Grafton to Yamba drive: Distance, time & road trip stops

The Grafton to Yamba drive covers a 64km distance in a driving time of around 50 minutes. Possible stops to add to a road trip itinerary include the Everlasting Swamp National Park and Scottish-tinged Maclean.

The drive from Grafton to Yamba connects a regional hub town with a far more appealing beach town. You might stop in Grafton briefly – it’s something of a crossroads town where major highways meet – but Yamba is that coastal idyll people want to get to.

For Grafton accommodation picks, head here.

Grafton to Yamba distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Grafton to Yamba is 64km, with a driving time of around 50 minutes. The drive largely follows the Clarence River and sets off along the Big River Way.

Top Grafton accommodation options

The best places to stay in Grafton are:

For central location: Civic Motel.
For charm and personal touch: Andavine House Bed and Breakfast.
For a relatively cheap, good quality motel with a pool: Grafton Lodge Motel.

One possible detour along the route is Lawrence, where the Woody Creek Cycling Trail laces its way through the Everlasting Swamp National Park and the Lawrence Museum delves into Australia telecommunications history.

The Big River Way merges into the Pacific Highway just to the south-east of Lawrence.

Grafton to Yamba drive: Maclean attractions

Otherwise, keep going towards Maclean, where the north arm and south arm of the Clarence River meet. It’s a town with a distinct Scottish vibe, and that Scottish heritage is delved into at the Bicentennial Museum.

If you’d prefer to go arty, then the Ferry Park Gallery showcases local art.

Grafton to Yamba road trip: Beyond the Harwood Bridge

The Yamba Road branches off the Pacific Highway at the Harwood Bridge, the main route over the Clarence River. The Yamba Road sticks to the south bank and crosses over several islands carved out by small channels. It also passes Yamba Marina before arriving in the town centre.

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

Yamba accommodation options include the solidly affordable Aston Motel, the riverside Moby Dick and the gardens-surrounded 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.