and exit something to be treated with respect and patience. Timing is of uttermost importance. Not a break for beginners or the faint hearted.
Boulders Beach south of Lennox Point works in similar swell and wind to the Point but is a gentler wave, but care is again needed on entry and exit. Fishing is dangerous from the peg in a big swell as many have been washed off and tragedy has been the consequence.
Flat Rock is south of Boulders and it tends to work better with south east swell and winds from the west. The flat wave makes it a long boarders paradise. Although the left hander on the "Backside" of the reef at Flat Rock, which incidentally, is the most eastern reef in Australia, is a class wave and in 2-3 metre conditions is only for the experienced. Getting out can see you washed over the reef.
Ballina is 10 minutes drive further south and here you find calmer swimming areas more suitable for young children such as the tidal pool at Shelly Beach, Missingham Beach and Shaw's Bay. Surfing beaches vary from North Wall, which picks up swell when all else is flat, Trestles, Speeds, South Wall and Missingham Bridge, a river mouth break, are all surfable in the right conditions. The ferry ride to South Wall in northerly conditions makes for a surf safari that can end in lefthanders that will leave you stoked. The long white Patches beach is great for some walking exercise.
more. Ballina Council
more. Northern Rivers Tourism
more. Current dive conditions at Julian Rock from Pantula
more. Tide advice
more. A guide to Australia's marine forecasts and warnings
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