Embracing coastal living in retirement.

BUT WHY YAMBA?

Yamba is a beautiful beachside town in the Clarence Valley in northern New South Wales and sits at the mouth of the Clarence River. Yamba is surrounded by the Yuraygir National Park and beautiful pastoral lands and sits right on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. As such there is so much to see and do or just sit back and enjoy the days of beautiful sunny weather and select from one of the many eateries to enjoy a relaxed meal.

Yamba caters for all, from families with small children to those looking for a sea change and to retire in the sun.

Things to see and do -

- Head up to the Lighthouse and Pilot Station and check out the panoramic views all around.

- For swimmers and beach lovers there are many options, from the rock carved salt water ocean pool. Yamba beach, Yamba Main Beach, Whiting Beach, Turners Beach, Convent Beach, Pippi Beach, Barri beach and Green Point Beach and that’s just in Yamba alone. There are a total of 36 beaches in the Clarence Valley, so something for everyone.

- The Yamba Marina, owned by none other than Kay Cottee who in 1987 circumnavigated the world, single handedly, non stop and unassisted and her husband Peter Sutton. More on the Marina later.

- The many cafes, restaurants, bars and breweries in Yamba and within the many wonderful little towns and villages in the valley. I recently visited an area I hadn’t been before called Dunoon, a small village in the City of Lismore municipality with a population of less than 1000 people and is lush green farm land and beautiful rolling hills.

- Museums, galleries, emporiums are in abundance in the valley showcasing the amazing array of talented artists and craft people in this area and they are always keen to welcome new members. There are many workshops to attend, exhibitions to view and great local crafts to purchase.

- The Yamba Golf Club

- The Yambe Bowling Club

- The Library

- Walking paths abound. There are beautiful walks along the rivers edge and out on to the rock wall. The wall was originally built in the 1860’s to create a stable channel for shipping. There is so much history associated with the wall and all aspects of Yamba, most of which can be read and viewed at the Yamba museum in River Street, next door to the Golf Club.

- Bush walks, national parks and park runs are other activities to be involved in.

- Fishing plays a large part in the Clarence Valley and provides the local towns and restaurants with beautiful fresh fish all year round. Tourists and local alike can often be seen sitting outside the fish shop in the middle of Yamba feasting on a parcel of freshly cooked prawns.

- And, the markets! We are so lucky in the Clarence valley to have many amazing markets to wander around. There are monthly markets in Yamba and the local areas of Illuka, Maclean, Grafton, Ashby and Glenreagh. A quarterly market at Halfway Creek and the beautiful fresh Farmers markets held in Yamba every Wednesday and in Grafton every Thursday.

- Markets abound in surrounding locations eg Coffs Harbour, Ballina, Lismore, Byron shire and so on.

- If you enjoy wandering through Op Shops there are plenty of well stocked shops just waiting to serve you.

There is so so much more to mention in the Yamba general area and if we then branch out to include some of the amazing little communities close by, you will never be at a lose end.