Fish are what Yamba is often about, starting with the fishing industry which goes back to the early days of settlement and still plays a major role in the town. The view of the fleet setting out down the river and across the bar at sunset is best enjoyed from Lighthouse hill, and at night the lights of the fleet can often be seen twinkling on the horizon. Amateur anglers also enjoy the range of opportunities Yamba offers, with rock, beach, estuary or deep sea fishing spots. Boats can be hired or chartered and houseboats and cruisers are another holiday possibility. Even just a ferry trip across the Clarence to Iluka is a great way of enjoying the water, sightseeing, and discovering new fishing spots. Seafood fanciers will also enjoy the oysters farmed in this prime setting.

With new housing, accommodation and retail developments making the most of this scenic spot, Yamba looks poised to move into a more sophisticated future, with tourism playing an important role alongside the traditional industries. An emphasis on good regional cuisine, particularly seafood, has seen several local restaurants develop regional followings.

INFORMATION

• Population – 5000
• Transport Services – Bus
• Council – Maclean Shire Council

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The pretty village of Woombah includes caravan parks in bushland and river settings and the Clarence River is popular for fishing holidays. The area includes a number of artist’s studio galleries.

INFORMATION

• Population – 300
• Transport services – Bus
• Council – Maclean Shire

The World Heritage-listed Iluka Nature Reserve contains the largest remnant of littoral rainforest in NSW, and supports a rich vegetation and abundant bird and animal life. Conservationists, bird-watchers and anyone who wants to experience the coast as it was just over a century ago should not miss this experience. Additionally, the Bundjalung National Park, which commemorates the Aboriginal tribe who occupied this area, stretches from the northern edge of Iluka to Evans Head.

There is a wide range of holiday accommodation, with excellent camping and caravanning facilities plus cabins also available, and the town centre has a good range of facilities for locals and visitors. Tennis courts and playing fields are available to enthusiasts, and golfers enjoy all-weather play thanks to the well-drained sand-based fairways, even if natural hazards include emus and wallabies!

There are many beautiful picnic areas, including Shark Bay, Frazers Reef, Iluka Bluff and Back Beach, and the Woody Head National Park camping area is popular for its great facilities and superb location.

The ferry trip to and from Yamba also is just one sight-seeing option, with river cruises also available. The local hotel overlooks Iluka Bay and the boatharbour.

INFORMATION

• Population – 1900
• Transport Services – Bus
• Council – Maclean Shire Council

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Norfolk Island pines, which mark so many beaches large and small, also line the main beach at Broom’s, with plenty of space and shade for picnics. A large lagoon is ideal for children, along with fascinating rockpools and crevices.

Fishermen love both Broom’s and the nearby Sandon River, and boats can also be launched from both locations. Lake Cakora provides another playground for water enthusiasts.

Camping areas are available in the national park by Lake Arragan and at the Sandon, and a well-known coastal walk follows the beaches to Shelley Beach and Mara Creek. The caravan park has 1.5km of absolute beach frontage.

INFORMATION

• Population – 200
• Transport Services – Bus
  (Rail and air connections)
• Council – Maclean Council

Then just a fantastic surfing location with a holiday cottage or three, it is now a delightfully small-scale village complete with holiday accommodation, a general store and even a restaurant. Although Mr Young’s involvement and investment has recently ceased, the area thrives on the great surf and spectacular ocean views from many houses.

On the northern tip of the Yuragir National Park, Angourie is surrounded by stunning beaches, picnic areas and walking tracks. The famous “Blue Pool” located in a bush setting right near the beach was originally a rock quarry which filled with fresh water when an underground spring was disturbed. It has long been a popular swimming hole, but is sometimes closed to swimming due to algae growth, so check the notices first. The beaches are superb, anyway!

INFORMATION

• Population – 300
• Transport services – Bus
• Council – Maclean Shire

The uncrowded, long sandy beaches draw in both fishermen and surfers, and the main beach (north of the breakwater) is patrolled by lifesavers in the holiday seasons and on weekends. The favourite spot for serious boardriders is the swell that sweeps around Goanna Headland, a mythical site of great importance to the Bundjalung Aboriginals who have occupied the area for thousands of years.

There are also shallow, sandy beaches along the Evans River estuary, which are safe for children and have plenty of shade for parents keeping an eye on them. The Broadwater and Bundjalung National Parks are nearby and offer interesting walks through littoral rainforest, heathland vegetation, unspoiled beaches and the opportunity to explore some Aboriginal culture.

Prawns were the fishing fleet’s catch of the day for many years, with the port being the first in the state to catch them in commercial quantities, and there are still good catches of school and king prawns brought in. Tuna fishing is now also an important part of the local fishing industry.

INFORMATION

• Population – 2613
• Transport Services -Bus, Light Aircraft
• Council – Richmond Valley Shire

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Huge trucks carry in the cane from the many surrounding farms, and during the crushing season, from early June to the end of the year the landscape is often lit up with spectacular cane fires. While the mill is operating a plume of steam can be seen rising high in the air, and tours of the mill are frequently available.

INFORMATION

• Population – 504
• Transport services – Bus
• Council – Richmond Valley Shire

Sailing vessels unloaded stone ballast along the riverside and loaded up with logs, and two sawmills flourished for the next two decades. A steamboat service from Ballina to Lismore traded for many more years, but today the closest commercial centres are Alstonville or Ballina, although there is still a pub, general store, service station and Post Office.

INFORMATION

• Population – 500
• Transport Services – Bus
• Council – Ballina Council

MAJOR EVENTS

• The Richmond River Cane Festival – May
• Far North Coast Wardell Half Marathon and 10km run/walk – September

Lennox Head has a great coastal village atmosphere, with a main street full of boutiques, cafes, restaurants, post office and supermarket and a long strip of park adjoining the beach opposite, the perfect place for sitting in the shade of the pandanus palms and enjoying fish and chips. Named in 1882 by Captain Rous, after the Duke of Richmond and Lennox, the village was established for the timber and land, and dairying and cane farming followed. Once the coastal road was sealed in the 1970’s, the population expanded and the town thrived.

Lake Ainsworth is still very popular, with excellent picnic facilities and craft for hire, as well as being good for sailing. The waters are reputed to have therapeutic qualities, and the area provides the backdrop for the Lennox Head Markets, which offer a wide variety of goods from handicrafts to tropical fruit and vegetables.

INFORMATION

• Population – 6000
• Transport and Services – Blanch’s Bus Service
• Council – Ballina Shire

MAJOR EVENTS

• Lennox Masters Surf Classic – Biannual – April
• All Girls Surf Showdown – Annually in June
• GROMFEST – Junior Surfing Event – Annually in July

OTHER WEBSITES

• Lennox Head Accommodation
• Byron Bay Accommodation

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