Coffs Harbour to Yamba road trip: Distance, drive time & stops

The best stops on a Coffs Harbour to Yamba road trip include Emerald Beach, Arrawarra and Maclean. The 132km distance should be covered in a driving time of around 1h27m.

The drive from Coffs Harbour to Yamba connects two of the most popular tourist destinations on the North Coast of New South Wales. Coffs Harbour is much bigger, but Yamba is quickly gaining a reputation as a real hotspot.

Coffs Harbour to Yamba distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Coffs Harbour to Yamba is 132km. With average traffic, that makes for a driving time of around one hour and 27 minutes. If you want to make a road trip of it, there are a few good stops along the route, however.

Coffs Harbour to Yamba road trip: Coffs Coast section

The Coffs Harbour to Yamba road trip starts by following the Coffs Coast. You’ll head past the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden, the Clog Barn and the Big Banana on the way out of Coffs Harbour. Then, just off the highway towards the ocean, are Diggers Beach and the Solitary Islands Aquarium at Charlesworth Bay Beach.

6 fab Coffs Harbour experiences to book in advance

Glide through nature – on a Boambee Creek kayaking tour guided by a marine scientist.
Jump out of a plane – with tandem skydives that land on the beach.
Go kayaking and wildlife-spotting – on a coastal adventure.
Head into the hinterland – on a rainforest and waterfalls day tour.
Test your nerve and agility – at the Treetops Coffs Harbour adventure course.
See migrating humpbacks up close – on a whale-watching cruise.

Detour slightly inland, meanwhile, and you’ll reach the Forest Sky Pier and Treetops Adventure in Korora.

Along the Coffs Coast are several excellent beaches, linked by the 60km Solitary Islands Coastal Walk

Sapphire Beach and Moonee Beach are both fabulous, while the Look At Me Now Headland just south of Emerald Beach is a great place to see kangaroos, whales and dolphins.

Coffs Harbour to Yamba drive: Woolgoolga to Maclean

The Pacific Highway then goes west of Woolgoolga to surf spot Arrawarra. The Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre is just to the north, should you wish to learn about local Indigenous culture.

The Pacific Highway then heads inland, with the Big River Way branching off towards Grafton.

The route towards Yamba continues past Yuraygur National Park, which hosts a few underrated beaches such as Minnie Water Beach and Sandon Beach.

Otherwise, the next stop on the Coffs Harbour to Yamba drive is Maclean, a distinctly Scottish-flavoured town.

Things to do between Coffs Harbour and Yamba: Maclean and Clarence River

The Bicentennial Museum delves into that Scottish heritage and the Ferry Park Gallery shows off local art.

The Yamba Road branches off the Pacific Highway at the Harwood Bridge over the Clarence River. Stick to the south bank, and you’ll cross over several fluvial islands, past Yamba Marina and into Yamba itself.

Yamba beaches worth investigating include Turners Beach, Yamba Main Beach, Pippi Beach and Green Point Beach.

Yamba accommodation options include the reasonably priced Aston Motel, the Moby Dick by the river and the Blue Dolphin Holiday Resort, which is surrounded by gardens.

Yamba accommodation worth looking at

Strong Yamba accommodation choices you should take a look at include…

For a budget stay by the beach: Pacific Hotel.
For really well equipped apartments by Pippi Beach: The Sands Resort at Yamba.
For romance and overall quality: The Surf.
For a holiday park with a water park kids will love: Big4 Saltwater.