Shelly beach is Ballina's main beach and is always busy on hot summer days with local families and travellers enjoying the clean sandy beach and generally calm surf. It is also patrolled throughout summer so it is one of the safest beaches in Ballina to visit. With a restaurant on the beach and cafe just a short stroll away you can have the best of both worlds.

There is a great rock shelf on the beach where you can explore the local sea life and paddle in the rock pools. There is also a tidal pool that you can swim in, but these days there is more sand than water, so it is great for kids. You can also walk around the rocks on the point and walk a few hundred meters south down lighthouse beach and you will arrive at the North Wall of the Richmond River mouth. Walking to the north connects you with Flat rock, a popular surf spot and an uncrowded beach, so there is a nice sandy stroll in either direction.

For those who stay put you can enjoy the wide beach and work you own masterpiece in the sand. This is one of my favourite activities with the kids. Probably as it reminds me of my childhood when we spent many an hour on Shelly beach in sand castles fighting a loosing battle against the tide.

There is plenty of grass and picnic tables in various spots along the shore, so you can enjoy the day here with family of friends. So pack your togs and roast chook and make your way to Shelly Beach.

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