22 magnificent things to do in Yamba this summer

Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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Make the most of your visit to this charming coastal village with our list of the best things to do in Yamba.

The seaside village of Yamba is the sort of place that prompts visiting city dwellers to dream about downsizing. Grab an obligatory schooner of beer at the Pacific Hotel, sign up for a surfing lesson, enjoy an iconic coastal walk, swim at a nearby waterfall and fall for Yamba’s low-key Australian charm by exploring its lovely landscapes and beautiful beaches. Here are 18 fabulous things to do in Yamba.

1. Soak up some self-care at Exhale Yamba

an outdoor spa bath at Exhale Yamba
Exhale Yamba features a dreamy outdoor spa bath in a lush garden setting.

Australia’s obsession with the rejuvenating art of spa baths knows no bounds with Yamba the latest destination to embrace the trend. Drop your bags and float over to Exhale Yamba to explore the beach town’s first foray into holistic bathhouse territory. Offering mineral-enriched baths in a lush garden setting, plus traditional and infrared saunas and cold plunging in an ice bath, the wellness haven is undoubtedly one of the most replenishing things to do in Yamba. It opened its doors in November 2023 and also offers massage treatments, breath work services and beauty services.

2. Explore the Blue and Green Pools in Angourie

Angourie Blue Pool, Angourie, Yamba, NSW, Australia
The Blue and Green Pools make an escape to Yamba even more magical. (Image: Destination NSW)

You’ll need to veer off the Pacific Highway and cross the serpentine, Clarence River, to get to Yamba, which is only a couple of hours from its boho sibling, Byron Bay. And while salty-haired surfers flock to Yamba to go surfing, a visit to the emerald Blue and Green Pools makes an escape to Yamba even more magical.

Both are open for swimming, although it’s good to check local guidelines as there can be algae blooms, especially in summer. The pools are located at The Crescent, a reserve that is culturally significant to the Yaegl community.

3. Take a ferry ride from Yamba to Iluka

the MV Mirigini along the scenic Clarence River
Hop aboard MV Mirigini along the scenic Clarence River.

Admire Yamba’s tropical beauty from the water with Clarence River Ferries’ historic MV Mirigini, which sluices daily between Yamba and Iluka on the mouth of the Clarence River.

The ferry also offers informative excursions to nearby Harwood Island on Wednesday and Friday, as well as a live music cruise on Sunday.

4. Swim, dive, snorkel, fish or surf Yamba’s beaches

an aerial view of Pippi Beach, Yamba
Yamba is the poster child for the beautiful beaches of Northern NSW. (Image: Destination NSW)

Yamba is the poster child for the beautiful beaches of Northern NSW. Take the pup down to dog-friendly Pippi Beach or relax under palm fronds at the lesser-known Convent Beach.

Keen fisherman? The surrounding waterways in Yamba are teeming with fish, and you’ll find a plethora of great fishing spots – head to Yamba Bait and Tackle in town and ask where to get started. The knowledgeable staff are happy to help out. Avid surfers will love Main Beach, which often has great waves, or nearby Angourie with Spooky Beach being one of the best places near Yamba for snorkelling, too.

5. Entertain the kids at Yamba Bowling Club

The Yamba Bowlo is an institution, renowned for its extensive kid-friendly activities. There’s ten pin bowling, a mini golf course, a rock wall and a maze for toddlers, so even the little ones are well-catered for.

The Friday and Sunday raffles are big news, especially in the high summer season (winning a seafood BBQ dinner? Nothing beats it!), and its Norfolk Bistro offers up classic club fare like schnitties and seafood baskets. It’s also worth checking out the bowling club’s gig guide as loads of major Australian artists, including the Hoodoo Gurus and Paul Kelly, have played there.

6. Book a BBQ boat charter for a day on the water

Soak up the sun and laidback feasting aboard a BBQ boat charter. Services can be snapped up via Yamba B.B.Q. Boat Hire, located at Yamba Marina on Yamba Road. Take your pick from three six-seater cuddy cab runabouts, two eight-seater vessels, two 10-seater vessels and two 12-seater pontoon choices.

All boats include your all-important barbecue, cushioned seating, toilets, life jackets, a first aid kit and shading to fend off those epic local rays.

7. Visit the picturesque Peach Farm Bush Camp

Woman picking a peach from the tree
Time your visit for harvest season and pick your own peaches fresh from the trees.

For those craving an escape to the country, The Peach Farm Bush Camp delivers with its rural surrounds in the Lower Clarence, a top spot to spend a night under the stars. It’s also a great day activity for families as visitors are invited to feed farm animals (think bunnies, chooks, sheep, guinea pigs and more) as bags of feed are available to guests for a fee.

