
The Australian Hotel is a classic Aussie pub with cold beer, live music and good food, right in the heart of Ballina, just 150 metres from the banks of the Richmond River and five minutes from Lighthouse Beach, Shelly Beach and the airport.
The pub has undergone some renovations lately, and the latest addition to ‘The Pub’ is the Mexican Cantina, the converted bistro with a revitalised laid-back interior and casual outdoor dining space – the perfect setting for sampling their range of thirst-quenching beers. Or, if you’re after a cocktail to beat the heat, the house Coconut Margarita is not to be missed!
Keeping in with the coastal vibe, the Ballina Prawn Tostada (Ballina prawn, avocado crème, salsa verde, pickled red onion, jalapeno and radish) and Crispy Fish Taco (using the daily catch) are the perfect combination of fresh. Wednesday’s offering is two-for-one tacos, and Sunday is all about tucking into a Carne Asada (Black Angus flatiron, charred onion, poblano peppers, pickled veg and salsa verde) while the kids eat free.
If you’re up for a night out, stay for the live music on Thursdays from 8pm or boogie the night away to funk soul with a vinyl DJ every Saturday from 9pm.
The Australian Hotel
103 River St Ballina
australianhotelballina.com.au
FB: theaussiehotelballina


For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling.