The Hinterland Tourist Drive takes you on the outskirts of Ballina and Byron Bay, through the hinterland towns and countryside, rather than through the towns of Ballina and Byron Bay themselves. Starting from Wardell, south of Ballina, the drive takes you through Alstonville, Teven, Knockrow, and Mullumbimby north-west of Byron Bay.
From Wardell to Mullumbimby
The Hinterland Tourist Drive 28 starts at Carlisle Street, just off of Blackwall Drive, in Wardell, and heading towards the Ballina-Byron Hinterland.
Start of Tourist Drive
From Blackwall Drive in Wardell 
, turn into Carlisle Street with a brown sign for Tourist Drive 28. Shortly afterwards, the main sign for the start of the tourist drive can be seen, showing Victoria Park, Summerland House Farm, Alstonville, Teven, and Pacific Hwy.
At Bath Street, turn right towards Alstonville and Lismore, with a brown sign with the Tourist Drive 28 symbol. Follow Bath Street, which shortly becomes Wardell Road, for 9.4 kilometres to reach the turnoff for Victoria Park Nature Reserve.
Victoria Park Nature Reserve
Turn left into Dalwood Road and follow for 1.9km, then turn left into Victoria Park Road. After 1.3 kilometres, turn right into Victoria Park Lane, and the entrance to the day-use area is 280 metres on the left.
Victoria Park Nature Reserve is a fragment of the once significant sub-tropical rainforest that once covered over 75,000 hectares. One of only 11 major remnants of the sub-tropical rainforest surviving, a project for regeneration of Victoria Park’s rainforest began in 1975.
Continue on Tourist Drive
Return to Wardell Road, via Dalwood Road, and turn left to continue on the tourist drive. From Dalwood Road, follow Wardell Road for 3.2 kilometres to reach Summerland Farm.
Summerland House Farm
A macadamia and avocado farm in Alstonville, between Ballina and Lismore. Visit Summerland House Farm to meet the farm animals and enjoy a day with the family in the country on a real Australian working farm.
Continue on Tourist Drive
Turn right on Wardell Road and continue for 2.5 kilometres, turning right at the end of Wardell Road, then the first left at the roundabout to enter the main street of Alstonville.
Alstonville
Alstonville is a town between Ballina and Lismore with classic Australian federation architecture. Visit antique shops, galleries, and cafes, as well as the Federal Hotel.
Continue on Tourist Drive
From the roundabout, continue alone Main Street, becoming Bugden Ave, for 600 metres and turn right into Pearces Creek Road. Almost immediately on the right is the parking area for Lumley Park.
Lumley Park
Lumley Park contains a shed with old horse buggies, although it is on the opposite side of Pearces Creek Road where the parking area is. The parking area has toilets, a picnic table, and free BBQ, making it a nice spot to stop for a break as an alternative to the main street in Alstonville. The shed with the old horse buggies also adds something to have a look at while stopped.
Continue on Tourist Drive
Continue on Pearces Creek Road for 2.4 kilometers and turn right only Rifle Range Road. Follow Rifle Range Road for 9 kilometres, the road changing names several times becoming Tintenbar Road.
At the end of Tintenbar Road, turn left onto Tamarind Drive and follow for around 2 kilometres, passing over the Pacific Highway. At the second roundabout, take the first exit onto Hinterland Way. Follow Hinterland Way for 4.2 kilometres to reach the Macadamia Castle and the Big Knight.
Macadamia Castle and Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
Macadamia Castle has been a common stop along the Pacific Hwy north of Ballina for many years, with an animal fun park and the Big Knight out the front. The Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is a small wildlife park with activities for the kids, including mini golf, splash pad, and animal experiences.
Continue on Tourist Drive
Continue on Hinterland Way for another 3.4 kilometres to reach the turnoff for Newrybar.
Historic Bakery in Newrybar
The historic bakery in Newrybar was build in 1900, baking bread over 120 years later for Harvest Deli. The historical Newrybar Village was first settled in 1881.
Continue on Tourist Drive
Return to Hinterland Way and continue for 4.4 kilometres.
Bangalow
Town of Bangalow. Visit Heritage House Museum & Cafe. Join Tourist Drive 24.
Continue on Tourist Drive
Return to Hinterland Way and turn left at the roundabout to continue for another 4.1 kilometres, and turn left into Coolamon Scenic Drive, If you want to stop at St Helena Lookout, go passed Coolamon Scenic Drive and veer off just after it.
St Helena Lookout
The lookout on the corner of Hinterland Way and Coolamon Scenic Drive with views to the coast, towards Belongil Beach and Byron Bay. An information sign provides details of nearby destinations along the Hinterland Way and surrounding area, including Bangalow, Macadamia Castle, and Newrybar.
There is parking space available but care is needed when entering or leaving, being right on the intersection. There is a u-turn bay on Coolamon Scenic Drive if you turn into there first.
Continue on Tourist Drive
Follow Coolamon Drive for 6.7km and turn right to continue on Coolamon Scenic Drive, with a brown sign for Crystal Castle. As an alternative, instead of turning right, continue straight ahead to go to Minyon Falls, however, this is off the tourist drive and an over 30-kilometre detour.
Continue on Coolamon Scenic Drive for 4.5 kilometres to reach the turnoff for Crystal Castle. Turn left into Goonengery Road and follow for 700 metres, then turn right to enter Crytal Castle with the parking around 500 metres along Money Drive.
Crystal Castle
The Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens is Australia’s most impressive crystal collection with some of the biggest crystals and geodes in the world.
Continue on Tourist Drive
Return to Coolamon Scenic Drive and turn left (coming back from Crystal Castle) and follow for 6.2 kilometres, turn right for the main street through Mullumbimby.
Mullumbimby
Mullumbimby is a northern rivers town in the Byron Shire, promoting itself as the Biggest Little Town in Australia, with a sign often regarded as one of Australia’s big things. The town is worth a stop with its laid-back feel.
Continue on Tourist Drive
Continue on the main street, Burringbar Street. After veering to the left, turn right at the roundabout into Argyle Street. Turning into Mullumbimby Road, follow for 3.8 kilometres to the Gateway to Mullumbimby.
Gateway to Mullumbimby
The Gateway to Mullumbimby is a totem pole and information rotunda. On the opposite corner is the sign for The Biggest Little Town in Australia. Across the road is a popular pie shop, Uncle Tom’s Pies.
