In an unassuming nook of the Northern Rivers coastline is Yamba. A town shrouded in the nostalgia of barefoot roadtripping and holidays spent on the sand. It's a town that leans into its stillness. Salt in the air, sun-warped timber, and a rhythm that asks you to slow down.

And by the sea, Il Delfino waits. This Mediterranean-inspired hotel exists in one of the last remaining original structures on the oceanfront, where it’s stood since 1948. Il Delfino is a love letter to summer, an intimate destination that harks back to old-school beach houses.

Equipped with four suites and a bungalow, it is a residence that has been lovingly restored and infused with the dream of an Italian Vacanza. Each of the tranquil interiors leads out to a wrought-iron-clad balcony that heralds the salty views. After all, no one comes to Yamba to sit inside.

Where to eat

El Ocaso serves some of the freshest seafood you'll ever eat, with options for meat-eaters and vegetarians too.

For a cafe-style fix, you can't go past Gather which has some of the best coffee in town.

For a simple breakfast on the beach, you'll want to try The Kiosk.

Karrikin has a review-worthy set menu.

For a zingy Mexican-inspired dinner option, there's Playa Bodega.

Or if you just want to share a pizza, try Drift.

And if you want to embrace pure nostalgia, head to Yamba Fishos.

What to do

Daily swims and surfing are essential to any Yamba holiday. At Convent Beach, the water feels like glass. Wander further — to Angourie, where the break is punchier. Hire a longboard and paddle out at Turners, or float lazy circuits in the ocean pool.

Whitings Beach, Pippi Beach and Main Beach are perfect places for a gentler swim, especially if you have children with you.

For an afternoon stroll, don't miss the break wall at Turners or exploring the blue and green pools at Angourie.

Yamba has a famed farmer's market that is well worth a look if you'd timed your visit right.

For some true r&r, try Yamba's bathhouse Exhale.

Be sure to carve out some time to spend tucked away in Il Delfino's BOOKSSHELF – a rotating mini library with a curated collection of in-house reads. It's designed to encourage one of the greatest vacation pastimes—losing yourself in a great book.

Whatever you do, remember to forget your phone.

Where to drink

Walk to the Pacific Hotel after dinner to grab a beer with a cliff’s edge view.

Try Paradiso for cosy vibes and some delicious sharing plates.

Or grab a bottle of Prosecco and drink it on your Il Delfino balcony and soak up the sun.

It’s a retreat without the rhetoric. Just an old beach house, softened by time and taste. The kind of place that makes you want to write again. Or nap. Or fall in love with whoever you brought with you.

Come with someone you like. Come with no plans. Come to remember what summer is supposed to feel like.