Exploring Yamba, Australia

With only a short break from work over Christmas, and in search of adventure, we jumped on Google Earth and started scoping out the coastline of northern New South Wales. Soon the small coastal town of Yamba caught our eye. Surrounded by picturesque farmland and white sandy beaches we decided to check it out and stay for a night. The 3 hour drive south from Brisbane didn’t deter us as we made our way through beautiful green landscapes of sugarcane crops and cattle pastures.

With a population of around 6,000 there are plenty of cafes and restaurants to choose from and a variety of accommodation ranging from motels to resorts. A large part of the town’s economy relies on fishing, and numerous fishing trawlers can be seen moored along the river leading to the ocean. This means that Yamba is a perfect place for fresh seafood lovers. There is an abundance of beautiful beaches to explore to the immediate north and south of Yamba. There is also an ocean swimming pool nestled amongst the rocks at the main beach and a disused quarry in neighbouring Angourie that locals jump into from an overlooking cliff.

Yamba main beach and ocean swimming pool

Looking back towards Yamba main beach with the lighthouse on the right and The Pacific Hotel on the upper left

Exploring the rock pools south of Yamba main beach

Looking across the beach to South Head Park

Access track from Yuraygir National Park to the beach at Angourie

Standing atop the rocks and looking north back toward Angourie

Enjoying a cider on the empty beach at Angourie

Standing at Angourie Point and looking back south towards Yuraygir National Park

Jumping into the flooded quarry at Angourie

Enjoying dusk with Yamba in the background

Breakfast at Leche Café on Coldstream St. in Yamba

Rock formations north of Yamba main beach

Rock formations with Iluka in the background

Fishing near the Clarence River inlet

Local kids jumping into the ocean

Fishing trawlers in Clarence River, Yamba

What to do:

Yuraygir National Park Beach Trail – an 8km return walk along the beautiful coastline of Angourie
Angourie Blue and Green Pools – jump off a cliff and swim in the flooded disused quarry which overlooks the ocean
Yamba Lighthouse – walk up to Wooli Park which offers amazing views of Yamba and Iluka and check out the lighthouse
Yamba Main Beach – swim in the ocean pool or sit back and relax on Yamba’s main beach
Yamba Markets – a large market with great food and stalls is on every fourth Sunday of the month

Where to stay:

Yamba Sun Motel – for a decent motel close to town
Angourie Rainforest Resort – for a more modern and upmarket stay

Where to eat:

Pacific Motel – offers decent meals and drinks with an amazing view overlooking the main beach
Leche Café – good coffee and healthy breakfast options
Clarence River Fishermen’s Co-Op – fresh local seafood