Fast facts
- Bustling holiday resort with a large fishing fleet
- Built around a headland at the mouth of the Clarence River
- 682 km north of Sydney, population 5,000
Why go there
Yamba has all the attributes you would expect of a coastal holiday resort town, including great beaches, a marina, and lots of cafes, a broad river and a lighthouse. Better still, according to scientists, Yamba also has one of the best climates you could ever hope to find, with temperate winters and long, warm, summer days.
The fishing in the area is superb, as the local fishing fleet testifies, and anglers have a choice of rock, beach, estuary or deep-sea fishing spots. Boats are available for hire or charter, and houseboats and cruisers are another holiday option. Yamba is especially known for its prawns and oysters.
History
The location at the mouth of this huge river system made this a logical site for a town. Yamba was established in the 1860s, initially to serve the traffic along the river. By the 1890s it had become a small tourist resort. The town's reputation for recreational fishing was enhanced by the annual fishing contest which began in 1958.
Things to do
- Head for the beaches – there are safe, sheltered beaches for families as well as crashing waves for those who prefer the wild surf.
- Drive south to the tiny settlement of Angourie, a legend in the surfing world. The town even has its own surfboard manufacturer.
- Fishing fleets from Yamba, Iluka and Maclean catch 20 per cent of the state’s seafood – so enjoy fresh seafood here.
Events
- Yamba Lions Family Fishing Festival in September is a fun event that brings out the angler in everyone.
Don’t miss
- The ferry ride across the river mouth to Iluka.
- Camping at the mouth of the Sandon River in Yuraygir National Park.
- The views from the base of the Clarence River Lighthouse.
- Yamba Community Markets, fourth Sunday of each month.
- The historic photos in the Yamba Historical Society Museum.
