Yamba's Main Beach has a surf club, cafe and ocean pool and is located directly beneath the Pacific Hotel.

A short 10-minute walk from the centre of town, Whiting Beach is long and flat and has virtually no waves, so it’s perfect for kids, kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders.

This pristine 1.6-kilometre beach is the best place for a morning stroll and the south end is an off-leash dog area.

One of Yamba’s lesser-known beaches, Convent is sheltered by surrounding cliffs and has plenty of vegetation for natural shade.

Turner’s Beach is good for swimming and surfing. It’s patrolled during summer and is just a short walk from the centre of town.

This quaint market is a favourite among locals.

You’ll be able to pick up everything from organic fruit and veg grown in backyards and high quality meat like Dorper Lamb and Esperanza Pork, to artisanal products like Ashby Sourdough and Little Things Grown microgreens.

On your right you’ll get a great view of Turner’s Beach and the lighthouse on the hill, while on your left you’ll see the open water where the ocean meets the Clarence River and, if you look carefully enough, you’re likely to spot a dolphin or two.

While die-hard surfers will love the challenging break at Angourie Point, the whole family will enjoy a visit to Blue and Green Pools. Follow the lead of the local kids who expertly climb the rocky cliff face to dive into the freshwater pools below.

Drift serves up city-quality breakfasts.

Try their Wakie Wakie, a posh version of a bacon egg roll with spicy capsicum jam and coriander in a garlic sourdough roll.

Outside is a thriving kitchen garden complete with chickens.

The signature treat here is the house-made sourdough donut which is the perfect midmorning snack.

The knowledgeable, laid-back staff at this street-inspired venue are more than happy to guide you through their broad selection of craft tinnies.

After your burger, cross the road to the cliff-top Pacific Hotel for one more beer and enjoy the best view in town, looking out over the magnificent coastline below.

The unassuming Friendly Grocer is in the centre of town: it’s your go-to for authentic, freshly made Pakoras for just .50c a piece.

This light-filled bohemian cafe serves up healthy gourmet goodies such as roast cauliflower tacos, vegan bowls and coconut tumeric lattes.

After lunch, pop next door to Yum Yum’s General Store and check out their impressive range of locally sourced products and house-made pastries.

Karrikin manages to encapsulate the very essence of Yamba with its stylish, laid-back decor, unpretentious but accomplished staff and surprisingly inventive share plates showcasing local produce and native Australian ingredients.

The menu changes with the seasons and chef Zac can be found at the local farmers markets every Wednesday, stocking up on fresh seasonal produce from the Clarence Valley and Northern Rivers. The menu is somewhat cryptic, with only the key ingredients listed, making each dish a delicious surprise.

The entire menu is refreshingly unpredictable and the desserts are particularly special, nodding to the chef’s creative reimagination of nostalgic classics like fairy bread and Golden Gaytimes,

Or, load up on gourmet goodies like imported cheese, charcuterie and craft beers. Palmers Island is the second largest of the 100 islands dotted along the Clarence River.

The floor-to-ceiling windows inside the cafe give you a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the roastery in action, while the outdoor seating offers a fenced in play-area so you can supervise your kids while enjoying your coffee.

Choose between signature dishes such as a rich lamb korma, light and refreshing Asian salad, or Turkish plate with fresh, crunchy falafels.

You’ll notice a much younger, trendier crowd here than at the town’s pubs.

The venue offers wide, open spaces, live music and experimental brews like pineapple coconut sour and blueberry crush as well as pale ale, lager and XPA. The large fenced field also makes Sanctus perfect for kids and pets.