Ballina

Ballina Family

From water play and junior sport to library sessions and bush-based holiday programs, Ballina families have practical ways to spend time together, build skills and meet other local families. When extra help is needed, there are also early-years, disability, developmental, family and youth services with clearly defined pathways.

🏊 Play, movement and junior sport

Ballina Memorial Pool & Waterslide

Families can swim in heated 50-metre and semi-enclosed 25-metre pools, visit the children’s splash park or enjoy the waterslide park. Learn-to-swim programs begin from six months of age. Wheelchair ramps, accessible change rooms and parent-friendly facilities support a wider range of visitors. Check the live timetable before setting out, as programs and pool use can affect what is available.

Wild Kids & Co

Baby and toddler sensory-play classes run during school terms at The Boulevard in Ballina. Sessions are divided into age groups—6 weeks to 6 months, 5–10 months, 10–18 months and 18 months to 3 years—so activities can be matched more closely to each developmental stage. Creative workshops, open-play sessions and birthday parties are offered at different times.

Ballina Bombers Junior AFL Club

Young players can learn and play Australian football at Fripp Oval. Auskick and Superkick welcome girls and boys aged 5–12, while the club also fields junior under-9 and under-11 teams and youth teams for boys and girls from under-13 to under-17. Registration is required, so families should check the club’s current season information before attending.

📚 Learning, holidays and shared experiences

Richmond Tweed Regional Library – Ballina Library

Ballina Library offers children’s books and family access to the broader Richmond Tweed Regional Library collection and services. Early-years activities have included Baby Time, Toddler Time and Story Time, with other events changing throughout the year. Check the current events calendar or contact the branch before attending rather than relying on a previous session schedule.

Rainbow Children’s Centre Inc – OOSH Vacation Care

Primary-school children from Kindergarten to Year 6 can attend care during school holidays and on pupil-free days. Ballina-area locations include Ballina Public School and Southern Cross K–12 School in East Ballina. Bookings are released for each holiday period and places are subject to availability, making early planning useful for working parents and carers.

Wise Earth Bush School – Holiday Program

School-holiday bush days bring together children from different educational backgrounds, including home-schooled children. Programs take place at locations across Ballina and Byron shires, with the exact site shared closer to each holiday period. Booking is required, so confirm the location and relevant participation details for the particular day before making travel plans.

🌱 Early childhood and family wellbeing

Bunjum Aboriginal Corporation – Jarjum Bugal Nah Childcare & Family Centre

Bunjum operates Jarjum Bugal Nah Childcare & Family Centre in Ballina, delivering early-childhood programs based on the Early Years Learning Framework. Its Early Years Family Worker supports Aboriginal children aged 0–8 and their families in Ballina, Cabbage Tree Island and surrounding areas.

Northern NSW Local Health District – Child and Family Health Nursing Clinic

Based at Ballina Community Health, the clinic provides free support for children from birth to five years and their families. Services include developmental screening, home visits for new babies and follow-ups, feeding assistance, parenting support, and sleep and settling information. Immunisation appointments are available for children aged six weeks to five years and must be booked.

Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service – Child & Family Health Clinic

Bullinah provides Aboriginal health services for Goori people in and around Ballina. Its dedicated Child & Family Health Clinic is located at 113 Tamar Street. Families should contact the clinic directly to discuss the child and family health support currently available and the appropriate way to access it.

🧩 Developmental and disability support

Sunshine Speech & Allied Health

This Ballina paediatric service provides speech pathology and occupational therapy at 62 Tamar Street. Areas of support include speech, language, feeding, swallowing, augmentative and alternative communication, sensory processing and motor development. Small-group therapy programs also address children’s communication, social, emotional and motor development. Contact the practice to discuss which service may fit your child’s needs.

Biala Support Services

Biala supports children and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities, as well as their families, in the Ballina region. Its offerings include NDIS disability services and specialised education through Biala School. Families can approach the organisation to explore the relevant service and applicable access arrangements.

🤝 Parenting, youth and family support

The Family Centre – Child & Family Services

Ballina Shire residents with a dependent child or young person aged 0–12 can access free family support. An initial assessment helps identify the family’s goals, followed by assistance that may include parenting and relationship skills, practical information, and connections with other services. Meetings may take place in Ballina, at home or at another agreed location.

Social Futures – FCS Brighter Beginnings

Families with children aged 0–5 can receive free help navigating early supports. The program can connect families with health, wellbeing, family, NDIS and practical assistance across Ballina and surrounding Northern Rivers areas. Families may self-refer and do not need a referral letter.

Social Futures – Reconnect

Reconnect offers free early-intervention counselling, mediation and practical help for young people aged 12–18 who may be at risk of homelessness due to family relationship breakdown. Covering Ballina within its Northern Rivers service area, the program can also work with families on communication, relationships and stable living arrangements.

Social Futures – Elements Youth and Family Counselling

Children, young people, parents and carers in Ballina can access free family counselling through this Northern Rivers service. Conversations may cover relationships, boundaries, mental health challenges, or alcohol and other drug concerns. Support generally involves four to six appointments; check current waiting times directly when making contact.

❤ Family and domestic violence support

Mullumbimby Neighbourhood Centre – Women’s Resource Service

Women and children affected by domestic, family or sexual violence who live in Ballina, Byron or Tweed shires can seek appointment-based support. Available assistance includes information and referrals, case coordination, advocacy, interim counselling and support groups. This is not a crisis service, so contact the program to discuss appointments and suitable support.

✅ Before you book or visit

• Check age and eligibility: several programs have firm age ranges, school-year requirements, residency areas or cultural eligibility.
• Confirm bookings: holiday care, bush programs, immunisation clinics, counselling and some activities require registration or an appointment.
• Ask about access: discuss mobility, communication, sensory, personal-care or other accessibility requirements directly with the provider.
• Review current details: timetables, holiday locations, vacancies, waiting times, program dates and costs can change.
• Clarify supervision: check whether a parent or carer stays, whether care is provided, and what children should bring.

📌 Run a family-focused business, service, activity or community group serving Ballina and nearby families? You’re warmly invited to add your own listing or update its details so parents and carers can find accurate, practical information.

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