FAST FACTS

GETTING THERE Yamba is about 300 kilometres to the south of Brisbane and 700 kilometres north of Sydney. There are daily flflights to both the Clarence Valley airport near Grafton (about an hour’s drive south-west of Yamba) and to Ballina airport (about 80 minutes’ drive north of Yamba), and hire cars available at both airports. BEST TIME TO VISIT Book your trip as the summer holidays unwind in late January, although the weather is lovely — sitttting around 20–25°C — from December right through to April. WHERE TO STAY BEACHThis place SHACKhas the ON best MAIN location in Yamba. Find a holiday rental on, or close to, Pilot Street, overlooking Main Beach, with the pub at one end and the lighthouse at the other. Ocean Street, overlooking Convent Beach, is another option. (02) 6646 2202; yambaaccommodation.com.au/ accommodation/59 PATARA COTTAGE A laid-back beach cottttage in a great spot. (02) 6646 2202; airbnb.com.au/ rooms/11169416 THE CALYPSO YAMBA HOLIDAY PARK This gem is for campers and caravaners, right on the river and in the heart of the town. Lot 202 Harbour Street. (02) 6646 8847. WHERE TO EAT BEACHWOOD CAFÉ Owner Sevtap Yuce has created something pretttty special in her postage stamp-sized Turkish café. She uses fresh, local ingredients, including prawns straight offff the trawler. Allpress coffffee accompanies the breakfasts. 22 High Street. (02) 6646 9781; beachwoodcafe.com.au THE ITALIAN ON THE HILL Formerly Osteria Martini, this place has great wood-fifired pizzas. Plus, they do equally excellent gluten-free pizzas. 16 Clarence Street. (02) 6645 8286; theitalianonthehill.com IRONS AND CRAIG An airy café named after the grandmothers of owners Antony Perring and David Barnier. There is a sunny deck out the front and a garden complete with chickens out the back. Great for breakfast and lunch. They also hold the occasional degustation dinner. 29 Coldstream Street. (02) 6646 1258; ironsandcraig.com UPTOWN YAMBA A hole-in-thewall at the top of the hill where you can get coffffees by day and cocktails by night. 10 Clarence Street. uptownyamba.com THE PACIFIC HOTEL Head to the Art Deco pub on top of the hill for drinks with a view, live music and great food. 18 Pilot Street. (02) 6646 2466; pacififichotelyamba.com.au LECHE CAFÉ This is a modern addition to the Yamba café scene. It offffers great coffffee and opens at 6am for the early risers. 27 Coldstream Street. 0401 471 202. THE MEXICAN Here you’ll fifind margaritas and $5 tacos on Tuesday nights. 2/25 Coldstream Street. (02) 6646 8259; themexicanyamba.com MONA’S KITCHEN Mona’s serves excellent Thai food with friendly service. 5 Yamba Street. (02) 6646 1333. YUM YUM ANGOURIE CAFÉ AND GENERAL STORE After a surf, slip offff your wetsuit and wander along to this charming café, dating back to the 1970s, for a milkshake and a fifish burger. It also stocks basic supplies. 4/17 The Crescent, Angourie. (02) 6646 2467. BARBARESCO For a special night out, head to Barbaresco’s for Italian food and cocktails with a casual-chic ambience. 15 The Crescent, Angourie. (02) 6646 3745 WHATYAMBAThe morning,at Find the marketthem Whiting FARMERSfromon TOis Facebookon Beach7am SEE every MARKETSto car 11am,& Wednesdayfor park.DO more information and updates. YAMBA RIVER MARKETS Expect food, craft and arts at Ford Park on the fourth Sunday of every month. Wooli Street. yambarivermarkets.com.au YURAYGIR NATIONAL PARK Take a short walk through the park or embark on the full 65-kilometre route from Angourie to Red Rock, through Brooms Head and Sandon Beach, where you can spot dolphins, whales and sea turtles in the clear waters. The full walk takes four to fifive days. nationalparks.nsw.gov.au ANGOURIE BLUE AND GREEN POOLS Enjoy these deep pools that were former rock quarries. (Visitors should check with Clarence Valley Council if the water conditions are safe for swimming fifirst.) The Crescent, Angourie. clarence.nsw.gov.au ILUKA Catch the ferry to Iluka on the other side of the Clarence River. Walk the Iluka Rainforest track (an easy 2.5-kilometre walk) and then eat at the Marracas Boatshed Café. 2a Charles Street, Iluka. (02) 6646 5212.