A guide to every picturesque Yamba camping hot spot

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From spectacular sites with million-dollar water views to places to pull up your motorhome, the best Yamba camping and Yamba caravan park picks always dazzle.

Whether you’re a camping newbie or hard-core about sleeping under canvas, there’s a Yamba camping or Yamba caravan park to get you excited. Spanning old-school camping grounds, RV sites, glamping grounds and holiday parks, the best spots in and around the idyllic NSW North Coast town encourage ample time spent lazing about the water (or flying off bouncing pillows). Conveniently located to provide easy access to the top things to do in Yamba, these sites offer fishing, surfing, bush walks, beach hangs and so much more.

NRMA Blue Dolphin Yamba Holiday Resort

It’s a beautiful thing to have a mess of different families come together in communal spaces where they instantly have something in common. The NRMA Blue Dolphin Yamba Holiday Resort is like a cruise ship run aground and it’s all action stations with pedal karts, mini golf, a bike pump track, a climbing gym, arcade games, a water park and free wi-fi. The Yamba camping holy grail, which is just minutes from the heart of town, has cabins and villas as well as sites for tents and RVs.

Price: $-$$$ — it ranges from unpowered sites to three-bedroom waterfront villas.

Facilities: Where to start? A pool bar, equipment hire, boat ramp, pedal kart hire, multiple swimming pools, mini golf, a bouncing pillow, playground, kiosk, camp kitchen, laundry, kids activities during the school holidays, cafe, a dump point and even more.

Accessibility: Yes, it actively welcomes visitors with access needs and features wheelchair ramps and a quiet space.

Dog-friendly?: Yes, and you can choose from one-bedroom villas or powered sites.

Address: 31-45 Yamba Rd, Yamba

Big4 Saltwater Yamba Holiday Park

a caravan site at Big4 Saltwater Yamba Holiday Park
Sleep soundly in camper trailers and caravans at Big4 Saltwater Yamba Holiday Park.

Comfort is key at the Big4 Saltwater Yamba Holiday Park , where the appeal lies in a collective commitment to family fun and relaxation. The other draw card at this Yamba caravan park hot spot is The Oasis, a ridiculously lavish, totally thrilling lagoon-style water park that was unveiled in November 2024. Think palm trees, shallow bub-friendly waters, water slides and even a swim-up bar. Cue a soundtrack of children squealing as you walk around the perimeter of the park, which also features a jumping pillow, pump track, flying fox and pedal karts. The camping ground has campsites for tents and RVs, as well as cabins that are dog-friendly.

Price: $-$$$ — it ranges from unpowered sites to a five-bedroom cabin

Facilities: That sprawling Oasis waterpark, a jumping pillow, two playgrounds, a boat ramp, two camp kitchens, equipment hire, a flying fox, a pump track, pedal kart hire, four barbecue areas, amenities block, a dog wash, EV charging station, DVD hire, outdoor movies, volleyball, school holiday activities and, seriously, plenty more.

Accessibility: Yes, it actively welcomes visitors with access needs and features wheelchair ramps and accessible bathrooms.

Dog-friendly?: Yes, and you can choose from various sites and cabins.

Address: 286 O’Keefe’s Lane, Yamba

Pebbly Beach campground

Those setting off on the popular multi-day Yuraygir Coastal Walk will need somewhere to rest their head along the way. Stop overnight at the Pebbly Beach campground at the end of day one to carve off and wander along the Freshwater Track. There you’ll find towering pandanus palms that the local Gumbaynggirr people used to weave neckbands, dillybags and baskets. Please note that this much-loved camping hot spot, located within Yuraygir National Park, is only accessible at low tide and about a 1.5-hour drive from the centre of Yamba.

Price: $ — just unpowered sites are available, and you’ll need to pay $8 per vehicle per day for entry into the National Park.

Facilities: Non-flush toilets and you can buy firewood at the campground.

