The ultimate guide to Yamba’s best beaches

By Carla Grossetti
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From patrolled beaches to rolling surf breaks and stunning rock pools, here’s our inside guide to Yamba’s best beaches.

The main drawcard of Yamba, located in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, is its stunning range of beaches. The surfie scene is also alive and well thanks to locals who came for the surf and never left, as well as visitors who scramble out of bed at dawn to jostle for a position in the line-up. Here, the sea is the colour of faded denim and everyone is keen to spend time by the ocean. Here’s how to go with the flow.

Best for surfers

Angourie Back Beach

The beach breaks around Yamba can be savage and wild, and Angourie Back Beach is no exception. This is the kind of break where that local bloke dubbed Big Wave Dave paddles out and eats the waves for breakfast. Get a surf report from Magic Seaweed before heading out, as the weather has a big impact on the waves here.

Angourie Back Beach in Yamba, NSW

The swell can get serious at Angourie Back Beach. (Image: Destination NSW)

Angourie Point

Angourie Point is the most popular place for local surfers in Yamba so if you make the call to paddle out, be sure to adhere to surf etiquette and wait your turn for a wave. Angourie Point is one of the few protected Surfing Reserves in Australia and the waves, which curve around the rocky headland, break near a 150-metre-long rock shelf known as ‘life or death’, which can get gnarly. Not a beginner’s wave.

Angourie Point in Yamba, NSW

Angourie Point is a surfing hotspot. (Image: Destination NSW)

Turners Beach

Turners may well be named after the head-swivelling that ensues when there’s a swell running and skilled surfers are riding the breaks that bracket the beach. It’s not, but it might as well be. The beach is a popular patrolled spot come summer, but if you’re not keen to hit the waves, take the steps from the beach up to Yamba Lighthouse and read the Dreamtime story of the giant eel that travelled through the Clarence Valley.

Turners Beach in Yamba, NSW

Catch rolling waves at Turners Beach. (Image: Destination NSW)

Best for families

Main Beach

Yamba’s Main Beach is fantastic for families, with a large saltwater rock pool especially perfect for little ones. This pretty swathe of sand is also patrolled by lifeguards, so everyone can have a paddle. After a refreshing morning dip, pop into one of Yamba’s local cafes for coffee and a bit to eat.

Main Beach in Yamba, NSW

The ocean pool is perfect for kids. (Image: Destination NSW)

Whiting Beach

Those who are a bit wussy about waves love Whiting Beach, a calm, protected river beach and a great spot to cool off in summer. Whiting is popular with fishos and families and fisho families. If you don’t manage to hook a big one, order fish and chips from the local takeaway and stake out a claim on a square of sand.

Convent Beach

Pray for a sunny day before packing a picnic and padding down to the quietude of Convent Beach, which is tucked in between Yamba Point and picturesque Pippi Beach. At sunrise, the sea is a divine backdrop for a spot of meditation or yoga. Forget the in-your-face hipness of Byron Bay; Yamba is way more low-key.

Yamba, NSW, Australia

Yamba is a low-key hideout for wannabee Bohemians. (Image: Destination NSW)

Best for beach (and bush) walks

Pippi Beach

Enjoy a few hours of oneness with the ocean as you listen to its soaring soundtrack while walking along the tranquil Pippi Beach. Pippis is on the bay-side and can be off limits when there’s a south swell running. But when it’s low tide and the winds are favourable, Pippi is paradise, and as much about socialising for dog owners as it is about burning off a few calories. Pippi Beach is only patrolled over summer.

Aerial View, Pippi Beach, Yamba, NSW, Australia

Walk to the tranquil southern end of Pippi Beach. (Image: Destination NSW)

Spooky Beach

Despite its sinister name, Spooky Beach is mostly a picture of calm. Swaddled by palm trees, strewn with small boulders and blessed with a (mostly) gentle shore break that suits older wave warriors, you can follow a track down to the sand, where there’s also has a huge natural rock pool that fills with ocean water.

Scenic coastal views across Angourie Blue Pool, Yamba, NSW, Australia

Take a dip in the beautiful natural rock pool. (Image: Destination NSW)

Bluff Beach

Enjoy an aerial view of the Bundjalung region from the whale-watching platform at Iluka Bluff before making your way down to family-friendly Bluff Beach. The sheltered beach is patrolled during the summer holidays and has a 2.5-kilometre walking track that leads through the largest remaining stand of littoral rainforest in NSW. The beach is located north of Yamba and is also popular for surfing.

Whale migration, Yamba, NSW, Australia

Watch the whales from Yamba’s coast. (Image: Destination NSW)

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 dreamiest cafes in Yamba for slow mornings

    By Kristie Lau-Adams
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    A top-notch cuppa, seasonal produce and a generous dollop of sea breeze — the best cafes in Yamba absolutely nail the good life.

