9 delicious Clarence Valley restaurants worth the trip

For a family foodie trip that’ll tick everyone’s boxes, head straight for the Northern Rivers.

From seaside Yamba to riverside Grafton, the Clarence Valley food scene is positively booming, with its regional dishes making the best of not only farm-to-table dining but sea-to-plate as well. And if you’re planning a NSW North Coast family trip with everyone from the littlies to the grandparents, you’ll be making a mistake if you don’t stop for a nibble or three at its all-ages eateries.

Intrigued? We’ve lined up the best fine-dining restaurants, kid-friendly pubs, cafes, craft breweries and cocktail bars to add to your Clarence Valley must-visit list.

Clarence River sunset — Marvel at the views while tasting the best of Clarence Valley. (Image: My Clarence Valley)

New restaurants

If you find yourself drawn back to the Clarence Valley after some time away, you’ll be excited to hear that new restaurants have been popping up all over the shop.

One of the newer ones to watch? Yamba’s El Ocaso . Created by the minds behind the popular Barbarasco in Angourie (unfortunately now closed), El Ocaso serves up Mediterranean-style tapas that capitalise on local produce. Think romantic dates out on its deck, feasting on Yamba whiting croquettes with lemon zest and chilli aioli, or eye fillet carpaccio with truffle aioli, parmesan and mushrooms, finishing off with a dark chocolate and hazelnut tiramisu.

El Ocaso yamba — Get romantic at El Ocaso.

Searching for a laidback atmosphere with a cocktail in hand? Sunset and Wine in Iluka is the place to go. Perched on the edge of the Clarence River, this chilled-out spot serves nibbles and is the perfect venue for watching the sun sink over the water while enjoying champagne or cocktails with oysters.

Iluka Sunset and Wine, clarence valley restaurants — Stop in Iluka for a cocktail at Sunset and Wine.

Food tours and trails

Take your own crafty Yamba drinks tour to discover the local drops, starting in the industrial end of town at Yamba Distilling Co . This friendly distillery-meets-bar is a revamped space for the former Clarence Distillery, where you’ll find tipples such as lemon myrtle vodka, rosella gin and jacaranda-inspired liquor.

Arrive for a cocktail or two in the shaded garden with nibbles from their ‘serve yourself’ cheese and olive fridge, or enjoy a gin flight.

Yamba Distilling Merchandise — Taste lemon myrtle vodka, then take it home with you.

Next, make your way to Wobbly Chook Brewing Company , Yamba’s first craft brewery, in the centre of town. It has an extensive food menu that stretches from breakfast to dinner, with larger options like seafood baskets and schnitzel burgers, and bites that include crispy cauliflower and duck spring rolls.

Order a few plates to share with some pale ales, lagers and hoppy beers for the group. Want to make a night of it? The Wobbly Chook also has queen and family-sized rooms.

Wobbly Chook brewery yamba — Treat yourself to Yamba’s first craft brewery.

Local favourites

For breakfast, it’s hard to go past the Clarence Kitchen Collective in South Grafton. This community space is a wholesome pitstop on your way up or down the Pacific Highway. As well as a yoga studio, workshop space and bulk food store, there’s an attached wholefoods cafe.

Snag a table before the morning rush and replenish yourself with freshly made granola, vegan treats, fruit and that well-earned cup of coffee. Make sure to keep an eye out for any talks and workshops held here, so you can refresh your mind as well as your body.

clarence valley restaurants, clarence valley kitchen collective — Join a yoga class then refuel at Clarence valley Kitchen Collective.

Craving some of that famous Clarence Valley seafood? Sandbar Yamba is one of the best places to go, with al fresco dining to boot.

Open from breakfast to dinner, this French-inspired beachside restaurant is nothing if not inventive. Favourites include a seaside twist on a classic eggs benedict, with prawns, salmon roe, hollandaise and poached eggs, as well as spanner crab spaghetti with champagne beurre blanc, and miso-glazed seared scallops.

