Perfectly Hidden Coastal Hideaways to Explore

There’s something so seductive about a beach break. And what better time to plan one than at the end of summer, when the crowds have gone, the sun is less searing, yet the waves still whisper their wordless lullaby. The milder weather also makes it easy to step out and get active. So, if you want to soak up the last of those summer vibes, these are the places to go.

Flow like a river in Yamba, NSW

The prawns are dancing in the Clarence River. As we push our kayaks from the bank into the shallows, local guide Phil Moore points to a rippling patch in the otherwise calm water. “Look at the baby school prawns,” he says. Sure enough, when I look closer, I see that what appear to be water droplets sparkling above the surface are actually tiny prawns leaping up into the air. “It’s something they do sometimes – I’ve only seen it once or twice before,” Phil says. The dancing prawns aren’t the only remarkable thing we see on our leisurely kayak of the Clarence River.

Here on the New South Wales North Coast, where the vast river flows into the ocean, the shallow, island-studded waters of the wide estuary teem with life. We paddle past congregations of pelicans greedily scooping fish out of the water, and spot an osprey perched high on a tree, surveying his domain. Most unexpected of all, we come face to face with a large kangaroo sitting on the shore of a small island. “How did he get there?” I ask, astonished, aware that the island is way too small to be his permanent home. “He would’ve swum over from there,” explains Phil calmly, pointing to the riverbank about 100 metres away. Turns out that, in addition to their other talents (like leaping more than nine metres in a single bound), kangaroos are proficient swimmers, using their long tail to help propel them, much like crocodiles do.

Our gentle morning kayak sums up what’s best about a stay at Yamba – the glistening water, the unexpected encounters and the leisurely pace of life. “Everyone here has time to say hello,” a server at one of the local cafes tells me, and she’s not wrong. Wherever I go, people always have a smile at the ready and a warm greeting.

A stay at Yamba has traditionally been all about the water. The town has five beaches, some suitable for swimmers, others appealing to surfers. The nearby town of Angourie has a couple of magnificent beaches of its own, as well as two marvellous swimming holes, the Blue Pool and the Green Pool, set back from the shoreline. These holes were once quarries – the rock dug up here was used to build the breakwall in the river – but are now permanently filled with water, providing idyllic swimming when the ocean is rough.

There’s also plenty to explore away from the coast. One of my favourite destinations is the charming Peach Farm, an off-grid property where you can pick your own peaches and pomegranates in season, learn about regenerative farming and meet and feed the adorable collection of farm animals ranging from sheep, goats and chickens to alpacas, peacocks and turkeys. There’s even a small cafe, where you can tuck into one of the best bacon and egg sandwiches around.

While much of Yamba’s charm lies in the fact that it’s still a sleepy country town, it has a few sophisticated surprises up its sleeve. The local cafes serve up excellent flat whites – try Gather near Main Beach – and the four-course dinners at Karrikin restaurant, showcasing the best local ingredients, have a big-city flair. Then there’s hotel The Surf. Yamba’s new boutique bolthole, perched high on the cliff overlooking Main Beach, ticks all the boxes for a stylish retreat, from its clean deco-inspired lines and rooftop plunge pool to little luxuries such as irresistible Bemboka bathrobes.

Take the plunge on Kangaroo Island, SA

It’s a beach straight out of a tourist brochure. Powdery white sand, translucent waters glittering in an alluring shade of aquamarine and with plenty of room to move. The belt of sand, known as Vivonne Bay, stretches for six kilometres, so whether you’re in the mood for cooling off or simply strolling, you can find your own space. Vivonne Bay is Kangaroo Island at its most tranquil, but this island, sitting just off the mainland of South Australia, is a place of many characters. For those who lean towards exhilaration rather than relaxation, for instance, there’s Admirals Arch. Located on the windswept southwest coast, the natural rock arch has been carved out over millennia by the relentless surge of the roaring Southern Ocean. Standing here with the wind in your hair and sea spray in your face is an invigorating experience. It also happens to be a wonderful place to watch New Zealand fur seals frolicking in the rock pools.

Welcome to Kangaroo Island, a place that’s all about diversity and extraordinary beauty. Just a 45-minute ferry ride from the coast, this exceptional island has family-friendly beaches and rugged coastlines, astonishing wildlife, a thriving arts scene and fabulous, locally sourced food.

It’s also bigger than you may think. Kangaroo Island is 145 kilometres long and 54 kilometres at its widest point, and one-third of it is protected nature reserve. No wonder it’s one of the best places in Australia for wildlife spotting. Even after the devastating bushfires that swept through a few years ago, you can still expect to see lots of animals both on the land and at sea. Always dreamed of swimming with dolphins? Kangaroo Island Marine Adventures operates out of Emu Bay. Alternatively, over at Seal Bay Conservation Park, sea lions laze on the sand and are undisturbed by visitors.

One of the island’s most remarkable animal species is also one of its smallest. Kangaroo Island has long been home to the world’s last pure population of the Ligurian bee. The bees were hit hard by the bushfires, but local beekeepers – with the assistance of colleagues from the mainland – have been working hard to rebuild the populace.

Pay a visit to Island Beehive to learn more… and to enjoy a sample of the delicious honey, of course. The island has many other artisanal producers, including Emu Bay Lavender Farm, where the lavender scones and lavender ice-cream are simply divine. As you’d expect, there’s also an abundance of fresh seafood – head for The Oyster Farm Shop at American River for the day’s catch. Kangaroo Island also has a thriving artistic community, with an estimated 10 per cent of the 4600 inhabitants involved in some form of creative pursuit. Many of them have their work on display at the award winning Fine Art Kangaroo Island; among the island’s other galleries is the intriguing Some-Bling New Jewellery Studio.

Want to stay a little longer? There are options to suit every budget, from campsites to glamorous holiday homes. If you’re travelling with the gang, drop off your bags at the luxurious five-bedroom One Kangaroo Island for its secluded position, endless ocean views and private outdoor bathtub, or Dune House at Emu Bay, which has the best beachfront position on Kangaroo Island. 

Walk close to nature: 

The 61-kilometre Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail was designed to do two things: to showcase the rugged beauty of the Flinders Chase National Park, and to allow time to tune in to nature. Even though the 2019–20 bushfires that swept through the park ravaged much of the landscape, operators like Life’s An Adventure offer guided pack-free walks that use alternatives routes. The upside is the chance to see the regenerative powers of the Aussie bush at work, with the various landscapes – including coastal heath, mallee woodland and eucalypt forest – showing off a new green cloak. Wildlife spotting is also easier than ever before: expect to see koalas, kangaroos and echidnas. Visit lifesanadventure.com.au