    Slow mornings spent soaking up the coastline over a stellar cup of joe – is there anything more desirable on a long-awaited beach break? You’re spoiled for choice in Yamba, one of the NSW North Coast’s shining stars, as outstanding AM pit-stops dot the beach town. From undiscovered gems to the most popular haunts around, your all-important caffeine and fresh, bountiful meals are found at the best cafes in Yamba.

    The shortlist

    Best family-friendly spot: Beachwood Cafe

    Best for vegetarian: Angourie Cafe & Wine Bar

    Best views: The Kiosk Yamba

    Best hidden gem: Bowen’s Delicatessen & Fine Foods

    1. Gather

    the cafe exterior at Gather, Yamba

    The aptly named cafe is an ideal spot for friends to gather.

    Perched high above Main Beach in the bustling hub that encompasses some of Yamba’s best restaurants (think BRGR Spot and the Pacific Hotel) is Gather; they’re famous for frothing up some of the best coffee in town (although a close second or third would be Summi’s right next door). It offers delicious, flavour-crammed meals across breakfast and lunch, like mushroom bruschetta with buffalo mozzarella, a chilli crab scramble, a signature hash with pressed smoky pork and a matcha tapioca pudding topped with coconut mousse.

    They’re open until 2pm daily, only take walk-ins, and offer a children’s menu that includes mini French toast among other fuss-free favourites.

    Cuisine: Modern Australian

    Average Price: $$-$$$

    Atmosphere: Trendy

    Review: 4.5/5

    Location: 3/14-15 Clarence St, Yamba

    2. Spilt Milk

    a plate of eggs benedict at Spilt Milk, Yamba

    The moreish eggs benedict.

    Serving up superb Hill Roasters beans from nearby Kungala, about an hour south of Yamba, Spilt Milk arrived on the cafe scene in November 2024 and instantly endeared locals. Run by a Yamba family who have slowly taken over the space that Bean Scene once thrived in, the hot spot is gaining attention for its creative smoothies and milkshakes, plus left-of-centre breakfast and lunch options.

    You can expect the likes of ‘Breaky Fried Rice’ which resembles a Nasi Goreng tossed in sesame hoisin sauce, plus rich curries served alongside all-day classics like avocado smash, bacon and egg rolls and open grill sandwiches.

    Cuisine: Comfort food with Middle Eastern influences

    Average Price: $$

    Atmosphere: Casual

    Review: 3.5/5

    Location: Shop 4/8 Yamba St, Yamba

    3. Beachwood Cafe

    Open for breakfast and lunch, Beachwood Cafe is one of the homeliest cafes in Yamba, attracting a cult-like status to its side street location. Sevtap Yuch, the Turkish-born owner and chef who also moonlights as a cookbook author, delivers an authentic slice of the Mediterranean, maintaining a tightly curated blackboard menu of breakfast all-stars with a twist.

    Expect humble yet wildly fresh local produce transformed into memorable dishes like scrambled eggs with feta and sucuk (Turkish sausage), coconut and cinnamon toast, braised octopus, lamb kofta and grilled sardines. As for the vibes, they’re plenty cosy as patterned mismatched crockery and a leafy patio create an inviting atmosphere for parents and kids.

    Love what you’re gobbling down? Sevtap’s ‘less is more’ approach to cooking is ripe for the adopting, with her collection of cookbooks available to purchase in-store.

    Cuisine: Modern Australian with Turkish influences

    Average Price: $$

    Atmosphere: Family-friendly

    Review: 4/5

    Location: 22 High St, Yamba

    4. Angourie Cafe & Wine Bar

    al fresco dining at Angourie Cafe & Wine Bar

    Enjoy breakfast al fresco at Angourie Cafe & Wine Bar. (Image: @angouriecafeandwinebar)

    Dishing up soul food in a beautiful boho-inspired, white timber fit out, Angourie Cafe & Wine Bar is a local gem. While the bar element of the brand was still under reconstruction in December 2024 (they’re promising to be back with a vengeance soon), the kitchen nails a menu of breakfast classics that embrace seasonal ingredients and a healthy lifestyle.

    A six-minute drive from the centre of Yamba, this beloved cafe offers acai bowls, vegetarian baked beans, garlic mushrooms on sourdough, toasted sandwiches, mega-loaded salads, tacos and more across its breakfast and lunch menus.