Sandbar Yamba, Clarence Valley restaurants — Sit down to famous Clarence Valley seafood at Sandbar.

Take our advice: dive in for a beach swim beforehand to work up an appetite. You’ll need it to get through as many of these dishes as you can!

Places for a tipple

All this exploring can be thirsty work, and if you want to stop by one of the area’s most famous pubs, the Ulmarra Hotel is ready and waiting.

Its restaurant overlooks the Clarence River and serves up pub favourites like Cooper beer-battered fish and chips, chargrilled steaks, chicken parmis and a kids’ menu. There’s also a variety of pizzas, with toppings ranging from Yamba prawns to vegan cheese.

Ulmarra Hotel, clarence valley restaurants — Stop by Ulmarra Hotel for beer-battered fish and chips.

Afterwards, take a walk in the hotel’s garden or admire the vintage decor (the building itself dates back to 1912). This pretty pub also has three-star accommodation, with 10 bedrooms available.

With your nominated designated driver at the wheel, drive out towards Townsend to find Sanctus Brewing Company . As well as tours and beers, including pilsners, IPAs, lagers and alcoholic ginger beers, this craft brewery also serves up some Aussie-infused spirits like finger lime gin.

Expect a brewery-meets-distillery that’s ideal for all age groups, with indoor and outdoor seating, easy street food options (like tacos and pizzas), and plenty of outside space for the kids to enjoy.

Sanctus Brewing company clarence valley restaurants — Take a tour then enjoy the pizza at Sanctus Brewing Company.

Fine dining

If romance is on the cards – or you simply want a special place to experience Yamba’s fine dining with the family – make a booking at Karrikin .

Take a seat in the tropical-style garden and wait on tenterhooks for their evolving and regional four-course set menu to arrive; inclusions are as wide-ranging as fresh tomato and prawn salad, rare spiced venison and Davidson plum black forest tart. Pair the courses with their range of natural wines and cocktails made from local spirits and you’ve got yourselves a gorgeous evening ahead.

karrakin clarence valley restaurants — Take dining to the next level at Karrikin.

Thredbo in summer is a nature lover’s dream of show-stopping alpine beauty, cool mountain air and magical moonlit adventure.

For many of us, Thredbo calls to mind shimmering slopes and snow-dusted gums, but come summer, this Alpine resort transforms into a playground of an entirely different kind. A cool mountain retreat despite the season, Thredbo summer hikes are astonishingly beautiful, criss-crossing over dramatic peaks, pristine glacial lakes and abundant flora and fauna.

From approachable tracks for novice walkers to more challenging hikes across the Main Range and even journeys under moonlight, Thredbo puts on an unforgettable show of natural splendour all summer. Lace up your walking boots and take the chairlift from Thredbo village to embark on a self-guided exploration or a tour of the Snowy Mountains’ most compelling landscapes.

These eight unforgettable hiking experiences are only available in summer and offer an alpine adventure like you’ve never experienced before.

1. Full Moon Hike to Mt Kosciuszko

There’s something almost mystical about hiking by the light of a full moon. This guided experience begins with a 15-minute chairlift ride, where you’ll admire the Thredbo Valley below, bathed in the fading sun.

Once at the top, you’ll pass rivers, alpine lakes and spot nocturnal wildlife on your way to the Kosciuszko Lookout and Lake Cootapatamba. By the time you reach the summit, sunset is well underway as you watch day give way to night and the alpine landscape magically illuminated by the lunar glow. Enjoy a hot chocolate here before following the path back to Eagles Nest, brightened by the night sky.

This 13-kilometre hike will take place on 3 January, 2 February, and 2 April in 2026.

2. Super Full Moon Hike

Super Full Moon Hike in thredbo — Take in the might of a super full moon.