Accessibility: No

Dog-friendly?: No

Address: Freshwater Track, Barcoongere

Brooms Head Holiday Park

Brooms Head Holiday Park
Brooms Head Holiday Park is a great base camp for surfers. (Image: Clarence Coast Holiday Parks)

Embrace the region’s natural surroundings at Brooms Head Holiday Park , one of the most popular Yamba caravan parks come sunny season. Located less than 40 minutes from Yamba proper, the spectacularly positioned grounds instil instant calm as the views stretch across a golden beach and lagoon rockpools. You’re also within walking distance from Lake Arragan and Redcliff, so nature steals the spotlight every way you tackle your days. Book early to score a cabin or villa right on the beach.

Price: $-$$ — it ranges from unpowered sites to two-bedroom ocean-fronting villas.

Facilities: BBQ area, playground, multiple dump points, amenities block, laundry and a boat ramp.

Accessibility: Yes, it actively welcomes visitors with access needs and features wheelchair-accessible cabins, ramps and free hire of beach wheelchairs.

Dog-friendly?: No

Address: 35 Ocean Rd, Brooms Head

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Calypso Yamba Holiday Park

a scenic view of the Clarence River at Calypso Yamba Holiday Park
This Yamba camping spot is nestled in an idyllic spot overlooking the Clarence River. (Image: Destination NSW)

Arrive at the Calypso Yamba Holiday Park in the early afternoon and you will find a nostalgic scene reminiscent of all our childhood memories smooshed into one. There’s a chessboard of figures moving slowly around the park: a father lifting his son onto a swing, a young family shuffling back from the beach and a salty-haired grom cooking snags on the BBQ. Pitch a tent, park your RV or rent a cabin at this soothing Yamba camping delight.

Price: $-$$$ – it ranges from unpowered sites to waterfront two-bedroom cabins.

Facilities: BBQ area, playground, amenities block, ice, laundry, a swimming pool, a bike path, a pontoon and a camp kitchen.

Accessibility: Yes, it actively welcomes visitors with access needs and features wheelchair-accessible cabins, ramps and free hire of beach wheelchairs.

Dog-friendly?: Yes, across various sites during off-peak periods.

Address: 8A Harbour St, Yamba

Anchorage Holiday Park

The grounds at Anchorage Holiday Park are impeccably maintained, making it a tranquil spot to rest your head in the surrounding areas of Yamba. Positioned on the North Arm, near the Clarence River, just a 30-minute drive from Yamba, the park is full of parents who come here with one single purpose: to keep the family tight. And the park provides the means to do that each day with a dedicated social calendar of fun activities.

Price: $-$$ — it ranges from unpowered sites to two-bedroom Spa Cabins

Facilities: Free wi-fi, a convenience store, swimming pool, playground, laundry, gas BBQs, fishing jetty, kids’ activity programs during school holidays, DVD hire, equipment hire, a wading pool for littlies, camp kitchen, book loans and more.

Accessibility: Yes, it actively welcomes visitors with access needs and features cabins with accessible bathrooms.

Dog-friendly?: Yes, but only across select sites within off-peak periods.

Address: Marandowie Drive, Illuka

Fishing Haven Holiday Park

an outdoor deck facing Clarence River at Fishing Haven Holiday Park, Yamba
The park is perfect for active families who like to fish, spot wildlife, kayak and swim.

This popular Yamba caravan park draws repeat visitors who spend the year yearning for their annual holiday. Located on Palmers Island, just minutes from Yamba, Fishing Haven Holiday Park on the Clarence River is for active families who like to fish, spot wildlife, kayak and swim. There are powered and unpowered sites, river-view cabins as well as space for RVs. The park has kayaks, boats and mooring for hire.

Price: $-$$$ — it ranges from unpowered sites to a three-bedroom holiday house.

Facilities: Three jetties, electric BBQs, a camp kitchen, boat mooring, kiosk, ice, bait and tackle.

