Major city · Australia
Yamba
Give Yamba two nights if you surf or want a slow beach stop between Sydney and Brisbane; one night is enough if you are only breaking the drive.
Yamba is a small coastal town at the mouth of the Clarence River in the Northern Rivers, about 6,000 people, with a surf break at Angourie and a string of beaches either side of the headland. It works as a two-night beach stop on the Pacific Highway run or as a quieter base than Byron Bay. There is no airport and no train; you arrive by car or coach.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- Sep–Nov, Mar–May
- avoid Dec–Jan (school holidays, packed and pricey)
- Airports
- BNK · OOL · CFS
- Nights
- 2
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
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 Yamba000 ▾
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 Yamba, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$).Australia-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.Australia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps.Australia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.Australia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Australia-wide
- SafetyYamba is a low-crime small town; the real risks are ocean rips, sun and the highway drive.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.Australia-wide
- Emergency numbers000 police, fire, ambulance · 112 From a mobile · 132 500 NSW SES (floods and storms)
- Sundays & holidaysChristmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 15:00; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 3:00 PM; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Australia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckBNK Ballina Byron Gateway (Closest useful airport, about 1 h 15 min by car; check current schedules).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical choice: beaches, Angourie and Yuraygir are spread out and buses are thin.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeA$4.50–6 (≈ US$3–4)
- Beerschooner at a pub / six-pack at a bottle shopA$8–12 (≈ US$6–8)A$18–24 (≈ US$12–16)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$20–40 (≈ US$14–30)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personA$45 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedMotel or pub double room, a night, per roomA$190 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedMotel or pub double room, a night, per roomA$320 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$90 (≈ US$60) · Mid A$170 (≈ US$120) · High A$320 (≈ US$250)
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.
- Airports
- BNK Ballina Byron Gateway (Closest useful airport, about 1 h 15 min by car; check current schedules) · OOL Gold Coast (About 3 h by car; more flights and often cheaper) · CFS Coffs Harbour (About 2 h 30 min south by car; limited routes)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Aug
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Dec–Jan. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jul (8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C) low), wettest Mar (15 rain days), driest Aug (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Yamba: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
14 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
15 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
12 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Jul
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Oct
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
11 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
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
A car is the practical choice: beaches, Angourie and Yuraygir are spread out and buses are thin. In town you can walk between the centre, the breakwall and the main beach in 10–20 minutes. Local buses link Yamba with Maclean and Grafton; check timetables before relying on them.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30–45 min
Ferry across the Clarence River from Yamba, or drive via Maclean
Ferry is the point of the trip; check sailing times and the last return.
Angourie and Yuraygir National Park
goDoor to door: About 30 min to Angourie; add 1 h+ for park walks
Drive south about 10 min to Angourie, then walk into the park
Surf reserve, Blue Pools and coastal walking tracks; carry water.
Maclean
cautionDoor to door: About 25 min
Drive west on Yamba Road, about 20 min
Small town with a Scottish heritage theme; a half-day at most.
Grafton
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Drive via the Pacific Highway and Gwydir Highway, about 1 h
Historic river town; worth it in jacaranda season (Oct–Nov).
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min
Drive north on the Pacific Highway, about 1 h 15 min
Better as a stop on the drive north than a return day trip.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
Drive north on the Pacific Highway, about 1 h
Headland walk and the tea-tree lake; pair with Ballina on the same run.
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.
Yamba town centre
Walk to the main beach, shops and the Pacific Hotel; most motels and the hostel are here.
Angourie
5–10 min south by car; quiet, close to the surf reserve and the Blue Pools walk.
Pilot Street / lighthouse end
Closest to the breakwall, the lighthouse and the river mouth; short walk to town.
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
- Budget
- A$90–140 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$160–260 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
- High
- A$300 (≈ US$200)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or pub double room1 × 2 nights × A$190 | A$380 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × A$170 | A$680 |
| Coach from Sydney or Brisbane, one way2 × A$60 · check | A$120 |
| Fuel, Sydney–Yamba return1 × A$180 · check | A$180 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$25 | A$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$141 |
| Trip total≈ A$388 per person per day, bed included | A$1,551≈ US$1,100 |
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; fuel and long-distance travel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | A$4.50–6 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Pub meal (burger, schnitzel) | A$22–32 (≈ US$15–25) |
| Fish and chips | A$15–24 (≈ US$10–16) |
| Beer: schooner at a pub / six-pack at a bottle shop | A$8–12 (≈ US$6–8) / A$18–24 (≈ US$12–16) |
| Petrol, per litre | A$1.80–2.10 (≈ US$2) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | A$20–40 (≈ US$14–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Surf and rips: Angourie and the main beach are ocean breaks with strong currents; swim between the flags.
- Bluebottles and occasional shark sightings close beaches; follow lifeguard signs.
- Summer school holidays fill every motel and caravan park; book weeks ahead.
- The Pacific Highway route via Maclean is the only road in; flooding can close it in heavy rain.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From a mobile
- 112
- NSW SES (floods and storms)
- 132 500
Pocket card
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YambaYamba
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From a mobile112
- NSW SES132 500
Embassy
No consulates in Yamba; the US consulate-general is in Sydney, and most other countries keep embassies in Canberra or consulates in Sydney.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Yamba → Iluka ferry: fare and crossing time: check with the operator before you go
- Coach Sydney → Yamba: about A$60–110 (≈ US$40–75), 9–10 h (check)
- Taxi in town: short hops A$10–20 (≈ US$7–14) (check)
Say or show
- How far is the beach? — How far is the beach?
- Is it patrolled today? — Is it patrolled today?
- Two adults, please — Two adults, please
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the nearest petrol station? — Where is the nearest petrol station?
Yamba is small: mobile coverage is fine in town, patchier in Yuraygir National Park.
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 Yamba. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Sep–Nov, Mar–May · avoid Dec–Jan (school holidays, packed and pricey) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for BNK and OOL: transfer times, coach options and a taxi fallback.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: town centre, breakwall and lighthouse, Angourie.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (beaches, Yuraygir tracks, ferry) and eat pages with last orders.
- Flood and hostile-weather fixtures so the highway and ferry rungs can go green.
Sources
Ask about Yamba
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