You're invited.
A weekend in Yamba with a few of our favourite people. Two dinners, surf lessons for the kids and the adults, a film and a backyard BBQ at our Cinema with a private concert from our favourite artist – Kyle Lionhart. Activities and events are on us, as our thank you to you all! Come to all of it, or just the bits that suit you!
— Tom & Bec
Pick what you want to join. RSVP so we know how many seats and boards to book.
Playa Bodega, Yamba · everyone
Cocktails, wine and modern Mexican down one long table. Kids come too — a simple, loud start to the weekend.
Surf Camp Downunder · kids and adults
Group lessons with Surf Camp Downunder — boards and wetsuits provided. Kids go first thing, adults get their own session. Everyone else watches from the sand.
El Ocaso · adults only
A slow dinner with wine and no kids. Our night to actually finish a conversation.
Surf Camp Downunder · kids and adults
Another go for anyone who caught one and wants more, or missed out on Saturday. Kids and adults again in separate sessions.
Yamba Cinema · everyone
A kids' film at Yamba Cinema and a BBQ in the backyard, then a private concert from Kyle Lionhart to close out the weekend.
Byron Bay singer-songwriter Kyle Lionhart is playing a private concert in the backyard of Yamba Cinema to close out the weekend.
Have a listen before you come:
We've curated and pre-booked a collection of places in good spots near the village, to take some of the coordination off you. Here's what we're holding for that weekend — pick whatever suits, whether that's child-free or with the kids.
Retro-chic surf shack with a brand-new pool
A newly renovated surf shack that embodies Yamba, with a newly installed in-ground pool.
Owned by ex-pro surfer and sports commentator Ronnie Blakey, and his wife Jamie Blakey, fashion designer and creative director.
1948 oceanfront inn · 1 MICHELIN Key 2025
A 1948 oceanfront inn where laid-back Australian surf culture meets Mediterranean charm.
Owned by creative director and fashion designer Sheree Commerford, and her husband Sam Elsom — former fashion designer, now climate solutions innovator.
Metres from Main Beach, with a rooftop pool
A boutique hotel just metres from Main Beach, with stunning ocean views and a rooftop pool.
No restaurant or food service on site — plan your breakfasts elsewhere.
We'll probably add a few more places, including rental houses — this is where we're at for now. If nothing here suits, message us and we'll help you sort something out.
Yamba is a little out of the way, which is most of its charm. Here's the honest version of every route, and which ones we'd actually recommend.
Not for a weekend
Melbourne to Yamba is a long drive — 17 hours. For a short weekend, it's a no go.
Doable if you're keen
Sydney to Yamba is very doable if you're keen. Seven hours door to door.
All three airports have car rental on site if you want the freedom of your own car. Flight counts and times below are the current schedule for that weekend and will shift, so check before you book.
The closest airport to Yamba, and the easiest run down the coast.
One Jetstar direct flight a day, and that's it — no other airline flies it direct.
You can go via Sydney, but of course, it's more annoying. If you tell us in your RSVP that you're on this flight, we're arranging a bus for anyone who'd rather not hire a car.
Safe to say Sydney wins — six flights a day across Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin, spread right through the day.
The next closest, and a straightforward drive up the highway.
Again, one direct flight a day, with Qantas.
I've done this once and our plane got downgraded to a QantasLink — a much smaller twin-engine plane. It took triple the time in the air, because those planes are slower. It's a regional airport, so it's a possibility.
Safe to say Sydney wins again — seven direct flights a day between Qantas and Rex, throughout the day.
Far more flights to choose from, at the cost of a longer run down the Pacific Highway.
Heads up · Watch the daylight savings difference — Yamba is NSW and Gold Coast Airport is QLD, so you gain or lose an hour crossing the border. It catches people out.
Eighteen direct flights a day across all airlines, both ways. Much more selection — just a longer drive.
Twenty-four direct flights a day across all airlines, both ways. Plenty of choice, same longer drive.
None of this is a problem — it's just Yamba being Yamba. Worth knowing before you turn up.
The lay of the land
The main village is right by the beach, but it has a Lorne-style hill to get the legs going.
Totally fine for kids, but it can be a little challenging with prams. If you're staying near Main Beach and the village you won't need a car — just know the walk down from the beach, and back up, is a reasonable workout.
Getting around
It's walk or car hire — there is no rideshare and no taxi service in Yamba.
If you're staying near Main Beach and the village, you genuinely won't need a car for the weekend.
Opening hours
Restaurants and cafés will close if there's good surf, or bad weather, or if they simply decide to have a break. They don't work for the weekend — they live out their days, their way.
So don't be shocked if Instagram says somewhere is open and delicious, and you arrive to a sign reading "Gone surfing!" In the case of the incredible Turkish café Beachwood, run by the beautiful Sevtap, "Gone to Turkey" is a recurring sign.
Food shopping
In the village you have the Mini Grocer, Yamba Deli and Organic Whole Foods. That's your lot, and it's mostly enough.
Coles is 15 minutes inland at Yamba Fair Shopping Centre — but it's not a must-see location, so maybe get a Coles delivery instead.
Nobody's replied just yet.
Be the first to say yes.
As soon as families start replying, they'll show up here with the parts of the weekend they're joining.
Send your RSVPOne RSVP per family. Turn on the parts you're joining.
Everything below is walkable from the village unless we've said otherwise. Book where we've told you to – and remember a sign might say ‘Gone surfing’.
Note: Best to check their Instagram pages as they update their opening days and hours regularly, weather (and surf) pending!
Book ahead where we've said so — and remember Yamba time is real.
A short walk up High Street for your morning coffee.
Walk to Main Beach, enjoy a sunrise swim in the iconic ocean pool, and sip your coffee as you warm up.
A must-visit for Turkish-inspired brunch and lunch. Walk-in only.
Mediterranean bar and restaurant. Book ahead.
Contemporary Asian with beautiful styling. Book ahead.
Cocktails, wine and modern Mexican. Book ahead — and it's where we're all having dinner on Friday.
Great pizza with a lively local vibe. Book ahead.
Casual indoor-outdoor dining, open nightly except Tuesdays. Walk in or book.
Swim in the ocean pool at sunrise, then grab a coffee at The Kiosk.
Off-leash and dog friendly.
Main, Pippi, Convent and Turners.
Scenic walks, along with the Lighthouse trail closer to town.
Sauna, ice bath and facials.
Reformer and mat classes daily.
Who's running our surf lessons — boards and wetsuits provided.
Two of these are the answer to a rainy day, and one is a must — more than once.
Outdoor lawn bowls, or ten-pin bowling inside on bad weather days.
A round of classic golf, or the indoor simulator for adults and kids alike when the weather turns.
A must visit. More than once.
