We spent 4 days in Yamba with our toddler and newborn – and the moment I drove into town, I knew it was a gem.
Quiet streets. Beaches on your doorstep.
That slow, salty, do-nothing kind of energy you really only get in a small coastal town.
Yamba is the perfect summer destination if you’re after a beach getaway without the crowds.
Here’s everything we got up to – plus a few tips I wish I’d known before we visited.
How to get to Yamba
We drove from Brisbane to Yamba and it took just over 3 hours.
It’s an easy drive with good roads the whole way, though weekend traffic can add an extra hour to your trip.
There’s no airport in Yamba. The closest is Ballina, about an hour’s drive away. If you’re flying in, you’ll want to hire a car from there.
Given the drive time, I’d recommend at least 3 nights (4 days) in Yamba to make it worth your while. That’s what we did and it felt about right.
Where to stay in Yamba
We stayed near Pippi Beach, and that’s exactly where I suggest you stay. It’s an easy walk to Main Beach and to Coldstream Street (which is where all the good cafes and restaurants are), but you’re tucked just out of the action enough that it still feels quiet.
Our accommodation was The Breakers, an apartment block right by the beach. Nice big apartments ideal for families, a swimming pool, and a hot tub. Highly recommend!
Another popular spot is NRMA Angourie Resort. It sits amongst the forests about a 15-minute drive from the main Yamba attractions. Once you check in, you almost don’t need to leave: water slides, play areas, day spa, the lot.
Best things to do in Yamba
Visit the beaches
Yamba’s beaches are the whole point! Here are my favourites:
- Yamba Main Beach is worth the hype. It’s a small, surfer-y beach right below town with an ocean pool tucked into the rocks. The Kiosk by the surf club is where I’d grab my morning coffee.
- Pippi Beach is a long stretch of sand with wilder waves. It was opposite our accommodation, so we ended up here most days for a walk. We brought cheese and crackers down for sunset and had a picnic on the beach. It’s also dog-friendly.
- Whiting Beach is the spot for families. It’s sheltered with no waves, so it’s perfect if you have little ones who want to swim without getting tossed around.
- Turners Beach is in the bay next to Whiting. It was extremely windy the day we went, but the break wall is a popular spot for an evening stroll and good for fishermen and surfers.
Picnic at the Angourie Blue and Green Pools
The Blue and Green Pools at Angourie (location here) are two of the most unusual swimming spots I’ve seen.
They were originally rock quarries that filled with fresh water once they were abandoned.
The result is two deep, oddly coloured pools surrounded by bush, with grassy edges that are made for spreading a picnic blanket. They’re also epic rock jumping spots.
Swim at the Angourie Ocean Pool
Right in front of the Blue and Green Pools is the Angourie Ocean Pool, a big rock pool you can swim laps in.
There are small rock pools around it too, and my son loved splashing around in them and finding crabs.
Walk the Angourie Walking Track
The Angourie Walking Track is a coastal walk that links Mara Creek picnic area in the north with Shelley Headland in the south.
It’s a moderately challenging route, about 10 km return and roughly 3 hours. You don’t have to do the whole thing either. Dip in for a section and turn back whenever you’ve had enough.
Explore the Yamba Markets
The Yamba Markets run on the 4th Sunday of every month from 9am to 2pm at Ford Park, right along the Clarence River.
Expect live music, face painting, fresh produce, and local artisans selling everything from candles to homewares.
If you’re in town mid-week, the Yamba Farmers and Producers Market runs every Wednesday at the Whiting Beach car park. It’s smaller but worth a swing through for fresh local produce.
Go beer tasting at the Wobbly Chook
The Wobbly Chook is the local brewery known for its great atmosphere and even better beer.
Order a tasting paddle, grab a feed (the menu is more substantial than your average brewery snack list), and settle in.
Walk along Coldstream Street
Coldstream Street is Yamba’s main street, lined with cafes, restaurants, and shops.
A few spots I’d recommend:
- We had a delicious smoothie bowl at Good Days
- The fish shop next door, Yamba’s Fisho, was buzzing every time we walked past
- Gather Yamba is the spot for breakfast
- And Yamba Icecreamery for a gelato at the end of a beach day
Take a river cruise on the Clarence
Yamba sits at the mouth of the Clarence River, and getting out onto the water is one of the best ways to see the town from a different angle.
Clarence River Ferries runs a live music cruise on Sundays, which is the easy option.
If you’d rather steer your own boat, you can hire a BBQ Boat with no licence required and float around for the afternoon. Or rent a kayak and paddle along the river yourself.
Day trip to Iluka
Iluka sits directly across the Clarence River from Yamba and makes for a great half-day or full-day trip.
You can drive around in about 45 minutes, or take the ferry across the river for a more scenic crossing.
The big draw is the Iluka Nature Reserve (here). There’s a short, easy walk through it that ends at the Iluka Bluff, a sea cliff with views back along the coastline.
Pair it with lunch at one of the pubs in Iluka and you’ve got a proper day out.
Is Yamba worth a visit
Yes! Yamba is one of the best beach destinations in northern New South Wales for a summer holiday, and it’s still relatively under-the-radar compared to the Byron and Gold Coast strips up the road.
It’s particularly good for families. Quiet beaches, sheltered pools, easy walks, and the kind of small-town vibe where you can leave the car and walk to dinner. Considering the drive from Brisbane, plan to stay at least 3 nights to make it count.
Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out my other posts!
- Best Day Trips From Gold Coast
- Best Day Trips From Brisbane
- Best Things To Do In Boonah
- My Favourite Wineries in Stanthorpe
- Pros and Cons of Living in Brisbane
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