Pat Morton Lookout

Best for: Spotting marine life

Best time to visit: Sunrise or late afternoon for the best light, or June to October if you're chasing whale sightings

Time needed: 15-30 minutes at the lookout itself or 1-1.5 hours if you continue down to Boulder Beach

Why visit? The Far North Coast of NSW has way more than its fair share of spectacular coastal views, and the vista from Pat Morton Lookout at Lennox Head is up there with the best. It's a captivating scene that you could gaze at endlessly: as you stand at the lookout, you'll see the village down below, the sun glistening on the water and surfers riding the waves rolling into Seven Mile Beach. You might see hang-gliders taking off from here, pods of dolphins and even whales breaching from June to October. Walk to the top of the lookout and, over the other side, you can take a stunning clifftop path down to Boulder Beach and beyond.

Photography tip Grab your mates, pack a picnic and take a seat on the grassy area below the lookout steps. Food and views. It's like it was made for your social feed.

Pat Morton Lookout, Lennox Head

Ballina to Lennox Head Walk

Best for: Coastal views

Best time to visit: Early morning or late afternoon, when temperatures are cooler and the light is best for photos

Time needed: 2.5-3 hours to walk the full 11.5km one-way route between Ballina and Lennox Head, or as little as 30-45 minutes if you just want to do a shorter stretch like the Shaws Bay loop

Why visit? Lace up your shoes and follow the Ballina Shire Coastal Recreational Path, an 11.5-kilometre shared walking and cycling trail that traces the shoreline all the way from Ballina to Lennox Head. Start at the North Wall, where the Richmond River meets the sea, then wind past the calm waters of Shaws Bay, the long and often-empty Angels Beach and Sharpes Beach, before climbing up to Pat Morton Lookout and dropping into Lennox Head village. Walk the whole thing in one go or just pick a stretch – the path is flat, well-maintained and free to explore any time, with plenty of spots to stop for a swim or a coffee along the way.

Photography tip: Time your walk for low tide near Shaws Bay and North Wall, when the exposed sandbanks and glassy reflections make for some of the best shots on the whole route.

Shared Coastal Pathway, Ballina

Zentvelds Coffee Farm and Roastery

Best for: Coffee with a view

Best time to visit: Early weekday mornings, when the farm first opens to avoid any crowds

Time needed: 30-45 minutes for a coffee and a wander or up to 1.5 hours if you join a tour

Why visit? Head for the hills to see a different side of Ballina. Just about as soon as you leave town, you'll be among the verdant folds of the hinterland and, after a 20-minute drive, you'll pull into Zentvelds Coffee Farm and Roastery. Family-owned and -run, and into regenerative farming practices in a big way, Zentvelds grows, processes and roasts its own coffee beans, and makes a mean brew, too. Join a farm tour, sign up for a barista course, or just call in to grab some beans to take away and enjoy a coffee on the deck. The owners are happy for you to bring your own food, so it's worth popping into a nearby eatery for snacks en route. Join the public tour on Fridays at 10am if you want the full crop-to-cup experience

Photography tip: Head to the deck of Zentvelds, overlooking the plantation. On a clear day – which is thankfully most days – you can see the Insta-friendly spire-like summit of Wollumbin (Mt Warning).

Zentveld's Coffee Farm and Roastery, Newrybar

Killen Falls

Best for: Chasing waterfalls

Best time to visit: Morning for the best light through the rainforest canopy, and after rain for the falls at their fullest

Time needed: 30-45 minutes for the walk to the lookout and down to the base

Why visit? There's nothing like a rainforest waterfall to take your breath away and renew your appreciation of nature, and Killen Falls, just 20 minutes out of Ballina, will do just that. An easy 330-metre walk from your car takes you to the viewing platform, which gives a dramatic view over the top of the falls. Walk down the steep (and sometimes slippery) track to the base of the falls and you can get a good look back up at the cascading water, too. Keep your eyes peeled for birds, turtles and other wildlife.

Photography tip: A walk into the cave behind the falls will reward you with a unique angle back out to the waterhole, with the falling water and changing light providing quite the focus.