Accessibility: Yes, it actively welcomes visitors with access needs and features wheelchair ramps and accessible toilets and showers.

Dog-friendly?: Yes, across select stays

Address: 35 River Rd, Palmers Island

Higher Ground Coastal Bush Retreat & Permaculture

Romantics will thrill in glamping in fancy vintage-styled tents at Higher Ground Coastal Bush Retreat & Permaculture at Shark Creek, behind Yuragir National Park. The off-grid glamping tents are furnished with a comfortable double bed and the option of a single and guests can also rent out the 146-acre property’s homestead (enquiry via the booking page). Higher Ground is a working permaculture farm located 25 minutes from Yamba.

Price: $-$$ — glamping tent bedding ranges from single to double varieties.

Facilities: Solar power, tank water, a water hole for swimming, camp kitchen with a fridge, fire pits, nearby hot showers and composting toilets.

Accessibility: No

Dog-friendly?: Yes, as long as your pooch is well-managed and quiet.

Address: Shark Creek on the Clarence River

Minnie Water Holiday Park

campers dining outside their tent at Minnie Water Holiday Park, Yamba
Minnie Water Holiday Park is a popular stop-over for adventurers. (Image: Clarence Coast Holiday Parks)

Fans of retro family holidays will love Minnie Water Holiday Park ,  a popular stopover for adventurers on the Yuraygir Coastal Walk, one of the best things to do in Yamba. The Yamba caravan park is like a small village furnished with cabins, vans and camper sites in quiet, natural surrounds. The pet-friendly park has a tennis court, pool and open campfires and is located near beaches and bushland.

Price: $-$$ — it ranges from unpowered sites to one-bedroom cabins.

Facilities: A swimming pool, camp kitchen, BBQ area, car and boat wash bay, amenities block, laundry, convenience store and tennis court.

Accessibility: Yes, it actively welcomes visitors with access needs and features free hire of beach wheelchairs.

Dog-friendly?: Yes, and you can choose from sites, cabins and safari tents as long as you’re visiting in off-peak periods.

Address: 646 Minnie Water Rd, Minnie Water

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Sandon River Campground

The Sandon River campground is sandwiched between the Sandon River on one side and the protected ocean on the other. As well as offering caravan sites, this lesser-known campground within Yuraygir National Park has picnic tables, barbecue facilities, a boat ramp and toilets. Find out about the remote campground’s rich Indigenous heritage from the informative panels positioned around the campground. Visitors should note that sites are suitable for caravans, camper trailers, campervans and tents, but large caravans and motorhomes are not welcome.

Price: $ — just unpowered sites are available, and you’ll need to pay $8 per vehicle per day for entry into the National Park.

Facilities: Wood BBQs, picnic tables, non-flush toilets, tank water (no drinking water), a waste point, boat ramp and coin-operated public phone.

Accessibility: No

Dog-friendly?: No 

Address: Sandon River Road, The Sandon

Secret Lake Retreat

two chairs by the lake at Secret Lake Retreat, Yamba
The quiet lakefront campground is an ideal spot to laze the day away.

This family-run lakefront campground has communal fire pits fashioned out of old truck rims, complimentary kayaks and canoes (though numbers are limited so get in early) and bushwalking trails that lead off into woodland. It’s set across 800 glorious acres and features a 60-acre private lake, but while the site feels remote, it’s just 10 minutes from the general store in nearby Lawrence. This Yamba camping highlight, just 20 clicks from its town centre, also features a swimming platform moored in the lake.

Price: $ — just unpowered sites are available

Facilities: BBQ area, camp kitchen, dining area, amenities block, dump point, tank water, communal and private fire pits, swimming platform, lawn games and more.

Accessibility: Yes, it actively welcomes visitors with access needs and features an accessible bathroom within the amenities block.

Dog-friendly?: Yes, as long as they’re well-behaved.

