Famous dine and drink spots in Yamba

The arrival of its first boutique hotel has helped usher in a new era of cool for Yamba. But the appeal of this quintessential coastal town remains timeless, writes Lara Picone. Discover why Yamba sailed in at no.12 on your list of Top 50 Aussie towns.

Find the complete list of the Top 50 Aussie Towns here.

For an Australian coastal town with an outstretched hand to would-be holidaymakers, Yamba is a little unique. Long has the town welcomed guests to frolic in her surfside waters, weary from road trips and keen to let the sunlight evaporate burdens of everyday life. But it remained just a faint blip on the radar for the longest time. Strange, because this northern NSW town stockpiles the holiday goods, from yawning beaches pocketed with rockpools to gentle inlets and rivers, and a collection of off-beach entertainment.

sunrise watching by the seashore of Yamba — Seize the sunrise. (Image: Destination NSW)

Don’t get me wrong, people came, memories were forged, and childhoods routinely blasted with salt spray, Paddle Pop ice-creams and sunburn. But the hype never seemed to reach that of other destinations with equal assets. That has all changed now, though. And, if you haven’t yet heard, here’s the public service announcement: Yamba is the ‘it’ town. This new era of ‘hotness’ has perhaps been ushered in by the arrival of the town’s first boutique hotel, The Surf. But it’s unfair to credit one establishment with all the breathless praise, particularly when Yamba has been the ideal place to retreat into the fantasy of an endless summer for years now.

The Surf Yamba — The sleepy seaside hamlet is known for its surf. (Image: Elise Hassey)

In fact, it’s not any singular entity that makes Yamba delightful; it’s more of a feeling. It’s the nostalgia of summer holidays as a kid, complete with the freedom granted by your half-tiddled parents letting you pedal through town, flanked by other emancipated youths. It’s the quiet roar of the ocean lulling you, against better judgement, to fall asleep on the beach. And it’s the vinegar on your fish and chips that cuts through your palate like a razor. All good things made better by the fact that Yamba is, to visitors at least, unaffected, sandy-footed relaxation at its best.

Here’s where to start.

Where to eat

Karrikin

Karrikin brings to the table an ethos that revolves around the local landscape and its harvests. Owners Clare Bourke and Zac Roberts arrange flavours with light and shade, allowing each component to impress the palate. Pair with an Australian botanical cocktail in the shaded garden and enjoy the journey.

Beachwood Cafe

Sevtap Yuce’s incredible fare is more than lightly inspired by her home country of Turkey, but it’s clear the cornucopia of the Clarence River also find its way onto the plate. On a sun-soaked day, Beachwood is the perfect place for a lazy breakfast or even lazier lunch.

The Kiosk , Main Beach

A place to watch hardy locals wash onto shore in the brisk morning or children assembling ultimately doomed sandcastles, this little tuckshop in the Yamba Surf Life Saving Club is a wonderful spot for gazing into the blue and scrunching your toes in the sand while slurping a morning juice. Perched under a striped umbrella, you can easily let the morning roll into midday here.

Yamba Main Beach — Lines of swell pushing into Yamba. (Image: Destination NSW)

Yamba Farmers & Producers Market

Chances are you’re staying in apartment accommodation where you can self-cater meals pieced together with some of the area’s freshly plucked, picked and pickled produce and baked goods from Ashby Sourdough. For that, you’ll want to grab your basket and get along to the Wednesday market, held weekly.

Yamba Farmers and Producers Market — Drop by the Ashby Sourdough to grab some organic bread. (Image: Destination NSW)

Where to drink

Sanctus Brewing Co

A sidestep from town, this brewery rolls open its barn-style doors to invite thirsty punters to sample its hoppy wares. Pull up a patch on the family-friendly grass and spend an afternoon enjoying brews and seasonally inspired bar bites. Sometimes they fire up the smoker, other times, there’s live music. Best to designate a driver from the outset.

Last Rites

Extending the evening options beyond the clifftop Pacific Hotel is this newish watering hole and music venue. Loosely Gothic in theme, this semi-dive bar serves up live music and late-night bites, such as pillowy bao buns and loaded pizzas, with your freely given right to drink and be merry.

Where to stay

Blue Dolphin Holiday Resort

This place is utopia for children and parents alike . Sure, it’s relatively rudimentary but its riverside location is stunning. Whether you’re camping or staying in a waterside holiday unit, you won’t regret this if you have young children, as they will talk about it for decades to come. Pools, a jumping pillow, go-karts, and a swim-up bar have everyone covered.

The Surf

This breezy boutique hotel , a reimagining of a 1920s-era building, is a refreshing expression of beachside luxury. There’s no pomp or ceremony, just good, detailed design and a prime position within a sandal’s throw of Main Beach.

Pacific Hotel

Watching the Pacific Ocean undulate between dramatic greys and serene blues is this stalwart hotel . It’s a pub first and foremost, and a great place to clink glasses in honour of the day. Upstairs, there are two basic rooms, which are perhaps earmarked for a refresh. However, there are also two stylishly refurbished ‘signature rooms’, one town-facing and the other positioned with full view of the ocean’s theatrics. This iconic pub is a great place to retreat post-Sunday session.

Explore more of Yamba in our travel guide or find out which other towns made it into your Top 50.

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.

Top Towns for 2022: Where to eat, stay and play in Yamba