The ultimate guide to Yamba’s best beaches

Carla GrossettiBy 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
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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Where to eat, sleep and visit on Grand Pacific Drive, and beyond

    Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
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    The ultimate road trip begins and ends on NSW’s stunning Grand Pacific Drive.

    Whales, charming villages, fine wine and stunning natural vistas: there’s a lot to love about a road trip along the Grand Pacific Drive in New South Wales. Winding from the Royal National Park through Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven before heading inland to the Southern Highlands, this scenic drive makes for an unforgettable road trip.

    But like all great road trips, it’s not just about the drive but the stops made along the way. From incredible farm-to-plate (and grape-to-glass) dining options to unbeatable natural vistas and quaint towns with beautiful accommodation, there’s plenty to explore en route.

    Shellharbour Marina
    Spend time in Shellharbour Marina.

    Where to eat

    What is a road trip without incredible food? Whether you’re after fresh seafood, slow-cooked paddock-to-plate feasts or delicious wines, you’ll find something around every bend along Grand Pacific Drive.

    Restaurant Santino is a local Wollongong secret we can’t keep quiet any longer. With a fresh take on Italian cuisine, servings are hearty and flavours are comforting. The chitarra with blue swimmer crab, garlic, chilli, parsley and crustacean oil is a crowd favourite.

    Keep it local in Shellharbour with a menu all about fresh local produce at Relish on Addison . From South Coast oysters and blue swimmer crab linguine to crispy pork belly, surf and turf takes on an elevated meaning here.

    Kiama’s neighbourhood wine and cocktail bar, Little Betty’s , is just as good for a tasty share plate as it is for creative cocktails. The signature Grilled Octopus with burnt honey, garlic confit and sautéed Asian greens is worth a trip on its own.

    Only the best will do in Shoalhaven, where multi-award-winning Bangalay Dining uses native Australian ingredients to bring its dishes to life. Start with the Smoked trout croquette before moving on to the sautéed potato gnocchi. Don’t forget the white chocolate mousse for dessert.

    Meanwhile, the Southern Highlands are full of culinary highlights. From dining on incredibly fresh, local fare (we’re talking ingredients plucked from the team’s on-site kitchen garden or sourced through local producers) at Eschalot Restaurant in Berrima to creating gin blends at Millsheds Distillery .

    bangalay dining shoalhaven
    Taste native flavours at Bangalay Dining.

    Exploring nature

    Scenery is everything when hitting the road, and Grand Pacific Drive serves it up in spades. Drivers don’t even have to leave the car to enjoy the iconic ocean views from Seacliff Bridge (but several lookouts make it easy to stop).

    Seaside Kiama boasts stunning beaches and famous blowholes. But travellers can also swap ocean for rainforest when taking the Minnamurra Rainforest walk, culminating in a picturesque waterfall. Or soar overhead at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures .

    The scenic coastal drive along Sea Cliff Bridge, Clifton.
    Cruise along the stunning Grand Pacific Drive.

    Between May and November, 30,000 whales make their way passed the South Coast between May and November. Spot them from the coastal shores or join a whale-watching cruise from Shellharbour Marina or Jervis Bay. Dive in with Woebegone Freedive .

    Shellharbour’s Killalea Regional Park is home to a traditional bush tucker and medicine walk with Aboriginal tour group, Gumaraa . Learn Indigenous healing practices and gain a deeper appreciation for the rich heritage and wisdom of the land’s Traditional Owners.

    Wollongong is the perfect place for hikers, with the 6.5-kilometre Wodi Wodi track serving up views, settler history and a variety of landscapes in one loop. If you prefer, skip the walk and pull up at Bald Hill Lookout for expansive views south towards Wollongong (and a hang-glider or two).

    For something truly unique, join the Highland Cow experience at The Swallow’s Nest in the Southern Highlands. In a brand-new offering, get a taste of farm life and help groom and feed these gorgeous creatures.

    kiama coast walk people with dog
    Wander the Kiama Coast Walk.

    Unique experiences

    No need to choose between an adrenaline rush or a culture fix, Grand Pacific Drive serves up both.

    Soar into aviation history at Shellharbour’s HARS Aviation Museum .  Tour the museum, then join a guided walk onto the wing of the record-breaking Qantas Boeing 747 and see the significant historic aircraft up close.

    If ever there was a place to skydive, it’s in Wollongong. Dive from 15,000 feet (tandem, of course) with Sky Dive Wollongong and see the coastal beauty of this region from above.

    Shoalhaven’s Bundanon Art Museum has to be one of the most unique offerings in the country. The legacy of artist Arthur Boyd and more than just a gallery, find eco-accommodation, fine dining, award-winning architecture and community here.

    Kiama’s Crooked River Estate is about more than just delicious wine.  Grab a picnic blanket and enjoy casual food and drinks with live music at Kick Back Fridays , every week.

    Between June and August, the Southern Highlands’ Robertson attracts novice truffle hunters. Join the hunt at family-owned and operated Robertson Truffles (alternatively, you can order truffle treats online, if your sense of adventure isn’t up for it).

    Freshly dug truffles at Terra Preta Truffles, Braidwood.
    Discover hidden gems beneath the soil in the Southern Highlands. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Where to stay

    Road trips are the ultimate promotion for slow travel, encouraging visitors to take their time, enjoy the journey and stop along the way to really immerse themselves in local towns.

    Find history and elegance at Berida Hotel in the Southern Highlands. Intimately set amongst gardens, but still close to the main street of Bowral, this 1920s private residence turned boutique hotel is the perfect stay.

    Stay in one of Barranca’s private villas with views of rolling farmland overlooking the dramatic escarpment at Kangaroo Valley or be surrounded by native bushland (a short walk from the beach) in Jervis Bay.

    Speaking of beachside escapes, Headlands Hotel Austinmer Beach delivers unrivalled access to Wollongong’s beaches. These serviced apartments enjoy coastal views from spacious balconies.

    For something completely different again, check in at Cicada Luxury Camping . Stay in safari-style or large bell tents, each with a private fire pit and top-notch kitchen facilities. Outside, enjoy spectacular countryside views.

    Cicada Luxury Camping
    Unwind at Cicada Luxury Camping. (Image: DNSW)

    Discover more and plan your ultimate road trip along the Grand Pacific Drive and beyond at grandpacificdrive.com.au/grand.