Killen Falls, Tintenbar

Seven Mile Beach and Lake Ainsworth

Best for: Water galore

Best time to visit: It’s lovely at any time of day, though late afternoon gives the nicest light for photos over the lake

Time needed: 1-2 hours to enjoy both the beach and the lake

Why visit? Not many towns offer a choice between lake and ocean swimming, just metres apart. But at Lennox Head, that's what you get: head to the surf lifesaving club and you'll have Seven Mile Beach and the Pacific Ocean to your right and Lake Ainsworth to your left. Can't decide between the two? Do both. Surrounded by tea trees, the lake is a freshwater lagoon that's great for swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and canoeing with the rustle of leaves and bird calls as your soundtrack. What's more, the tannin-soaked waters are said to have healing properties and do wonders for your skin and hair – you're going to glow in those Insta pics.

Photography tip: Take your phone in a waterproof bag to shoot your friends looking fit on their SUP boards with the incredible shoreline behind you.

Seven Mile Beach Lennox Head, Lennox Head - Credit: Ballina Shire Council

Richmond River

Best for: Cruising the river at golden hour

Best time to visit: Sunset (obviously) – the cruise is perfectly timed to capture golden hour

Time needed: 2 hours

Why visit? Hitting the water at sunset is a stunning way end the day on a high and feel a sense of freedom as you cruise out into the unknown. Join Out of the Blue Adventures on a jaunt up the mighty Richmond River. Armed with a cold beverage and plenty of snacks, you'll discover just how beautiful this river can be at golden hour – and just how rich with wildlife it is. You might spot dolphins, and almost certainly lots of birds: the Richmond River Nature Reserve is home to 160 different species. If you don't recognise them, don't worry: a marine biologist on board your 20-guest eco-vessel will explain everything.

Photograhy tip: Wait for the right moment and grab a group selfie when the sun sets the river aflame.

Out of The Blue Adventures, Byron Bay - Credit: Out of The Blue Adventures

Summerland Farm

Best for: Cute animal encounters

Best time to visit: Late afternoon for golden hour light over the orchards, or book your visit for a weekday when the farm is quieter and you'll have more one-on-one time with the animals

Time needed: 1.5-2 hours to explore the farm and animal encounters, plus extra time if you're settling in for a picnic (note that picnic bookings need 48 hours' notice)

Why visit? Set on 96 hectares of macadamia and avocado orchards in the Alstonville hinterland, Summerland Farm is one of the most photogenic family stops in the Ballina hinterland. Say hello to rabbits, guinea pigs, mini goats and mini donkeys at the farm's animal encounters, or book ahead for a cow feeding or alpaca encounter if you want an even closer photo op. Once you've had your fill of furry friends, spread out a rug in the landscaped gardens with rolling hill views for a Garden Picnic – Summerland Farm packs a hamper full of farm-style favourites, so all you have to do is kick back and enjoy the view.

Photography tip: Get down low for the animal shots – a kid's-eye-view of a mini donkey or goat against the green hills makes for the most heart-melting photos, and golden hour over the macadamia orchards is hard to beat for picnic pics.

Summerland Farm, Astonville - Credit: Summerland Farm

Ballina North Wall

Best for: Sunset shots over the river and coast

Best time to visit: Late afternoon into sunset, when the light turns gold over the river mouth and the lighthouse

Time needed: 30-45 minutes to walk the wall and back, longer if you're stopping to shoot

Why visit? At the mouth of the Richmond River, the North Wall Coastal Walk is an easy breakwall stroll with Shaws Bay on one side and the river mouth on the other. Park at Brighton Street and follow the footpath out along the wall as the sky turns gold – you'll get uninterrupted views back across the water to Ballina Lighthouse and out to the surf breaking beyond. Keep an eye out for dolphins cruising past and surfers picking off the last waves of the day.

Photography tip: Time your walk for last light and shoot back towards the lighthouse and headland – the wet rocks and channel water catch the colour beautifully as the sun drops, and a long exposure will smooth out the waves lapping the wall.

North Wall Coastal Walk, East Ballina - Credit: Trevor Worden