    Cuisine: Modern Australian, skewing vegetarian

    Average Price: $$-$$$

    Atmosphere: Hippy

    Review: 3.5/5

    Location: 11/13-15 The Crescent, Angourie

    5. The Kiosk Yamba

    beachfront dining at The Kiosk Yamba

    The Kiosk Yamba offers idyllic beachfront bliss.

    Yamba is not a beach town that’s short on great cafes, but few boast views as striking as The Kiosk Yamba. Housed within Yamba’s Surf Life Saving Club, this unassuming spot right on Main Beach features picnic benches and striped parasols and is open from breakfast through to lunch.

    Whether you’re in the mood for something salubrious (hello acai bowls and fresh, cold-pressed juices) or something more indulgent (perhaps a bacon, egg and cheese roll with a milkshake on the side) this popular Yamba cafe always delivers.

    Cuisine: Modern Australian

    Average Price: $-$$

    Atmosphere: Easy and breezy

    Review: 4/5

    Location: 1 Marine Parade, Yamba

    6. Bowen’s Delicatessen & Fine Foods

    the coffee counter at Bowen’s Delicatessen & Fine Foods, Yamba

    Grab a takeaway coffee at Bowen’s Delicatessen & Fine Foods.

    Find a smashing morning meal and charcuterie supplies for later at Bowen’s Delicatessen & Fine Foods. Renowned across the region for its exceptionally fresh focaccias and wraps, plus creamy, strong coffee, the cafe in Yamba also stocks a brilliant range of cured meats, indulgent cheeses and ultra-rich sweets.

    Best of all, the team are endlessly inviting, on hand to walk you through its cabinet and the mainstays, including the popular chicken and sundried tomato wraps with garlic aioli, as well as the dine-in headliners – Bowen’s burgers. Crispy chicken, double cheese, bacon and pineapple… whatever you fancy, the gang’s all here.

    Cuisine: Artisanal snacks and Modern Australian meals

    Average Price: $$-$$$

    Atmosphere: Casual

    Review: 4/5

    Location: Shop 33, 1-3 Treelands Drive, Yamba (inside Yamba Fair shopping centre)

    7. Pinewood Corner

    a look inside the cafe at Pinewood Corner, Yamba

    This charming cafe serves delicious Botero coffee.

    A beloved local’s secret, Pinewood Corner takes the best picks from Yamba Farmers and Producers’ Market, one of the best things to do in Yamba, and spins them into scrumptious dishes with dialled-up heart. Think fluffy layered cakes with seasonal fruit, buttery tarts dressed in greens, herbs and nuts, toasties with artisanal bread and sweet focaccias alongside savoury variations.

    The owners are natural-born creatives themselves, showcasing their favourite art on the café’s walls and even hosting the odd life drawing class. But first, coffee, right? The beans are among Yamba’s best, sourced from Botero Roastery Cafe in nearby Maclean.

    Cuisine: Modern Australian

    Average Price: $$-$$$

    Atmosphere: Free-spirited

    Review: 4/5

    Location: 1/2-4 Yamba St, Yamba

    8. Laneway Lunchbox & Espresso

    lunch plates at Laneway Lunchbox & Espresso, Yamba

    Laneway Lunchbox & Espresso serves up generous and healthy lunch plates.

    Now you’re really getting into the locals’ treasure trove of most-loved cafes in Yamba. Laneway Lunchbox & Espresso is a serious gem, tucked behind a butcher on Coldstream Street. It’s only open during the week, feeding the centre of town’s business crowds, and you’ll need to be quick as a rotating menu of internationally inspired dishes tends to sell out quickly.

    Spanning Asian, like wok-tossed noodles and traditional chicken balls, and even traditional British pub classics like bangers and mash, the menu is experimental and a ton of fun. Additionally, the coffee is strong, and the service is friendly.

    Cuisine: International

    Average Price: $$-$$$

    Atmosphere: Busy

    Review: 3.5/5

    Location: 3/18 Coldstream St, Yamba

    9. Yum Yum Angourie Cafe and General Store

    the counter at Yum Yum Angourie Cafe and General Store

    Order breakfast classics with your chosen brew at Yum Yum Angourie Cafe and General Store.

    A delightful old cottage converted into a morning eatery and grocer, Yum Yum Angourie Cafe and General Store is pure charm. Hearty dishes span the typical spectrum of breakfast classics (avocado on toast, eggs your way and more), but everything is treated with extreme care.

    Don’t leave without taking home a flaky baked good or few, and if you’re feeling extra generous, there’s always the ice cream freezer for kids to fight over at this cafe in Yamba.

    Cuisine: Modern Australian

    Average Price: $$-$$$

    Atmosphere: Cosy

    Review: 4/5

    Location: 29 Coldstream St, Yamba

    Ready for lunch? Discover the best restaurants in Yamba