Address: 45 Ryries Rd, Lawrence

Iluka Riverside Holiday Park

an aerial view of Iluka Riverside Holiday Park, Yamba
Many holiday parks in Yamba are graced with a view of the Clarence River. (Image: Clarence Coast Holiday Parks)

Designed for carefree holidays centred on ample sun and surf, Iluka Riverside Holiday Park is flanked by the Clarence River and Yuragir National Park. The Yamba camping standout is about a 40-minute drive from the centre of town and positioned on the riverbanks, so fishing (there’s even a pontoon to help lend a hand) and general sun-seeking is highly encouraged. Spend every magical sunset gazing out yonder as BBQs set right off the river facilitate dream holiday memories.

Price: $-$$ — it ranges from unpowered sites to basic cabins

Facilities: Amenities block, camp kitchen, playground, dump point, gas refills, laundry, pontoon, boat ramp and boat kitty, BBQ facilities and free wi-fi.

Accessibility: No

Dog-friendly?: Yes, across the sites as long as you’re visiting in off-peak periods.

Address: 4 Charles Street, Iluka

Originally written by Carla Grossetti with updates by Kristie Lau-Adams

Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti avoided accruing a HECS debt by accepting a cadetship with News Corp. at the age of 18. After completing her cadetship at The Cairns Post Carla moved south to accept a position at The Canberra Times before heading off on a jaunt around Canada, the US, Mexico and Central America. During her career as a journalist, Carla has successfully combined her two loves – of writing and travel – and has more than two decades experience switch-footing between digital and print media. Carla’s CV also includes stints at delicious., The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Australian, where she specialises in food and travel. Carla also based herself in the UK where she worked at Conde Nast Traveller, and The Sunday Times’ Travel section before accepting a fulltime role as part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK. Carla and has been freelancing for Australian Traveller for more than a decade, where she works as both a writer and a sub editor.
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The tastiest new players on Newcastle’s dining scene you need to try

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
    Newcastle’s vibrant creativity is evident everywhere, from a thriving live arts scene to an ever-growing offering for gourmands. Those with a hunger for new and exciting experiences should put Newcastle on their radar.

    When it comes to consuming the culture of a city, digesting it (in the literal sense) is an appropriate place to start. But it’s not just a world-class wining and dining scene that’s on the menu (not to mention all the new restaurants in Newcastle ). Newcastle – just two hours north of Sydney – offers the perfect blend of arts, culture and culinary experiences that make it a prime destination for an extended escape. The city’s creative future looks even brighter with the reopening of the highly anticipated Newcastle Art Gallery on the horizon.

    aerial of Nobbys beach in newcastle nsw
    Newcastle offers the perfect coastal setting for the arts and delicious eats. (Image: City of Newcastle)

    Given Newcastle’s compact size – many venues are within easy walking distance or a quick drive away – you can immerse yourself fully. From decadent patisseries to fine diners and casual coastal eats, here’s a fresh taste of Newcastle: where to eat, drink and soak up the coastal city’s good vibes.

    1. Pastry cafes in Newcastle

    pastries next to a pastry box from crumb cafe in newcastle
    Lean into Newcastle’s pastry renaissance at Crumb. (Image: Jemma Donkin)

    Pastry is having a moment, with a quietly booming scene led by CRUMB,  the brand-new pastry cafe in Lambton led by legendary Gareth Williams (of Covered in Crumbs, EXP) and Ben Richardson (Autumn Rooms). Gareth describes his style of food as ‘creative chaos’. Enjoy that abstract artisanal approach over a savoury chorizo, bechamel, cheddar and poppy pastry, or a layered mortadella and pesto mayo croissant sandwich.

    Meanwhile, Leibe European Pastries, Pekárna, Union St Pastry and Praise Joe also have their own flair and loyal followings. While Liebe European Pastries is famed for layered German pastries such as Franzbrötchen, Pekárna’s signatures (like cardamom pastries) are tethered to Czech traditions.

