Gold Coast to Yamba road trip: Distance, drive time & attractions

Gold Coast to Yamba road trip: Maclean and Yamba

On the way south towards the Clarence River, there are a couple of good road trip stops. First up is Evans Head and Broadwater National Park. The Evans Head Heritage Aviation Museum tells you the story of the town’s massive WWII pilot training base, but the 30km beach to the north is the real treasure.

In Bundjalung National Park, meanwhile, the 6km Jerusalem Creek Peninsula track from the Black Rocks campground is a good walk and the Iluka Bluff Lookout is a handy photo stop.

On the south bank of the Clarence River, Maclean has an unusually Scottish feel – go to the Bicentennial Museum to find out why.

But otherwise, head east towards Yamba, which many people rate as the best beach town in New South Wales. Yamba beaches worth investigating include Turners Beach, Yamba Main Beach, Pippi Beach and Green Point Beach.

Good Yamba accommodation picks include the Calypso Yamba caravan park, the budget-conscious Aston Motel, the riverside Moby Dick and the gardens-blessed Blue Dolphin Holiday Resort.

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.