Luxury holidays in Yamba

Surf resort Yamba in New South Wales has an island feel — in part thanks to its geography, contoured by the Clarence River, giant rock pools and sun-warmed lagoons — but also attributable to the town’s passion for keeping things local. It’s an ethos you’ll find reflected in its owner-run cafés and indie dining spots and stores. There’s more than a passing resemblance between Yamba and Byron Bay before the crowds.

When to go

December to February is surf town Yamba’s busiest season, all sun-kissed beaches and inviting ocean temperatures. From May to August, a cool hush blankets the area. November, March and April strike a happier balance of warmth and peace.

Getting there

  • Planes

    Connections from Sydney and Melbourne touch down at Ballina Byron Gateway Airport, a little over an hour’s drive from Yamba. Or opt for regional hubs Coffs Harbour Airport or Gold Coast Airport, each less than two hours away by car.

  • Automobiles

    From Brisbane, it’s a three-and-a-half-hour drive to Yamba — ideal if you’re road-tripping this stretch of the coast and Sydney-bound. Once you’ve reached the resort, however, this laidback town is a place to cycle or stroll.