Destination overview

Yamba is situated at the mouth of the Clarence River, the biggest river on the east coast of Australia, in Northern New South Wales. With a relaxed lifestyle and access to all services, it is within easy reach of Ballina, Lismore and Grafton and only three hours’ drive from Brisbane and two hours from the Gold Coast. Stretching from Wooli in the South to Evans Head in the North, the Clarence Valley offers an amazing variety of headlands and beaches, which are easily accessible in comparison to other stretches of the New South Wales coast.

Whether it’s offshore sailing you are into, or meandering along the Clarence River to drop anchor, the waterways of the Lower Clarence offer endless days of adventure. More than 100 islands lie upstream from the mouth of the river in unpolluted waters with an abundance of fish and nature.

Both nationally acclaimed Clarence River seafood and Angourie's popular surf break entice culinary and sports enthusiasts to Yamba. Whether it's fine dining in award-winning restaurants, fresh catches from the ocean or just a good old fashioned pub meal, you'll have a great selection of restaurants and cafes within Yamba to choose from.

One of the major attractions of Yamba and surrounds is its natural beauty. Yamba is fortunate to have two National Parks and a world heritage listed nature reserve on its doorstep.

To the south is the Yuraygir National Park, consisting of 30,406 hectares, 60 kilometres of cliffs and rocky headlands, pristine beaches and lake systems just waiting to be explored. This National Park is unique because it is where the temperate south and tropical north overlap creating a diverse range of flora and fauna.

If you go north across the river mouth from Yamba you will find the Iluka Nature Reserve, the largest remaining stand of littoral rainforest in New South Wales. This valuable remnant (136 hectares) of what was once an extensive coastal rainforest is World Heritage listed with the Iluka Nature Reserve home to 140 bird species.

North of Yamba lies 38 kilometres of coastline including one of the last wild rivers in New South Wales, the Esk. Incorporating the Bundjalung National Park there are 20,116 hectares of coastal heathlands, rainforest, lagoons, swamps and cypress stands waiting to be discovered.

On the must see list are the Yamba Lighthouse, Main Beach salt water swimming pool, boat harbour marina/trawlers, Port of Yamba Historical Society Museum, Arthouse Australia Art Gallery, Gorman's Oyster Farm, and a ride on the water ferry to Iluka.

Yamba and the Lower Clarence offer a diverse and exhausting range of artisans in residence. From acclaimed artists, stained glass practitioners, to the downright clever, there is so much on offer in Yamba and its surrounds.

Maclean, a 20 minute drive west of Yamba, has alfresco dining, beautifully-restored federation buildings, Ferry Park Gallery and Tourist Information Centre, the Maclean Lookout (which overlooks the Clarence River to the Pacific Ocean), the Pinnacle Rock formation, and the Ulgundahi Art and Culture Centre.

Take a trip to Byron Bay, just one-and-a-half hours’ scenic drive north, and travel the coastal road through Ballina, Lennox Head and Suffolk Park. Byron Bay is truly a unique and colourful place to visit and shop. Join in with the cafe latte set or take a trek to the most eastern point in Australia - the Byron Bay Lighthouse. If you prefer more of nature, then travel to Byron's hinterland and climb Mount Warning at Uki.

Due to its unique peninsular geography, uncrowded and pristine beaches wrap the coastline creating a water sports haven. Once holiday-makers discover Yamba's abundant natural beauty they return year after year to explore the magnificent waterways, stroll the uncrowded beaches, go swimming, fishing or surfing, but most of all discover Yamba's friendly hospitality all year-round.

There is a single word for Yamba's climate – perfection – and it has the distinction, along with two other coastal areas on the world map, San Diego in California and Bunbury in Western Australia - to have been declared by the CSIRO and Stanford University as having the best climate in the world to work, live and play.

In Yamba there is never a wrong time of the year to throw some more of those famous, ocean fresh Yamba prawns on the barbecue.

During the winter months, Yamba is much quieter than during the peak summer months and there is an endless succession of sunny, windless days to enjoy river, beach and sporting clubs.

In the summer the nor'easter arrives most days around noon and cools the town off in a far more effective and pleasant manner than air-conditioning ever could.

People swim in the ocean at Yamba all year-round, and in fact the water is often warmer in July than it is in February due to a warm current finding its way down the coast at that time.

Being surrounded by Yuraygir National Park allows for plenty of opportunity to get back to nature and discover the beauty of coastal heaths (keep your eyes out for the unique coastal emus), spot whales from the Shelley Beach walk or paddle the meanderings of the mighty Clarence river system.

Fishing or boating is well-catered for, as well as something for history buffs and photographers, art lovers, lawn bowlers and golfers. Whatever your interests are, you will find them in Yamba.

There are some attractions in Yamba that you shouldn’t miss and these include the Yamba Ligththouse, also known as Clarence River Light, the Story House Museum, Yuraygir and Bundjalung National Parks and the surf beach at Angourie.

Another area that shouldn’t be missed is Pippi Beach. This is an idyllic location to soak up the sun and enjoy the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean. It is a popular surfing beach which has a large number of enthusiastic surfing competitors who turn up each year for the annual Pippi Beach Surf Classic. Pippi is also patrolled by the local surf club in season.

Fishing off the rock shelf on the northern end at Yamba Point and the southern end at Flat Rock is another popular past-time for locals and visitors. Picnic tables, parking and toilet facilities are all available.