The kids will also find their fix at the beautiful nature playground and there’s a neighbourhood shop stocked with the farms’ pickings, snacks, sweets and more.

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8. Catch some thrills onboard a fishing charter

While we’re on the topic of boats, it’s worth considering a full or half day fishing charter out there, too. The options are abundant with the likes of Yamba Fishing and Charters, Reel Time Fishing Charters and Solitary Island Fishing Charters facilitating regular charters.

Whatever you opt for, Yamba fishing charters always promise to guide you through baiting your hook and rigging your line to help you land a big, juicy one for that ultimate happy snap. Already a seasoned pro? These expeditions are pure indulgence, brimming with plenty of opportunities to make a catch.

9. Run the Yamba Breakwall track

Pods of dolphins in Yamba
Playful pods of dolphins are a regular sight in Yamba.

One of the best Yamba jogging routes is along the Yamba Breakwall, which separates Turners Beach and the Clarence River. You’ll head past the historic Yamba lighthouse, which has existed in its coastal location for over 100 years. Keep an eye out for dolphins which often frequent the waters here.

Best of all, the Yamba Breakwall is dog-friendly (just keep them on a leash), and wide enough to enjoy strolling alongside friends, too.

10. Chow down at the Yamba Prawn Shack

Prawns by the water
Embrace your own boat-to-plate experience at the Yamba Prawn Shack.

The Clarence River Fisherman’s Co-Op is marked on the Sydney Fish Market map as a suggested stop on a seafood-centric road trip, so you know it’s worth a visit. As well as selling fish and chips alongside fresh seafood you can BBQ at home, the co-op supplies Yamba prawns, oysters and other delicious crustaceans to the Yamba Prawn Shack, one of the best boat-to-plate spots to pick up fresh seafood in Yamba. Order a bucket-load of prawns to go, then head to the headland overlooking Main Beach for a picnic.

11. Sample fine sips at the Yamba Distilling Co.

Change your clocks to Clarence Valley time and settle in for a tasting at Yamba Distilling Co., where you can indulge in tasting paddles and cocktails crafted from the team’s dry gin (and coffee liqueur) creations.

It’s an adult-specific thing to do in Yamba but children and dogs are welcome within the venue’s Gin Garden, if they’re kept under control.

12. Find a brew with a view at The Pacific Hotel

a suite with balcony at The Pacific Hotel, Yamba
Bed down at this Art Deco beauty.

The Pacific Hotel is a Yamba mainstay and one of the best Yamba accommodation picks. But it’s also plenty frequented for its views. A renovated beauty with one of the best seats in town, the prominent landmark offers surf, sea, and sun on tap, so expect a few crusty surfers lurking on the deck in search of a swell. Go for the house-beer-battered fish served with salad and fries and stay for the live entertainment.

13. Relax with a massage

the treatment room at Mikahuna Massage & Bodywork
Treat yourself to a rejuvenating treatment at Mikahuna Massage & Bodywork.

Yamba has several excellent day spas and massage specialists worth checking out if you need some wind-down time on your holiday. Melt Massage and Beauty in nearby Maclean is a popular salon, offering massage and body therapies as well as facials and lengthier packages.

Another popular choice is Ngara Beauty, a day spa run by mother and daughter locals, Natalie Le Breton and Daisy Lloyd. For something different, Mikahuna Massage & Bodywork offers traditional Hawaiian massage techniques.

14. Hire a bike and explore Angourie

a couple biking in Yamba
Yamba offers numerous picturesque cycling spots. (Image: Destination NSW)

While you can drive to the Blue and Green pools in Angourie, a nice day trip can involve renting a bike and cycling along the highway between Yamba and the sleepy surf town. Bike Shop Yamba rents bikes out to visitors, and the ride will take you approximately 20 minutes.

Many of Yamba’s hotels and motels will also have bikes you can borrow for free, so it’s worth checking with your accommodation before looking beyond. Remember to always wear a helmet and be cautious when riding – the highway is wide and has a dedicated bike path but there is an 80 km/h speed limit along some stretches.

15. Sink cracking cold ones at Wobbly Chook

Corkscrew around the Clarence for long enough and chances are you’ll steer into Wobbly Chook, located in Yamba’s industrial estate. The microbrewery offers a selection of beers including lager, IPA and a particularly memorable ‘Dirty Bird’ brown ale, which will, according to owner Justin, “put hairs on your chest". The must-visit is also open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, selling everything from bacon and egg rolls to pulled pork nachos — delicious stomach-lining stuff.

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16. Hike along the Yuraygir coastal walk

a couple spending time together along the Yuraygir coastal walk
The 65-kilometre-long multi-day walk traces the coastline from Angourie to Red Rock. (Image: Destination NSW)

The multi-day Yuraygir coastal walk along the Clarence Coast is dotted with places to stop for a snorkel or swim or to look out for whales. The 65-kilometre-long multi-day walk traces the coastline from Angourie to Red Rock with overnight stops at beautiful beach campgrounds.

