Golfing in Clarence Valley Council
The Clarence River runs through most of this sprawling Northern Rivers council, and its five public courses follow it from the bush to the sea. Grafton Golf Club at South Grafton is the inland anchor: a hilly, tightly laid-out par 72 in natural bushland with couch greens, where accurate tee shots are rewarded and well-placed forward tees keep it fair for everyone. Downstream, Maclean is an 18-hole parkland course on Woodford Island that often exceeds expectations, with true greens, genuine length, and kangaroos and wallabies for company. Lawrence is a volunteer-kept nine-hole club suited to beginners and relaxed social rounds. At the river mouth, Yamba Golf & Country Club, dating from 1956, plays as a coastal parkland par 72, and Iluka's 10 holes, with dual tees making up a full round, bring trees and sea breezes into play.