Grafton to Byron Bay road trip: Distance, driving time & stops
Grafton to Byron Bay road trip: Yamba and Ballina
Yamba is a fabulously chilled coastal town that has the key “what Byron Bay used to be” vibe.
Yamba beaches worth investigating include Turners Beach, Yamba Main Beach, Pippi Beach and Green Point Beach.
Top Yamba accommodation choices include the Calypso Yamba caravan park, the wallet-friendly Aston Motel, the riverside Moby Dick and the nature-surrounded Blue Dolphin Holiday Resort.
Once north of the Clarence River, the Iluka Bluff Lookout in Bundjalung National Park offers a good photo stop. You can tackle the 6km Jerusalem Creek Peninsula track from the Black Rocks campground if you want something more energetic.
At Woodburn comes the turn off to Evans Head and Broadwater National Park. You can learn about WWII pilot training at the Evans Head Heritage Aviation Museum, but most visitors will be coming for the 30km beach.
The Pacific Highway then runs just west of Ballina, where you can take private surfing lessons and go on half day coastal walking tours.
5 Ballina experiences to book in advance
- Go on a dolphin watching cruise – sightings are very reliable.
- Take a guided coastal walk – learning about the natural environment on the way.
- Clink glasses as the sun goes down – on a Richmond River sunset cruise.
- Take a cruise to the Julian Rocks Marine Reserve – with a marine biologist pointing out the dolphins, turtles and dramatic cliffs.
- Learn to surf – on a private surfing lesson.
Well-rated Ballina accommodation includes the riverside Ramada Hotel and Suites, the classic-style Ballina Heritage Inn and the perky Ballina Palms Boutique Motel.
Next section: Tintenbar and Byron Bay.