We are blessed with an abundance of beaches in the Clarence Valley, with sandy shores stretching from Woody Head in the north through to Wooli in the south.
In conjunction with Australian Lifeguard Services, we provide a beach patrol service to Clarence Valley beaches during the NSW and Queensland school holidays.
Volunteer surf life savers also patrol the Main Beach in Yamba and Minnie Water on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays during the peak season from September to April.
Beachgoers should be able to quickly identify lifeguards and the safe swimming area between the red and yellow flags when they arrive at the beach.
Bluff Beach, Iluka
Iluka's Bluff Beach is a family-friendly beach with ample parking, picnic tables, toilets, information displays and access to a 2.5 km rainforest walk.
The picnic area includes a whale watching platform with 360 degree views along the coast and inland over the treetops of the World Heritage Listed Iluka Nature Reserve Rainforest.
The beach is sheltered from southerly winds and patrolled during the summer and Easter school holidays.
Turners Beach, Yamba
Turner's Beach is a popular swimming and surfing beach, patrolled during the summer season.
Car parking, toilets and picnic facilities are all available, with shops and cafés nearby.
Pippi Beach, Yamba
Pippi Beach lies on the southern-exposed side of Yamba’s beachfront, and is popular for surfing, swimming and fishing.
The northern end of the beach is patrolled during the summer school holidays.
Picnic tables, parking and toilet facilities are available.
The southern end of the beach includes an off-leash area for dogs. Find more information on dog-friendly areas here.
Yamba Main Beach
With an ocean pool built into the rocks at its southern end, and regular patrols throughout the warmer months, Yamba’s Main Beach is a favourite among locals and visitors alike.
The beach features disabled access, parking, amenities and picnic tables.
Brooms Head Beach
Brooms Head has a timeless quality, with uncrowded beaches and friendly locals.
Brooms Head Beach is great for surfers, fishermen and families, with ample parking and plenty of shaded space for picnics.
Minnie Water Beach
Minnie Water's main beach stretches over a kilometre in length.
The northern half is popular with surfers, while the southern half is sheltered by reef and often used to launch fishing boats.
Towards the north end is a reserve, which contains a hall, toilets, picnic area and the Minnie Water SLSC, plus a vehicle beach access track.
Wooli Beach
With patrols in summer, Wooli Beach is safe for the whole family.
The beach ends abruptly at a break wall that herds the Wooli Wooli River out to sea, and the southern corner is popular for fishing and surfing. It is also 4WD accessible.
Council's Beach Access and Vehicles on Beaches(PDF, 1MB) brochure relates to vehicle access on beaches controlled by Clarence Valley Council. Permits are required for all vehicles accessing beaches controlled by Clarence Valley Council, except those subject to exemption. See our Beach Access and Vehicles on Beaches Policy for guidelines on the management and regulation of vehicle access on council-controlled beaches.
Permits are available from:
- Council offices at 2 Prince St, Grafton and 50 River St, Maclean
- The Bait Place, BP Yamba
- Brooms Head Holiday Park
- Iluka Riverside Holiday Park
- Minnie Water Holiday Park
- Wooli Holiday Park
- Wooli Post Office
- Always swim between the red and yellow flags – they mark the safest place to swim at the beach.
- Safety signs will help you identify potential dangers and daily conditions.
- If possible, talk to a surf life saver or lifeguard about surf conditions before entering the water.
- Swim with a friend, and make sure children are always supervised by an adult.
- If you get into trouble in the water, stay calm and raise your arm to signal for help. Float with a current or rip – don't try to swim against it.
For more information visit the Beachsafe website.
Clarence Valley Council partners with Beachwatch to monitor water quality for swimming in local beaches, estuaries and waterways so you can make safer choices on when and where to swim.
To check the latest water quality results, visit the Beachwatch website.
Over spring and summer, Australia’s beach-nesting birds lay their eggs in a shallow scrape in the sand and raise their chicks amongst the hustle and bustle of our busy beaches.
There are a few simple steps you can take to help keep beach-nesting birds safe:
- Look out for bird nesting signs or roped-off nesting areas on the beach and follow the advice.
- Walk your dogs on dog-friendly beaches only and always keep them on a leash unless on a designated off-leash beach.
- Only drive on designated beaches if your vehicle has a beach access permit and keep below the high tide mark.
- When you’re near a nesting area, stick to the wet sand and give the birds plenty of space.