Flat Rock Tent Park – Absolute Beachfront Camping Ballina

Flat Rock Tent Park holds a legendary status among coastal campers, offering one of the most spectacular, absolute-beachfront camping experiences on the entire NSW North Coast. This is a place where the classic Aussie beach holiday is alive and well. Perched on a stunning headland between two magnificent beaches—the sheltered cove of Flat Rock Beach and the expansive surf of Angels Beach—the campground boasts breathtaking ocean views from almost every angle. It is a dedicated tent park, preserving a traditional, back-to-basics camping atmosphere that is beloved by families, surfers, and keen anglers who return year after year.

The location is simply unbeatable. You can wake up, grab your surfboard, and be in the waves in minutes, or cast a line from the famous Flat Rock platform at sunrise. The headland itself is a world-class vantage point for whale watching during the migration season, offering incredible, up-close views of these majestic creatures. Despite its beautifully rugged and natural setting, the park offers excellent facilities, including clean amenity blocks with hot showers, a camp kitchen, and laundry facilities, ensuring a comfortable stay. The sites are unpowered, encouraging campers to disconnect and immerse themselves in the stunning environment. The park’s location is also incredibly convenient, just a short drive from the cafes, restaurants, and services of Ballina, and within easy reach of Byron Bay and Lennox Head. For a truly iconic beach camping experience, Flat Rock is a destination you will never forget.

• Website: flatrocktentpark.com.au
• Phone Number: (02) 6686 4848
• GPS Coordinates: -28.84393, 153.6031

Site Information

• Location: On the coast at East Ballina.
• Site suitable for: Tents, swags, and rooftop tents only. No caravans or camper trailers.
• Road access: Sealed road. Easy 2WD access.
• Site surface: Grass.
• Camping permitted: Yes, bookings are essential and fees apply.
• Maximum overnight stays: Check with park management.
• Number of un-powered sites: Numerous unpowered tent sites are available.
• Facilities: Hot showers, flush toilets, camp kitchen, laundry, electric barbecues, dump point for cassettes.
• Picnic tables: Yes.
• Potable water: Yes.
• Mobile phone coverage: Excellent for all major carriers.
• TV reception: Excellent.
• Onsite public toilets: Yes.
• Ullage: Yes, a dump point for portable toilet cassettes is available.
• Rubbish bins: Yes.
• Open fires: Not permitted.
• Generator use: Not permitted.
• Number of sites available: Large park with many sites.

Essentials to Bring

• Surfboard, bodyboard, and wetsuit.
• Fishing gear for beach and rock fishing.
• Binoculars for whale watching (June-November).
• Bicycle to explore the coastal path to Ballina.

Activities

• Pet friendly: No. Pets are not permitted in the park.
• Fishing: Excellent beach and rock fishing. A NSW Recreational Fishing Licence is required.
• Short walks: Direct access to the Ballina Coastal Recreation Path.

Local Amenities (in Ballina)

• Local Pubs:
  • The Shaws Bay Hotel, East Ballina (~4 km)
  • The Australian Hotel, Ballina (~7 km)
  • The Cherry Street Sports Club, Ballina (~7 km)
• Places to Eat:
  • An extensive range of cafes, restaurants, pubs, and clubs in East Ballina (~4 km) and Ballina (~7 km).
• Local Attractions:
  • Angels Beach and Flat Rock Beach (on site)
  • The Big Prawn (~10 km)
  • Ballina Naval and Maritime Museum (~7 km)
  • The vibrant town of Lennox Head (~10 km)
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Reflections Holiday Parks Shaws Bay (~4 km)
  • BIG4 Ballina Headlands Holiday Park (~8 km)
• Next Free Camps:
  • There are no designated free camps in the immediate Ballina/Byron area.
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Onsite for cassettes. Public dump point at Ballina Coach and Motorhome parking area (~8 km).
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Multiple service stations in East Ballina (~4 km) and Ballina (~7 km).
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Available onsite.
• Public Toilets:
  • Onsite at the campground.

Seasonal Weather Forecast: NSW North Coast

• Summer (December – February): Hot and very humid with frequent rainfall, perfect for the beach. Average temperatures from 22°C to 28°C.
• Autumn (March – May): Warm, sunny days and mild, pleasant evenings. Ideal for surfing and hiking. Temperatures range from 17°C to 26°C.
• Winter (June – August): Cool, crisp, and often sunny days with cool nights. The prime time for whale watching. Temperatures range from 11°C to 21°C.
• Spring (September – November): Mild to warm with pleasant weather. The coastline is vibrant with wildflowers. Temperatures range from 15°C to 25°C.