The trail journeys through the traditional homelands of the Gumbaynggirr and Yaegl nations along an ancient path followed by Australia’s coastal emus. Time it right (around October) and you’ll be able to bask in flannel flower pastures, which are pretty spectacular.

17. Shop at Yamba’s best boutiques

a look inside the boutique shop at Island Collective, Yamba
Hunt for treasures to take home at Island Collective.

Yamba is loved for its quirky charm, and a large part of that charm is due to the local, independent boutiques and homeware shops that wouldn’t look out of place in our beloved Byron Bay (but without the bumper-to-bumper crowds).

Bounce between One Country Mouse, Podium (which stocks Australian labels like Zulu & Zephyr and Rowie The Label) and Island Collective while hunting for treasures to take home. Don’t miss Summi Summi, too, a local fashion label stocking killer summer wardrobe essentials.

18. Catch a flick at Yamba Cinema

Whether you prefer cult classics or new releases, this independent movie theatre will offer your fix. The cinema is all old-school Yamba nostalgia with its single-screen space, however up to 200 guests can comfortably fit within its walls. Located just a few minutes from the town centre, the ultra-comfy cinema is dressed in red-velvet curtains while also serving popcorn and choc-tops at its snack bar.

19. Meet the makers at the Yamba Farmers & Producers Markets

fresh produce from the Yamba Farmers and Producers Market, Yamba
Fill your basket with fresh produce. (Image: Destination NSW)

To see this tight-knit community do what they do best, factor in a visit to Yamba Farmers & Producers Market, which operates Wednesdays from 7am at the Whiting Beach carpark on the corner of Clarence and Harbour Streets.

Young creatives have moved to the region in droves, and you’ll get a sense of this when you wander around the weekly event, as stallholders sell everything from microgreens to sourdough and sushi.

Alternatively, check out the Yamba River Markets, which take place on the fourth Sunday of every month at Ford Park on the Clarence River. You’ll find loads of local businesses selling everything from fresh produce to fashion.

20. Follow the Lower Clarence Aboriginal Tourist Site Drive

The Clarence River region holds great importance to the local Goorie (Aboriginal) people, and this driving route steers visitors around significant sites where you can honour the stories of the Traditional Owners of the Land.

Stop at 13 sites along the way to learn Dreamtime stories about the Durrangan (which the Goories believe to be a powerful spirit) and the creation of the Clarence Aboriginal People.

21. Connect to nature at Nymboida Camping and Canoeing

a campsite in a forest at within Nymboida Camping and Canoeing
Get off the grid and unwind in one of the campsites.

Eight sections. 195 kilometres. Eight waterfalls. 12 campsites. Australia’s longest mapped whitewater trail, the Clarence Canoe and Kayak Trail within Nymboida Camping and Canoeing, snakes between Nymboi-Binderay National Park and the township of Copmanhurst, containing some of the most diverse conditions for paddling found anywhere in the world. But it’s not just for gung-ho action heroes. The epic trail also has family-friendly sections and experienced guides who can paddle with you.

22. Paddle through stillness with a kayak tour

Yamba Kayaks on the Clarence River
Explore mangroves along the Clarence River on a kayak. (Image: Destination NSW)

Skip the frothy surf for a meander down the stunning Clarence River. Yamba Kayak offers a range of diverse tours including the standout three-hour River Island Tour which explores local islands, mangroves and secret beaches inside the mouth of the river. Morning tea, coffee and tea is also included.

This article was originally written by Carla Grossetti with updates by Kristie Lau-Adams.

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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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This surprising regional town is making its mark on the culinary world

(Image: Visit Griffith)

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    With more than 60 nationalities calling it home and a century of Italian influence shaping its paddocks and plates, Griffith is a regional Australian town with serious culinary cred.

    It might feel surprising to learn that Griffith is one of Australia’s leading food destinations. In-the-know Italians have understood this for generations, drawn to the Riverina region’s fertile soils that reminded them of the terrain they’d left behind more than a century ago. These days, Griffith supplies much of the nation’s pantry: 95 per cent of Australia’s prunes come from the region, it’s the country’s largest citrus-growing area, and it’s a leading producer of almonds and walnuts. Even the pickles in every McDonald’s burger nationwide are produced in Griffith. This is not just a farming town; the Griffith food scene is leading the way.

    Here, culinary confidence is rooted in migration. Italian families began arriving from 1913, with a second wave settling after the Second World War. Today, Griffith has the highest proportion of Italian ancestry of any Local Government Area in Australia. Add to that more than 60 nationalities represented across the community and you have a town where food is driven not by trends, but by tradition. Griffith’s motto, ‘Taste our culture’, isn’t marketing spin; it’s the reality.

