NSW- Yamba and Maclean

Byron Bay is great. But honestly- if you want a real Aussie north coast experience I would suggest the following.

Start in Byron for a day or two for the crazy backpacker party scene. Byron is a party mecca without being too plastic. You can take surf lessons and have your chakras worked on, eat organic food and buy designer frocks. Then- to unwind head 14 K’s south to Lennox Head. Barely more than a strip of houses and café’s- it is scenic and relaxed. The surf beach is great and the whales and dolphins are visible from land.

After a day or so in Lennox Head- for a real true country/coastal town experience- head to Maclean (on the mouth of the Clarence Valley River) and coastal Yamba.

While there are plenty of little motels and caravan parks in both towns, in between the two is a B&B called Wynyabbie house (rates seem to be negotiable as I have seen it posted on their sign for $75 for a double but their website says a little more). In the original sugar plantation estate house- it is decorated with period furniture- quality linens- good beds and a natural setting that starts your morning out right. They are also setting up a massage therapy room and other in-house services. The lady of the house creates Lead Lights- (stained glass windows).

Maclean is a small country river town with a strong Scottish heritage. An awesome place to eat lunch, have a picnic next to the river- look through their shops, and relax. The electric poles are all painted in the Scottish clan Tartans found in the area, and recipes for authentic shortbread and Haggis hang from the light poles. Definitely worth a look.

Yamba is something out of endless summer- it is a true surfie coastal town. Picturesque yet real working fishing boats line the harbour- sheltered from the jagged break on the coast. Great for whale watching, surfing and some serious slow down time… this place is almost in a time warp.

To get there from Byron- just travel about 1.5 hours south down the Pacific Highway. Just over the Clarence River is an exit for the two towns. Wynyabbie House is just to the east of the exit on the north side of the street. It is a green and enchanting 19 K drive between the two through the sugar cane fields that once belonged to the Wynyabbie Estate. This honestly is an amazing and very special place on the earth. People are environmentally conscious, politically active, and extremely true to themselves. It is one of those places that will make you rethink your priorities in life and what you do for a living. The people born to such a place of intense natural forces must lead a charmed life.

Wynyabbie House: 797 Yamba Road Palmers Island NSW. 02 6646 0168. www.babs.com/wynyabbie