    Head a few blocks west to Wickham, where Union St Pastry is the pinnacle for lovers of European-style viennoiseries, such as croissants and Danishes. A getaway to Newcastle also looks pretty fabulous with a mega brownie or chicken little toastie from Praise Joe .

    2. Destination dining

    Blanca resuarant in newcastle nsw
    Step inside Mediterranean-inspired eatery, Blanca. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Life looks pretty peachy from a table at the breezy Mediterranean-inspired eatery Blanca , which would not be out of place in Mykonos – when it swooped into the Honeysuckle Precinct a few years ago, it caused heads to swivel. Say yasou to mezedes of crudo di mare and sheftalia and grilled Abrolhos Islands’ octopus.

    One may also fantasise about being back in Europe – specifically the 10th arrondissement in Paris – at Frenchie , the oh-so-French bistro that offers Euro-chic elegance with an inventive Australian flair. Indulge in the Date Night set menu, available every Thursday.

    Peregrin is another stand-out. Listen to the sound of the ocean from the rooftop terrace, and order a Summertime Sour during aperitivo hour. Followed by the yellowfin tuna with pickled cucumber and market fish. And brand new on the scene is Papalote – a joint venture from the incredibly talented owners of Humbug and Flotilla serving up tasty Mexican classics.

    3. Casual coastal cafes and kiosks

    people swimming at Newcastle Ocean Baths
    Follow Newcastle’s coastline for stunning views and tasty eats. (Image: David Diehm)

    What better way to soak in Newcastle’s legendary coastline and stunning beaches than by visiting its casual coastal eateries while on the Bathers Way?

    Enjoy hot chips and scallops on the sand at Swell Kiosk Bar Beach . Or a housemade sausage roll after a morning surf at Newcastle Beach, thanks to Southy Canteen , which is open from 6am.

    Bring your furry travel companion to Sunnyboy Kiosk for a piccolo and puppuccino with views out to Dixon Park Beach. Try light eats, like acai bowls, or more substantial meals like nasi goreng at Blue Door in Merewether. Do a few lazy laps at Merewether Ocean Baths (the largest in the southern hemisphere) before tucking into swordfish skewers and salad at Merewether Surfhouse .

    You can also watch the ocean compose a bit of magic from your perch at The Kiosk Newcastle Beach , where a matcha latte looks even better with the beach fresco.

    Pause between eats to take in the iconic Newcastle Ocean Baths and Bogey Hole – perfect for a digestive swim or scenic picnic spot.

    4. Hatted restaurants in Newcastle

    couple eating at Flotilla newcastle
    Flotilla serves up delicious meals. (Image: Destination NSW)

    In recent years, Newcastle’s restaurant scene has evolved to include venues that have elevated the city’s reputation for culinary excellence. In addition to its cafes and kiosks, there’s now an exciting wave of hatted favourites putting Newcastle on the map.

    Humbug is the epitome of Novocastrian dining; the mafaldine with brisket and beef cheek braised in Pedro Ximenez is emblematic of what the owners aim for here. Flotilla neatly knits the Newcastle wining and dining scene together, with young gun Josh Thurston showcasing the art of cooking proteins and produce over fire.

    Bistro Penny is another sophisticated, hatted dining destination in Newcastle. Order the barbecued king prawns swimming in a saffron broth and the oxheart tomato salad.

    5. Newcastle nightlife

    Bartholomew's small bar in newcastle nsw
    Stop by Bartholomew’s for a drink. (Image: Destination NSW)

    As the sun dips in the west, so the city of Newcastle’s nightlife springs to life. Maru Hi-Fi is the next-gen small bar that’s redefining a night out in Newy – the sleek space serves great cocktails and embraces Newcastle’s alt attitude. Next door, Jams Karaoke & Bar is also bringing the vibes.

    If a small bar in a grand old building is more your style, check out Roxanne , Bar Mellow and Bartholomew’s .

    Start planning your Newcastle culinary coastal getaway this summer at visitnewcastle.com.au.