Ballina 9640-3N Topographic Map 1:25,000

Detailed NSW Northern Rivers Topographic Mapping | Ballina, Richmond River, North Creek, Shaws Bay, Skennars Head, Lennox Head & Coastal Hinterland | Paper, Waterproof Tyvek® & Laminated

🏞️ Explore the Coastal Landscapes and River Estuaries of Ballina

Discover the sweeping Pacific beaches, winding tidal waterways, fertile coastal plains and picturesque hinterland of the New South Wales Northern Rivers with the Ballina 9640-3N Topographic Map, sourced from the official NSW Spatial Services Topographic Map Series.

Covering Ballina and its surrounding coastal country, this detailed map provides valuable geographical information for rural landowners, coastal planners, environmental scientists, bushwalkers, surveyors, engineers and emergency services.

The Ballina district occupies a distinctive landscape where the Richmond River meets the Pacific Ocean, combining extensive river floodplains, estuarine wetlands, sandy beaches, coastal headlands and gently rising hinterland.

The historic coastal town of Ballina stands beside the Richmond River estuary, one of the defining geographical features of the Northern Rivers region.

The Richmond River drains an extensive catchment extending inland through agricultural valleys and forested ranges before reaching the coast at Ballina.

Its lower reaches contain tidal channels, mangroves, riverbanks, islands and low-lying floodplain environments shaped by sediment deposition, changing water levels and periodic flooding.

North Creek joins the Richmond River near Ballina, forming a complex network of tidal waterways and wetlands surrounded by residential areas, natural vegetation and recreational spaces.

Nearby Shaws Bay is a sheltered tidal waterbody adjoining the Richmond River entrance. Its shallow waters and surrounding shoreline provide an excellent example of the interaction between estuarine processes, coastal settlement and recreation.

The Richmond River entrance is protected by substantial training walls, while North Head and South Head provide prominent coastal reference points.

East Ballina contains several notable coastal landmarks, including Lighthouse Beach, Shelly Beach and Angels Beach, where sandy shorelines, rocky outcrops and coastal vegetation meet the Pacific Ocean.

Travelling north, the coastline extends through Sharpes Beach, Skennars Head and Boulder Beach, offering a varied landscape of beaches, dunes, headlands and elevated coastal terrain.

Further north, Lennox Head is one of the region's most recognisable coastal landmarks, renowned for its rocky headland, ocean views and surfing beaches.

Immediately inland lies Lake Ainsworth, a distinctive freshwater coastal dune lake surrounded by paperbark vegetation. The lake's characteristic tea-coloured waters result from naturally occurring organic compounds released by surrounding vegetation.

The broader coastal environment supports important wetland habitats, including mangroves, saltmarsh, freshwater swamps and coastal woodland.

Ballina Nature Reserve protects significant coastal vegetation and wetland ecosystems associated with the lower Richmond River environment.

Further inland, the landscape rises towards Cumbalum, Knockrow and Tintenbar, where rural properties, wooded hills and agricultural valleys provide a striking contrast to the coastal plains.

Waterways including Emigrant Creek, Chickiba Creek and Fishery Creek illustrate the complex drainage patterns connecting the district's hinterland and estuarine environments.

The Northern Rivers region experienced devastating flooding in 2022, highlighting the importance of understanding floodplain elevations, drainage systems, waterways and settlement patterns.

The Ballina district is particularly valuable for studying coastal erosion, river processes, estuarine ecology, wetland conservation, urban development and landforms.

At 1:25,000 scale (1cm = 250 metres), the map provides detailed contours, waterways, roads, tracks, buildings, vegetation and geographical reference information for interpreting this varied coastal terrain.

Whether you're investigating coastal property, studying the Richmond River catchment, exploring authorised walking routes or undertaking professional fieldwork, the Ballina topographic map provides an excellent geographical reference.

Professionally printed by Mapworld and available in standard paper, waterproof and tearproof DuPont™ Tyvek®, and durable laminated finishes.

🗺️ Map Content & Features

The Ballina topographic map includes:

• Contours & Elevation – Detailed terrain information showing coastal headlands, low-lying river floodplains, rolling hinterland hills, ridgelines, slopes, drainage depressions and creek valleys.

• Rivers & Waterways – Richmond River, North Creek, Shaws Bay, Emigrant Creek, Chickiba Creek and Fishery Creek, together with associated tributaries, tidal channels and wetlands.

• Roads & Tracks – Pacific Highway, local urban streets, coastal connecting roads, rural access routes, recorded walking tracks and other mapped routes.

• Buildings & Infrastructure – Selected residential and commercial buildings, bridges, coastal infrastructure, river training walls, roads and geographical reference points.

• Vegetation & Landforms – Coastal dunes, sandy beaches, rocky headlands, mangrove habitats, coastal wetlands, agricultural land and native woodland.

• Place Names & Landmarks – Ballina, East Ballina, West Ballina, Richmond River, North Creek, Shaws Bay and Skennars Head, together with surrounding geographical features.

• Grid References – Coordinates and geographical reference information for map-and-compass navigation, GPS interpretation, surveying and professional fieldwork.

