For generations, surfers have heard the siren call of Yamba’s wave-blessed beaches, but in more recent years, the North NSW coastal town has earned the moniker of ‘the new Byron Bay – without the crowds’. But that’s not to say you won’t find a great mix of accommodation to suit every budget and delicious eats.
Add to this: its enviable position on the Pacific Coast at the mouth of the Clarence River, a long list of things to do that includes the ancient emu trails in the Yuraygir National Park, weekend markets and a plentiful supply of freshly-caught seafood to devour. Keep reading to find all this and more in our travel guide to Yamba.
Getting to Yamba
Coastal road trips don’t get much better than this. Drive 3.5 hours south of Brisbane, or just over 7 hours north of Sydney, along the Pacific coast to reach Yamba. There will be plenty of reasons to stop along the way, so take your time reaching your final destination.
Alternatively, catch a one-hour flight from Sydney to Ballina-Byron Airport and hire a car to drive the remaining 100 kilometres. Or fly to the Gold Coast for a scenic two-hour drive south.
Top things to do in Yamba
From beaches, surfing and fishing to markets, boutique shopping and a gorgeous Art Deco cinema, Yamba is full of memorable things to do. There are five main beaches in Yamba, each with its own unique charms.
Get out of the water and onto the land to traverse the ancient emu trails in the Yuraygir National Park. The challenging 65-kilometre, multi-day Yuraygir coastal walk skirts around seaside villages on the Clarence Coast, along tracks, trails, beaches and rock platforms (passable only at low tide). Expect to spend four to five days tackling the entire walk, stay the night at any of the numerous beach campgrounds en route and take time to snorkel, swim and – if you’re lucky – spot whales and dolphins.
Yamba is within easy driving distance of a number of inviting north coast villages worthy of a day trip. Starting with Iluka to see its UNESCO World Heritage-listed rainforest, followed by Brooms Head to picnic under the Norfolk Island pines and swim in the lagoon, and the intriguing village of Maclean, which is renowned as ‘The Scottish Town of Australia’, among its many other charms.
Where to stay in Yamba
The laid-back beach town of Yamba has long been considered one of NSW’s best-kept secrets, and rightly so. Some rather lovely places to stay help visitors become one with the relaxed atmosphere. Whether you’re poised to splurge or pinching every penny, the best Yamba accommodation will sort every traveller out. Or, try renting one of the best Yamba Airbnbs in and around town.
Where to eat and drink in Yamba
Taste more of the region’s best seafood, settle in for a boozy long lunch or wind down with a chilled night out, all in Yamba. Try this restaurant hit-list to rival the other big-name towns on the North Coast. Or start your morning right with these incredible breakfast cafes.