The only thing that could level up the celestial beauty of a full moon hike would be a super full moon hike . Following the same route, you’ll meet the moon when it is largest and closest to Earth by ascending to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko at an elevation of 2228 metres. From such a height, it almost feels as though you could reach out and touch its glowing surface.

Given the rarity and splendour of the super full moon, limited spots fill up fast for this awe-inspiring hike, so be sure to book the 5 December in advance.

3. Lunar Eclipse Hike

Thredbo Lunar Eclipse Hike — See dazzling celestial displays.

What could be more extraordinary than witnessing a lunar eclipse from Australia’s highest peak? Whether you’re a keen astronomer or simply revel in nature’s beauty, this guided 13-kilometre hike will place you on top of Mount Kosciuszko just as Earth passes between the sun and moon, throwing shade over the lunar surface before transforming it with a deep-red hue.

It’s an epic place to witness one of our galaxy’s most spectacular and rare light shows. Apart from the dazzling celestial display, you’ll also enjoy walking through the moon-bathed landscape, an evening chairlift ride, and a hot chocolate at the summit.

Book now for 3 March.

4. New Moon Hike

New Moon Hike Mt Kosciuszko — Catch the changing skies of a new moon.

A stargazer’s delight, the darkness of a new moon gives the Milky Way full permission to dazzle with its shimmering display. Both astronomers and photographers will relish this opportunity to observe and capture the starry skyscape from the lofty height of Australia’s highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko. Departing Thredbo Village at dusk and leaving its twinkling lights far below, you’ll arrive at the summit in time to see the sun slip away and the stars appear.

Catch this hike during the new moon lunar phase on 20 December, 19 January, 17 February, 19 March or 17 April.

5. Thredbo River Track

Embark on a gentle entry into the Snowy Mountain scenery with an amble along the Thredbo River. This self-guided hike hugs the river and wanders along the valley floor, revealing snow gum forests, swimming holes and little waterfalls that make for revitalising cold plunges in the summer heat.

6. Merritts Nature Track

Merritts Nature Track thredbo summer hikes — Stop at swimming holes along the way.

On warm summer days, venturing into the cooler air of Thredbo’s alpine tracks offers relief from the heat. Particularly if you set course for the four-kilometre Merritts Nature Track , where there are opportunities to take a refreshing dip in swimming holes along the way.

The two-to-three-hour self-guided hike meanders through towering ancient trees (dubbed the ‘Pixie Forest’ by locals), takes in stunning mountain vistas and is soundtracked by the melody of birdsong. Stop for a picnic and discover a hidden natural infinity pool, the location of which is given away by the roar of a cascading waterfall.

7. Mt Kosciuszko Summit Tour

Follow a guide along Mt Kosciuszko's summit. — Follow a guide along Mt Kosciuszko’s summit.

While you can easily steer yourself to Australia’s most iconic peak without a guide, following an expert guide to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko will colour your experience with a deeper knowledge of the landscape and its wild inhabitants. The 13-kilometre return trail puts the alpine scenery on display with 360-degree views from the highest spot in the country.

The walk begins at the top of the Kosciuszko Chairlift and takes around four to six hours to complete, but is gentle enough to be embarked upon by all ages.

8. Snowies Alpine Walk Experience

If you’re looking to truly untether from daily life and embark on a real immersion in Thredbo’s stunning alpine scenery, pack your hiking boots for the newest multi-day walk in the mountains. The Snowies Alpine Walk can be tackled over two or three days and includes nightly accommodation in the iconic Thredbo Alpine Hotel, daily buffet breakfast, packed lunch and dinner vouchers, plus daily transfers to and from trail heads in a brand-new Defender.

The two-day experience covers 24 kilometres, while the three-day experience almost doubles that at 44 kilometres. Along the way, explore barely trod landscapes, vast high-country plains and uplifting mountain horizons.

Discover the full offering of summer hikes in Thredbo at thredbo.com.au.

9 delicious reasons you need a trip to the Clarence Valley