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REVIEW – Yamba Blue Dolphin Holiday Resort

Our Listings Editor, Marney Rackley and her family holidayed as guests of Yamba Blue Dolphin Holiday Resort. 

Yamba Blue Dolphin Holiday Resort: Family paradise on our doorstep

It’s that time of year when many of us are looking for inspiration for our next family holiday, because let’s face it life with no holiday to look forward to is tough. So because we care about your sanity we’ve done the hard work for you and found the perfect family getaway, and the best part? All you have to do is pack up the car and grab the kids for a little road trip because it’s a short two hour drive from the Gold Coast. Sound good? Read on …

Yamba Blue Dolphin

After recently asking around for suggestions as to where to take the fam for a little getaway, we kept getting the same response: “Go stay at the Blue Dolphin Holiday Resort in Yamba!”

With so many families recommending it, we had to give it a try.

Where is Yamba?

For those not familiar with Yamba, it’s a small sleepy fishing village in northern NSW. In the off season, it’s popular with the grey nomads and those who aren’t bound by the school holidays but in peak season Yamba is abuzz with holiday makers and is the perfect family-friendly destination to take the kids for a chilled-out holiday. So with the car packed full of essentials as well as a bunch of stuff we didn’t need (courtesy of the toddler) we set off in search of the perfect family holiday.

No plane rides. No looooooooong car rides. Amazing.

Located just off the main road as you approach the township, you will find the Blue Dolphin, conveniently located next to a Service Station and General Store. Once you check-in with the friendly staff at reception, you’ll receive a map and some more info on the park.

Everything you need is right there

Despite having done some research before we got to the Blue Dolphin, I was shocked at just how much there was to do all within the confines of the park. These guys have thought of everything: Swimming pools (yep … more than one), playgrounds, tennis courts, TV rooms, games rooms, laundries, BBQs … the list goes on. As well as all the activities available within the property, being smack bang on the banks of the Clarence River means that you can also venture out onto the waterways, with dinghies and kayaks available for hire too.

Depending on what you’re into, they also have a wide-range of accommodation options. We stayed in a two bedroom cabin, which was basic, but comfortable and perfect for our needs. If you’re into camping they also have camp sites (powered and unpowered) available, as well villas. For those who like a little more luxury make sure you check out the self-contained waterfront units and spa villas too.

It’s impossible to be bored

There are so many great things about staying at the Blue Dolphin with your family, but by far the best thing is that there is so much on offer to keep the kids occupied. During peak seasons they do some great organised activities, or the kids can just make the most of all the fantastic facilities: The pools were a hit with my toddler who loved the water slides as well as the waterpark, plus some of the pools are heated and can be enjoyed all year round.

Yamba Blue Dolphin

Can. You. Even? Yamba Blue Dolphin has e’rrrrything!

No wonder families were recommending this place

For the days when the pool isn’t an option they also have games rooms for the bigger kids and the Kids Kave will keep the littlies busy all day long! If getting outdoors is more your thing, then the whole family will love the pedal go-karts, which are fun for the kids but even more fun for the overly competitive parents (and yes I’m speaking from experience). And with the kids busy doing their own thing then it would remiss of us parents not to make the most of one of the newest additions to the resort: The swim-up bar! Yep, these guys definitely know how to set the scene for the perfect family vacation.

Our recommended eats:

The Blue Dolphin has a range of great meal options, from the Dolphin Shack to the DIY BBQs, but if you are looking beyond the resort we’d recommend the following:

Iron’s & Craig Cafe:

Located in town in a 100 year old converted beach house, Irons & Craig (Named after their Nanna’s surnames) do great breakfasts and the best coffee in Yamba. A funky spot to sit and admire their in-house art gallery on the sunny front deck.

Sassafrass:

This place is a family favourite for their great pizza and pasta!

The Chick Inn:

If you’re looking for a quick tasty snack after a day at the beach, this place is old-school in it’s offerings, and we loved it. I’m still thinking about the roast chicken and gravy roll … YUM!

Address: 2/4 Yamba St, Yamba NSW 2464

Phone: (02) 6646 1555

You wont regret a Yamba Blue Dolphin holiday

OK, so I know you must be thinking – is this all too good to be true? Well to be honest it’s hard to fault the place but if I had to say something it would be this: Because this resort is so awesome it gets busy, so if you’re planning to visit during peak season my advice is book well in advance, and be prepared to share the place with all the other families with the same idea as you. Alternatively if you can go outside of peak season (like we did) you will find it’s a much quieter and slower pace and, apart from the grey nomads, you’ll have the place to yourselves. Enjoy.

Photo of author

Janine Mergler

Janine Mergler is a veteran Queensland teacher, graduating from QUT with a BEd majoring in Social Sciences. After many years in the classroom, Janine moved on to academia. She has proudly trained new generations of teachers in her role as a lecturer at Queensland University of Technology Faculty of Education. She has also worked in the Queensland Government as an education specialist, developing education resources and delivering community awareness programs to help families conserve water. Currently she is the owner and editor of Families Magazine, a publication specifically targeted at parents who value a quality education for children.  Janine leads a team of professionals who write about family lifestyle, early childhood, schools and education information and family-friendly events.

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