🧭 Format & Material Options

To suit a range of field and display needs, this map is available in multiple durable and practical formats:

🧾 Standard Paper (Folded or Flat)

• Traditional, lightweight and economical option for everyday use, archival storage and indoor reference

• Ideal for framing under glass, classrooms, desktop planning and geographical study

• Available folded for convenient storage or flat for display and professional reference

💧 Waterproof / Tearproof Tyvek®

• Made from 100% polyethylene fibres, Tyvek® has the appearance of paper but is water-resistant, tear-resistant and flexible

• Ideal for backpackers, bushwalkers, field researchers, rangers and search-and-rescue teams

• Can be folded or rolled repeatedly without damage, making it particularly useful for regular fieldwork

• Withstands rain, mud, snow and UV exposure, providing a durable solution for demanding outdoor conditions

• Particularly suitable for coastal exploration, wetland surveys, environmental fieldwork and emergency operations

🛡️ Laminated (Encapsulated)

• Fully sealed between two sheets of 80-micron gloss laminate for a durable, protective finish

• Dry-erase compatible – Write temporary notes, coordinates, routes or observations with a whiteboard marker and wipe clean

• Compatible with Mark-It-Dots for highlighting important locations, survey sites, routes or operational zones

• Ideal for repeated handling, field planning, vehicle dashboards, workshops, classrooms and incident control centres

• Especially valuable for property planning, coastal management, emergency response and collaborative geographical work

📐 Map Specifications

🎯 Ideal For

• Coastal Property Owners & Land Managers – Detailed geographical reference for property access, terrain gradients, waterways, drainage systems and coastal landforms.

• Urban Planners & Development Professionals – Mapping for urban infrastructure, coastal development, settlement patterns, preliminary site investigations and land-use assessment.

• Environmental Scientists & Ecologists – Geographical information for Richmond River estuary research, coastal wetland studies, vegetation surveys and biodiversity monitoring.

• Coastal & Catchment Managers – Terrain reference for shoreline management, river rehabilitation, floodplain conservation and water-quality investigations.

• Bushwalkers & Coastal Explorers – Detailed mapping for understanding coastal headlands, beaches, natural waterways, terrain and authorised recreational routes.

• Agricultural Professionals & Rural Landowners – Mapping for hinterland properties, rural infrastructure, drainage systems, water management and land-use planning.

• Surveyors & Civil Engineers – Mapping for preliminary engineering investigations, infrastructure planning, drainage assessment and professional fieldwork.

• Emergency Services – Geographical reference for riverine flooding, coastal storm response, emergency access, evacuation planning and search-and-rescue operations.

• Geography Students & Educators – Explore the relationship between river estuaries, coastal erosion, wetlands, floodplains, urban development and environmental conservation.

📍 Official NSW Mapping Source

This map forms part of the NSW Spatial Services Topographic Map Series, providing authoritative geographical information about natural and built features across New South Wales.

The series includes elevation contours, waterways, roads, tracks, vegetation, buildings, geographical features, place names and coordinate references.

View the Official NSW Spatial Services Topographic Map Viewer

For local road conditions, coastal planning, floodplain management and community services, consult Ballina Shire Council.

For official flood warnings, emergency planning and current flood-risk information, consult NSW State Emergency Service.

For coastal conservation, protected habitats, national park access and visitor information, consult NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

For coastal and estuarine management information, consult Ballina Shire Council and relevant NSW environmental authorities.

The Ballina district contains flood-prone river flats, tidal waterways, coastal wetlands, exposed beaches and rocky headlands subject to changing conditions. Heavy rainfall can cause significant flooding along the Richmond River, North Creek and surrounding drainage systems, affecting low-lying roads, residential areas and agricultural properties. Coastal storms, dangerous surf, elevated ocean levels and shoreline erosion can create additional hazards. Some mapped tracks and access routes cross private property or protected conservation areas; their appearance on a topographic map does not establish public access rights. Always check current road conditions, flood warnings, beach safety advice, coastal weather forecasts and emergency notices, respect property boundaries and carry appropriate navigation and communication equipment. Topographic maps are not substitutes for cadastral surveys, official flood studies, nautical navigation charts or current emergency advice.

🌏 Explore More with Mapworld

Discover our complete collection of NSW 1:25,000 Topographic Maps, providing detailed geographical coverage across New South Wales and adjoining regions.

For practical advice on interpreting contour lines, waterways, landforms and grid references, explore our guide to How to Read a Topographic Map in Australia.

For additional geographical coverage immediately south of Ballina, the Empire Vale 9640-3S Topographic Map provides a companion sheet covering the lower Richmond River floodplain and surrounding rural and coastal country.

For broader coverage of the coastline towards Byron Bay, explore the Byron Bay 9640-4S Topographic Map, providing complementary mapping of the Byron Bay coastal district and surrounding hinterland.

For additional regional coverage farther north, the Brunswick Heads 9640-4N Topographic Map provides a useful reference for the Brunswick River estuary, coastal settlements and surrounding landscapes.

For extended coverage of the Northern Rivers coastline, Richmond River catchment and surrounding hinterland, use the Official NSW Spatial Services Topographic Map Viewer to identify further neighbouring sheets.

Professionally printed by Mapworld, the Ballina 9640-3N Topographic Map combines authoritative NSW Spatial Services mapping with premium material options, making it an excellent resource for coastal property management, environmental research, catchment conservation, surveying, floodplain assessment, geographical education and professional fieldwork.