    Where the vines tell a story

    A hand pouring wine into a glass, with a table filled with food.
    Uncover the stories behind every glass. (Image: Destination NSW)

    The Riverina has long been dubbed the food bowl of Australia, but it’s also a wine region that remains largely under the radar. What sets Griffith apart is that every one of its wineries is family-owned, many spanning generations.

    Calabria Family Wines is one of the region’s standard-bearers. The Calabria story began in 1945 when Francesco Calabria planted his first vines; today, the family continues to shape the region’s identity while also stewarding the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand. McWilliam’s was the first winery to plant vines in the area, and its barrel-shaped cellar door – complete with a soaring stained-glass window – remains one of the most distinctive in regional NSW.

    Yarran Wines, run by the Brewer family, showcases estate-grown fruit across Mediterranean varietals that thrive in the warm climate. Expect bold reds and textured whites that reflect both heritage and innovation.

    Set inside the old ambulance station, Harvest HQ is owned and operated by the Riverina Winemakers Association and pours a rotating selection of local wines under one roof. It also features spirits from The Aisling Distillery, reinforcing the region’s collaborative approach to craft.

    At the table

    A flat lay of a steak.
    Dine where tradition meets a bold new generation. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    If the vineyards tell one story, the dining rooms tell another. Griffith’s restaurants are where tradition and next-gen confidence meet.

    Zecca Handmade Italian occupies the former Rural Bank building, an imposing Art Deco landmark from the late 1930s. ‘Zecca’ means money print, and the name is a nod to the Zecca di Venezia in Venice. Here, find the Riverina’s only producer of dried artisan pasta and traditional Italian recipes. Importantly, the growers and producers supplying the kitchen are listed on the menu as a transparent expression of the region’s farm-to-table ethos.

    Established in 1977 and still run by the Vico family, La Scala puts authentic Italian cuisine on centre stage. Expect handmade pasta, traditional wood-fired pizzas, slow-cooked sauces and dishes that follow recipes guarded like family heirlooms. For something more contemporary, Bull & Bell in Gem Hotel is a shrine to the Euro-style steakhouse that works closely with local farmers and artisans to showcase Riverina produce.

    And then there are the institutions. Bertoldo’s Pasticceria, now in its third generation, draws locals daily for cannoli, biscotti, crostoli and house-made gelato, alongside classic sausage rolls and potato pies. La Piccola Grosseria feels like stepping into an Italian alimentari, its shelves lined with continental goods that wouldn’t feel out of place in Puglia.

    Meanwhile, Limone celebrates local and seasonal produce across breakfast and lunch menus, enriched by the produce and stories of Piccolo Family Farm. Find pastries and sourdough baked daily, and pop into the onsite retail pantry for products from regional producers – including the Piccolo family’s own wine range, Caro Piccolo.

    From the source

    A plated Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod dish.
    Taste world-renowned Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, straight from its source. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    Behind every menu is a producer. Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod is perhaps Griffith’s most high-profile export; the brand’s Murray cod and Aquna Gold Murray Cod Caviar have achieved global recognition. In October 2024, Aquna presented its products to King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the NSW Premier’s Community BBQ in Parramatta. Impressed by the producer’s sustainable farming practices, the King requested the cod be sent to Buckingham Palace – not bad for a fish farm in regional NSW.

    Mandolé Orchard champions almonds grown on a family-run farm, transforming them into almond milk and value-added products. At Morella Grove, olives are pressed into premium olive oil and pantry staples that speak to Griffith’s Mediterranean heart. These producers are not peripheral; they are central to the town’s culinary ecosystem. Learn about local sustainable farming practices during a farm tour.

    Mark your calendar

    A woman walking past a food mural, something you can spot during A Taste of Italy Griffith.
    Plan your visit around A Taste of Italy Griffith. (Image: Visit Griffith)

    For a town that helps stock Australia’s supermarkets, Griffith has remained curiously absent from the national dining conversation. That’s beginning to change. If you’ve been searching for a regional food destination with substance, heritage and a clear sense of identity, you’ll find it here in the Riverina, right under your nose.

    Time your visit to the Riverina region to coincide with A Taste of Italy Griffith, held every August. This week-long celebration of Italian heritage and culture offers a wide range of Italian-inspired events and experiences to enjoy. Expect long-table lunches, wine tasting experiences, cooking classes and a Makers in the Piazza market. The headline event is a ticketed long lunch – Festa delle Salsicce (Salami Festival) – where winners of the best salami are announced.

    Start planning your foodie getaway at visitgriffith.com.au.