Walk, Listen and Discover the Stories That Shaped Ballina’s Riverfront

There is a new way to experience Ballina’s waterfront, and it might just become one of the most meaningful things you do during your stay.

Ballina’s Water Stories is a recently launched cultural and historical trail that follows the Richmond River from the Marine Rescue Tower in East Ballina through to Fawcett Park in the town centre. The trail combines 23 beautifully designed interpretive signs with an immersive geo-located audio experience called the Ballina’s Water Stories Soundtrail, all free to enjoy at your own pace.

Whether you are a first-time visitor or someone who has walked this stretch of river many times before, Water Stories offers a deeper way to connect with the place you are passing through.

 

What Is the Water Stories Walk?

The full Water Stories walk stretches 4.5 kilometres along the riverfront, tracing the north break wall, curving around Shaws Bay and continuing into Fawcett Park. Along the route, 23 contemporary signs share the layered histories of Ballina’s relationship with water, from thousands of years of Nyangbal connection to Country through to the arrival of European settlers in the nineteenth century.

The signs replace the old Historic Ballina Waterfront panels that had deteriorated over time. The new content has been developed in collaboration with Nyangbal cultural knowledge holders, local historians and Ballina Shire Council, resulting in a trail that is both respectful and richly detailed.

Themes woven through the walk include the cultural significance of the river (known as guung in the Nyangbal language), the way of life of Nyangbal families along its banks, the impact of European settlement, and the ongoing importance of caring for Country and waterways.

 

The Soundtrail: An Audio Layer of Storytelling

For those who want to go deeper, the Ballina’s Water Stories Soundtrail adds a powerful audio dimension to the walk. This shorter 1.4-kilometre route runs from the Marine Rescue Tower to Pioneer Memorial Park, and features eight geo-located stories that play automatically through the free Soundtrails app as you walk through each storytelling zone.

The Soundtrail is hosted by Nyangbal cultural knowledge and language specialist Marcus Ferguson, whose personal reflections and deep understanding of Country guide listeners through each location. The late Uncle Ricky Cook, a respected Nyangbal Elder, also features throughout the experience, sharing language connected to the river, the local flora and fauna, and the ways Nyangbal people have lived on Country. Uncle Ricky’s narration is a lasting cultural legacy for Nyangbal families and the wider Ballina community.

Other voices on the Soundtrail include Aunty Sandra Bolt, who shares memories of collecting bush tucker as a child on the Lower Richmond River, and Uncle Graham Marlowe. Local historian Dr Kate Gahan provides historical context, while local actors Dianne Ennew, Allen Ennew and Melinda Saxe bring early settler voices to life in the final story, set at the Pioneer Park Cemetery.

Natural soundscapes recorded along the river accompany the stories, making the experience feel immersive and grounded in place. Headphones are recommended for the best experience, particularly near the ocean where surf noise can compete with the audio.

Content advisory: The Water Stories Walk includes the names, images and voices of people who have passed. Some historical language references in the Pioneer Park stories may be difficult for some listeners.

 

How to Experience the Walk

Option 1: The full signage walk (4.5 km)
Start at either end, at Fawcett Park in the Ballina town centre or the Marine Rescue Tower on the corner of Fenwick Drive and Lighthouse Parade in East Ballina. Follow the signs at your own pace and enjoy the river views along the way.

Option 2: The Soundtrail audio walk (1.4 km)
Download the free Soundtrails app (App Store | Google Play) before you head out. Start at the Marine Rescue Tower and walk towards Pioneer Memorial Park. The app uses your phone’s GPS to trigger each story as you enter its zone. You can also scan the QR codes along the route if you prefer. It is best to download the app while you have a strong Wi-Fi or mobile connection.

The path is a shared use trail, so please keep to the left to allow space for other walkers and cyclists.

 

A Collaboration Worth Celebrating

Water Stories is the result of a meaningful collaboration between Ballina Shire Council, Nyangbal cultural knowledge holders, Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council and the Water Stories Project Team. The project received funding from the NSW Government’s Community Local Infrastructure Recovery Package through Create NSW, supporting the rebuild of arts and cultural infrastructure following the 2022 floods.

As Jali LALC Chairperson Kylie Jacky noted at the launch, the project represents the first time Ballina will hear all the voices of its shared history together, with truth telling from Nyangbal cultural knowledge holders as the voices of Country.

For more information, visit Discover Ballina or explore the Soundtrail online at soundtrails.com.au.

 

Walk the River from Your Doorstep

Ramada Hotel and Suites Ballina sits right on the banks of the Richmond River, just a short walk from the Water Stories trail and the heart of Ballina’s riverfront precinct. It is the ideal base for exploring the walk at sunrise, during a morning stroll, or as a relaxed afternoon outing.

Book your stay directly and discover the stories that shaped Ballina’s waterfront.