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Major city · Australia

Maclean

Stop 2–3 hours on the M1 for the lookout and a River St lunch, or sleep one night to see the Clarence islands; skip if you are chasing surf.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Maclean is a small riverside town on the Clarence River, 46 km northeast of Grafton and a short detour off the M1 between Sydney and Brisbane. It is known for its Scottish heritage, the river islands and a compact River Street strip of cafés. Most travellers pass through in a few hours; one night suits slow road-trippers heading to Yamba or Iluka.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
AUD
Best months
Sep–Nov, Mar–May
avoid Dec–Feb (heat and humidity), Jan school holidays
Airports
BNK · CFS · OOL
Nights
1
Rules in force · 7
  • Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
  • Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
  • Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
  • Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
  • Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
  • Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
  • Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Maclean000 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance000
  • From mobiles112
  • NSW SES flood and storm help132 500

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Maclean, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$20–40 (≈ US$14–30)
  • Budget bedHostel or pub room, a night, per personA$45 (≈ US$30)
  • Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomA$180 (≈ US$120)
  • High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomA$280 (≈ US$190)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$90 (≈ US$60) · Mid A$150 (≈ US$100) · High A$260 (≈ US$180)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Clarence River islandsScottish heritage and tartanMaclean LookoutWoodford Island
Airports
BNK Ballina Byron Gateway (About 95 km (59 mi) south via the M1; hire cars at the terminal.) · CFS Coffs Harbour (About 115 km (71 mi) south via the M1.) · OOL Gold Coast (About 250 km (155 mi) north; the usual gateway for Brisbane-side arrivals.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    29°C (84°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    29°C (84°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    28°C (82°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  5. May

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

  6. Jun

    not flagged

    20°C (68°F)

  7. Jul

    not flagged

    20°C (68°F)

  8. Aug

    not flagged

    22°C (72°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    24°C (75°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  11. Nov

    Best

    28°C (82°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    29°C (84°F)

Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jan (29°C (84°F)), coolest Jul (8°C (46°F) low), wettest Feb (13 rain days), driest Aug (7). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Maclean: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

29°C (84°F)

20°C (68°F)

12 rd

Feb

29°C (84°F)

20°C (68°F)

13 rd

Mar

28°C (82°F)

18°C (64°F)

13 rd

Apr

26°C (79°F)

15°C (59°F)

11 rd

May

23°C (73°F)

12°C (54°F)

10 rd

Jun

20°C (68°F)

9°C (48°F)

9 rd

Jul

20°C (68°F)

8°C (46°F)

8 rd

Aug

22°C (72°F)

9°C (48°F)

7 rd

Sep

24°C (75°F)

11°C (52°F)

8 rd

Oct

26°C (79°F)

14°C (57°F)

10 rd

Nov

28°C (82°F)

17°C (63°F)

11 rd

Dec

29°C (84°F)

19°C (66°F)

12 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The town centre is walkable in 10–15 minutes end to end. A car is needed for the lookout, Woodford Island and the beaches at Yamba or Iluka; local buses link Maclean with Grafton, Yamba and Iluka.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Yambago

Door to door: About 30 min

Drive via the M1 and Yamba Road, about 30 min

Beaches, the lighthouse walk and a bigger choice of dinner.

Ilukago

Door to door: About 35 min

Drive via the M1 and Iluka Road, about 35 min

World Heritage rainforest walk and the river mouth; quiet by evening.

Graftongo

Door to door: About 45 min

Drive the B76 Big River Way, about 45 min

Jacaranda-lined streets in late Oct–Nov; wider shops and services.

Ballinacaution

Door to door: About 1.25 h

Drive north on the M1, about 1 h 15 min

Better as a stop on the way north than a return day trip.

Lismorecaution

Door to door: About 1.5 h

Drive via the M1 and Bangalow Road, about 1 h 30 min

Regional centre with galleries and markets; check flood recovery closures.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

River Street and town centre

Walk to cafés, the hotel pub and the river; best for one night without a car shuffle.

M1 and outskirts motels

Drive-in parking and easy highway access; less walkable to dinner.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
A$90–140 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
Mid
A$150–230 (≈ US$100–160) excl. bed
High
A$250 (≈ US$170)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel double room1 × 1 night × A$180A$180
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$150A$300
Fuel, 200 km of driving1 × A$30 · checkA$30
Café lunch and coffee2 × A$30A$60
eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$25A$50
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeA$62
Trip total≈ A$341 per person per day, bed includedA$682≈ US$450

2026 estimate in Australian dollars; fuel and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

CoffeeA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
Café lunchA$15–25 (≈ US$10–17)
Pizza at a River St pizzeriaA$20–30 (≈ US$14–20)
Pub mealA$22–35 (≈ US$15–25)
Motel double room, one nightA$130–280 (≈ US$90–190) (check)
Fuel, unleaded per litreA$1.80–2.20 (≈ US$2) (check)
eSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$20–40 (≈ US$14–30)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

A quiet country town with low street crime. The real risks are highway driving, summer heat and Clarence River floods: check road closures before you commit to a route.
  • The Clarence floods: check road closures and the SES before driving in heavy rain.
  • The M1 is a fast highway with few streetlights; avoid walking along it after dark.
  • Many kitchens close by 2 PM and again after 8:30 PM; plan lunch and dinner windows.
  • Mobile coverage is patchy on back roads toward the islands.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
000
From mobiles
112
NSW SES flood and storm help
132 500

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

MacleanMaclean

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance000
  • From mobiles112
  • NSW SES flood and storm help132 500

Embassy

No consulates in Maclean; the nearest are in Sydney. US and UK travellers should register with their embassy in Canberra for emergencies.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Maclean → Yamba by car: about 30 min, fuel only (check)
  • Maclean → Grafton by car: about 45 min via the B76 (check)
  • Local bus Maclean → Grafton or Yamba: check the operator timetable and fare

Say or show

  • Thank you — Thank you
  • Excuse me — Excuse me
  • How much is it? — How much is it?
  • Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • Is the road open? — Is the road open?

Tipping is not expected in Australia. Cards and phones work almost everywhere; keep some cash for small markets.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Maclean. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Sep–Nov, Mar–May · avoid Dec–Feb (heat and humidity), Jan school holidays · month by month →
  2. 3 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 5 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for BNK and CFS: last coach times, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: River Street, the lookout and Wharf Street, Woodford Island.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (Maclean District Museum, the lookout) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Flood and hostile arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to Australia

Sources