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Local's guide: Yamba

Local's Guide to Yamba. Yuraygir Coastal Walk
Local's Guide to Yamba. Yuraygir Coastal Walk

If you’re looking for a scenic road trip to a location not swarming with tourists but still close to the action, look no further than Yamba. Three and a half hours south of Brisbane or seven and a half hours north of Sydney, Yamba and its surrounding regions offer good food, great scenery, and wonderful highlights of the east coast.

Surrounded by wilderness and boasting world class surfing, Yamba is a dream holiday destination for nature lovers, adventurers, and anyone looking to relax with a great meal and a nice tipple.

Fly into the Clarence Valley Regional Airport on the outskirts of Grafton or take your car and explore the surrounding Northern Rivers and New England regions.

Highlights
  • Eat at Yum Yum Cafe and General Store.
  • Stay with the whole family at NRMA's Blue Dolphin Holiday Resort.
  • Enjoy a dip in the famous Blue and Green pools.
  • Strap on your hiking boots and traverse the Yuraygir Coastal Walk.

Where to Eat in Yamba

Start your day by visiting Gather for your morning coffee fix and a light meal. Owned by locals and nestled on Yamba Hill, it’s a favourite for those in the know.

For those with a true nose for the bean, head to Botero Coffee Roasters for a serious caffeine adventure with a side of altruism. The cafe (which boasts a stellar menu) and roastery ensure a portion of their profits go back to developing countries.

Be sure to check out the institution that is Yum Yum Cafe and General Store. This cosy converted cottage serves up wholesome breakfasts, lunches, and baked goods using local produce – so you know you’re getting the freshest there is.

Fancy something from the sea? You can get your seafood straight from the fishermen themselves at the Clarence River Fisherman’s Co-Operative. Buy something fresh to cook on your own or treat yourself to a favourite like fish and chips or a prawn roll.

For a different kind of seafood experience, head to Sandbar – Yamba's premier destination for seaside dining. Located right on the beachfront, Sandbar has you covered from morning to night, coffee to canapes.

And lastly for those of us who love to check out the craft beer scene, Wobbly Chook Brewing, located right in the heart of Yamba and operated by a local family of six, offers a delightful experience for craft beer enthusiasts. Alternatively, a little further out, Sanctus Brewing Co provides an opportunity to sample an array of different ales, lagers, XPAs, IPAs, and much more.

Where to Stay in Yamba

For families NRMA Blue Dolphin Holiday Resort has you covered with options ranging from 3-bedroom water view villas to studio cabins and camping sites, situated on the edge of the Clarence River.

The resort features swimming pools (including a swim up pool bar), water park, pump track, mini golf, and more making it the perfect spot for the family.

For something a little more indulgent and secluded, why not stay at Angourie Resort. Surrounded by a lush subtropical rainforest, the Angourie Resort’s rainforest retreat in NSW boasts the rare combination of first-class facilities and unique natural wonders.

Where to Play in Yamba

The ocean is where it’s at in Yamba so if you’re keen on surfing or swimming you’re in the right place. The Blue and Green Pools are synonymous with the area and began life as a quarry. But, when a freshwater spring burst through, the rocky gulfs transformed into a magical swimming spot.

Yamba Main Beach is a dream for families and even has accessible access. Dive into the waves while watched over by lifesavers, or float about in the ocean pool, which was carved into the rocks at the beach’s southern end in the 1960s.

For experienced surfers, Yamba is a top spot to catch waves. Or if you would like to try your hand at the sport, the surf school offers lessons on these iconic shores.

Out of the water, Yamba has two great artisan markets – the Yamba River Markets and the Yamba Farmers Market. Visit the Farmers Market every Wednesday for incredible local produce, and the River Market every fourth Sunday for handmade crafts and products.

What to see and learn in Yamba

For some of the best views in town, make tracks to Yamba Lighthouse. Here, you and the family can sprawl out on the grass with a picnic and relax. The lighthouse has been keeping sailors safe for more than 100 years.

For those who love hiking, trek the multi-day Yuraygir Coastal Walk which stretches for 65 kilometres through the Yuraygir National Park. The trail follows a path walked by emus in ancient times. You can walk the whole length and camp along the way – or do day walks on shorter sections.

The Clarence River region holds great importance to the local Goorie (Aboriginal) people. To see more of our First Nations history, follow the Lower Clarence Aboriginal Tourist Site Drive which steers visitors around significant sites where you can honour the stories of the Traditional Owners of the Land. Stop at 13 sites along the way to learn Dreamtime stories about the Durrangan (which the Goories believe to be a powerful spirit) and the creation of the Clarence Aboriginal People.

You can also laze the day away on a peaceful river cruise down the Clarence River. Spend four hours on a ferry, travelling deep into the heart of the Clarence River. Along the way, you’ll soak up beautiful scenery, while delving into the past. Plus, there’s a bar on board.

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