Fifty kilometres north of Grafton on the banks of the mighty Clarence River, is the pleasant river port of Maclean. Settled by Scottish immigrants, the town celebrates it's heritage with a Highland Gathering every Easter.

Only twelve kilometres off the main highway from the turn-off at Maclean is the prawning and fishing town of Yamba. At the mouth of the big river, Yamba has swelled over the past couple of decades to become the largest resort in the Clarence Valley. There are some fine beaches and it's location allows easy access to Iluka and the Bundjalung National Park in the north, and Angourie and the Yuraygir National Park to the south.

Angourie is one of the top spots on the coast for experienced surfers and is at the tip of the northern stretch of the Yuraygir National Park. The park, dominated by sand ridges, banksia heath, and secluded beaches has some good bushwalks and is great for fishing and swimming. It's also home to the Blue Pool, a freshwater lake of unknown origin and depth, only fifty metres from the ocean.

On the other side of the river mouth, Iluka is accessible by a ferry which runs several times a day from Yamba. It's worth the trip because in the area there's a World Heritage listed Nature Reserve which contains the largest coastal rainforest in New South Wales. Also, the town itself lies at the southern end of Bundjalung National Park. The park's extensive middens and old Aboriginal campsites show what a favoured part of the country this must have been to the local Bundjalung people. There's some more good surfing beaches plus loads of wildlife.

Bundjalung National Park stretches between the main highway and coast as far north as Evans Head. This holiday and fishing hamlet is also close to Broadwater National Park which contains similar wilderness, but a larger variety of birdlife. The town itself has some broad surf beaches and sandy river flats which encourage a range of water sports including windsurfing, fishing, and boating.