The ultimate guide to Yamba’s best beaches

Carla Grossetti 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)

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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)

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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)

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Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti has written across print and digital for Australian Traveller and International Traveller for more than a decade and has spent more than two decades finding excuses to eat well and travel far. A prestigious News Corp cadetship launched her career at The Cairns Post, before a stint at The Canberra Times and The Sydney Morning Herald gave way to extended wanders through Canada, the US, Mexico, Central America, Asia and Europe. Carla was chief sub editor at delicious and has contributed to Good Food, Travel & Luxury, Explore Travel, Escape. While living in London, Carla was on staff at Condé Nast Traveller and The Sunday Times Travel desk and was part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK.
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After dark: 6 experiences along the Murray lighting up the night

(Credit: Serena Munro)

    Gemma Kaczerepa Gemma Kaczerepa
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    See the Murray region in an entirely different light by exploring its night-time experiences and attractions.

    By day, the mighty Murray River is a majestic and ever-changing sight, with river red gums and wetlands stretching along 2500 kilometres. But by night, its cities, towns, villages and landscapes totally transform.

    From Albury Wodonga to Mildura, and everywhere in between, you’ll be in for a multi-sensory and memorable treat encompassing mesmerising light shows, guided ghost tours and vibrant celebrations that capture the nocturnal magic of the river.

    This is no ordinary nighttime adventure; the region becomes an entirely different world when the sun sets. Discover six must-do activities along the Murray that can only be enjoyed after dark.

    1. Share in ghostly tales

    Port After Dark tour Murray at night
    Hold on to your nerve when learning local ghost stories. (Credit: Campaspe Shire Council)

    If you’re up for something a little more spine-tingling, Port After Dark in Echuca is your best bet. Rumour has it that the Port of Echuca Wharf and the buildings around it have long been home to lingering ghosts and mysterious events – like the vengeful woman said to haunt an old tramway bridge and spirits searching for stolen money through the town centre.

    You can hear all about them on this guided lantern tour, which takes place on Wednesday and Saturday nights after dark. The stories are atmospheric and intriguing – you may even spot a ghost or two yourself. If you’d like a more intimate experience, private tours are also available to groups of 15 or more.

    2. Wander art installations

    Bruce Munroe's Fibre Optic Symphoinic Orchestra Murray at night
    See Bruce Munro’s immersive art installation. (Credit: Serena Munro)

    Right near the Perry Sandhills, sits an experience that feels almost otherworldly. Artist Bruce Munro (of Uluru’s Field of Lights fame) has created a Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra, a network of 80 Hills Hoists illuminated with fibre optic light combined with the sounds of an orchestra. The clotheslines glow and pulse in time to the specially composed score, immersing you in a dreamscape of light and sound.

    For a different light experience, you’ll find stillness at Trail of Lights, also curated by Munro. Located just 30 minutes away on Lock Island in Mildura, thousands of lights stretch over the landscape, spotlighting both the river and a series of Munro’s sculptures. The trail is intended to be a peaceful and meditative setting for wandering and reflecting.

    3. Learn through lasers

    Heartbeat of the Murray at night
    Travel 30 million years into the Murray’s past at Heartbeat of the Murray. (Credit: Ewen Bell)

    Discover a fascinating history in this dual act of lights and projections on the banks of the Little Murray River. Legends of the Mallee is a multimedia show in Swan Hill combining lasers and lights, which tells the story of the region’s rich past. Learn about the Wamba Wamba and Wadi Wadi Peoples who first inhabited the area, as well as the figures and events that shaped the Mallee of today.

    The river steals the spotlight in the Heartbeat of the Murray, a multimedia spectacle inside the Pioneer Settlement encompassing lights, lasers, sound and special effects against the natural backdrop. Through a sequence of large-scale animated projections, you’ll go back 30 million years to explore the Murray River’s formation before travelling to the present to learn how it supports modern communities.

    4. Light up the lake

    Lake Mulwala Laser Light Show Murray at night
    Watch the lights and lasers of Lake Mulwala. (Credit: Mulwala Water Ski Club)

    Travelling with kids? Head to Yarrawonga Mulwala and nearby Lake Mulwala for the family-friendly Laser Light & Sound Show. Lights and lasers are projected over the lake and onto curtains of fog, creating a colourful and high-energy visual display. The show suits all ages and tastes, set to a mix of songs that everyone knows and loves.

    You can take in the spectacle from either the grassy banks of the lake or book a table at the Mulwala Water Ski Club’s Malibu Deck Cafe, serving pub-style food and refreshing drinks, including excellent classic cocktails. If you’re watching from the foreshore, the show is entirely free, making it a great budget-friendly option.

    5. Be captivated by local culture

    Bullanginya Dreaming Murray at night
    Soak in the culture of the Bangerang People. (Credit: Laser Vision)

    Set aside an evening to explore Bullanginya Dreaming in Cobram Barooga – you’ll want ample time to take in the stories and symbolism of this immersive laser light and sound trail. The 1.8-kilometre trail explores the storytelling and culture of the Bangerang People, who have long cared for the lands around Bullanginya Lagoon in Barooga. The trail features 12 activations – each telling a different story – and combines dramatic lights and lasers with water and fire.

    Intertwined with the visual displays are Bangerang narratives, giving you meaningful insight into the area’s Indigenous heritage. It’s designed to be explored over 90 or so minutes, encouraging you to move slowly and thoughtfully.

    6. Discover a winter glow

    winterglow festival
    See the streets of Albury Wodonga come to life after dark. (Credit: Visit Albury Wodonga)

    Albury Wodonga comes alive as the weather drops, with an annual celebration of the season on Saturday, 15 August. WinterGlow takes over the CBD and features a vibrant program of things to see, do, learn, eat and drink.

    Take part in hands-on workshops that let you try different art forms and crafts. Feast on street food and winter warmers from local eateries. Browse for artisan wares at the night markets. Watch musical acts on the main stage. Or get involved in different activations, including a silent disco and giant maze. Artificial snow will be falling to add to the festive atmosphere.

    Even wandering the streets and laneways and soaking up the late-night energy will leave you feeling enchanted.

    Start planning a day-to-night adventure along the Murray at visitthemurray.com.au.