Major city · Australia
Lennox Head
Give Lennox Head 2 nights if you surf or want a quiet beach base; 1 night is enough if you are just breaking the drive between Ballina and Byron Bay.
Lennox Head is a small coastal village on the Northern Rivers between Ballina and Byron Bay, known for its long right-hand point break, the freshwater Lake Ainsworth and Seven Mile Beach. It is a base for beach days, not a sightseeing town: two nights covers the point, the lake and the headland walk, and it works as a quieter alternative to Byron Bay.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- Sep–Nov and Mar–May
- avoid Dec–Jan (school holidays, peak prices), Feb–Mar (wettest)
- Airports
- BNK · OOL
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Lennox Head000 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Lennox Head, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$).Australia-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.Australia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps.Australia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.Australia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Australia-wide
- SafetyA safe, quiet beach town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.Australia-wide
- Emergency numbers000 police, fire, ambulance · 112 From mobiles
- Sundays & holidaysChristmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 15:00; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 3:00 PM; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Australia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBNK Ballina Byron Gateway Airport (About a 10–15 min drive; direct flights from Sydney and some Melbourne services.).
- Getting aroundThe village is walkable, but the beach, lake and headland are spread over a few kilometres.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
- Street or quick mealCafé breakfastA$15–25 (≈ US$10–17)
- BeerDraught beer, pubA$8–12 (≈ US$6–8)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi, village to BallinacheckA$30–45 (≈ US$20–30)
- Budget bedHostel or backpacker bed, a night, per personA$45 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedMotel or holiday-unit double, a night, per roomA$190 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedMotel or holiday-unit double, a night, per roomA$320 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$90 (≈ US$60) · Mid A$160 (≈ US$110) · High A$280 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BNK Ballina Byron Gateway Airport (About a 10–15 min drive; direct flights from Sydney and some Melbourne services.) · OOL Gold Coast Airport, Coolangatta (Under 1 hour by road; more airlines and routes.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Feb
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Care
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Aug
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Nov
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Dec
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Apr–May, Sep–Nov. Mixed: Mar. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jul (9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) low), wettest Mar (15 rain days), driest Jul (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Lennox Head: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
15 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
12 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Jul
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Oct
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Nov
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
11 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The village is walkable, but the beach, lake and headland are spread over a few kilometres. There is no taxi rank: book a cab in advance. Public buses (Route 640) link the airport, Ballina, Lennox Head and Byron Bay seven days a week; services are limited, so a car helps for day trips.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ballina
goDoor to door: About 20–30 min
Drive or Route 640 bus, about 15 min
River mouth, lighthouse walk and a bigger choice of shops.
Door to door: About 30 min
Drive or bus, about 20–25 min
Busy and expensive; go early for parking.
Lismore
cautionDoor to door: About 45 min
Drive, about 40 min
Regional town; only worth it for markets or a wet day.
Nimbin
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 10 min
Drive via Lismore, about 1 h
Half-day at most; the road is winding.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min
Drive up the M1, about 1 h 30 min
Too far for a relaxed return day; stay over instead.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Village centre (Ballina Street)
Walk to cafés, shops and the beach; most motels and holiday units are here.
Lake Ainsworth and Pacific Parade
Quieter, near the lake and the northern end of the beach; a few minutes' drive or a 15–20 min walk to the village.
Byron Street and the highway side
Cheaper motel-style rooms and easy parking; a short walk to the beach.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- A$90–140 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$150–230 (≈ US$100–160) excl. bed
- High
- A$250 (≈ US$170)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or holiday-unit double1 × 2 nights × A$190 | A$380 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × A$160 | A$640 |
| Airport shuttle, Ballina Byron Gateway, one way2 × A$25 · check | A$50 |
| Route 640 bus, one way2 × A$6 · check | A$12 |
| Surfboard hire, one day2 × A$40 · check | A$80 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$20 | A$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$120 |
| Trip total≈ A$331 per person per day, bed included | A$1,322≈ US$900 |
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | A$4–6 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Café breakfast | A$15–25 (≈ US$10–17) |
| Fish and chips, takeaway | A$15–25 (≈ US$10–17) |
| Restaurant main | A$25–40 (≈ US$17–30) |
| Draught beer, pub | A$8–12 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Surfboard hire, one daycheck | A$30–50 (≈ US$20–35) |
| Taxi, village to Ballinacheck | A$30–45 (≈ US$20–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Swim between the flags; rips form when the surf is rough.
- No taxi rank in town: book ahead or you will wait.
- Book restaurants ahead in school holidays.
- 4WD access on the northern half of Seven Mile Beach needs a permit.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From mobiles
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Lennox HeadLennox Head
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Can you take me to this address?To this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From mobiles112
Embassy
No embassies in Lennox Head; consulates-general are in Sydney, with some in Brisbane (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Route 640 bus, Lennox Head → Byron Bay: about A$6 (≈ US$4), about 25 min (check)
- Airport shuttle, Ballina Byron Gateway → Lennox Head: about A$25 (≈ US$17), about 15 min (check)
- Taxi, Lennox Head → Ballina: A$30–45 (≈ US$20–30) (check)
Say or show
- Thanks — Thank you
- No worries — No worries
- Where's the beach? — Where is the beach?
- Card, thanks? — Can I pay by card?
- Are the flags up today? — Is it patrolled today?
English is the local language; the phrases above are local usage, not a foreign language.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Lennox Head. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Sep–Nov and Mar–May · avoid Dec–Jan (school holidays, peak prices), Feb–Mar (wettest) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for BNK: last shuttle and bus times, taxi fallback, late-arrival rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: village centre, Lake Ainsworth, Lennox Point.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Pat Morton lookout, Lake Ainsworth, the point walk) and eat pages with last orders.
- Surf and swell fixtures so the point and the lake can go green on the right day.