From the minute you step into The Ulmarra Hotel, you know you’re somewhere special. It’s got immediate riverside charm, history, and character at every turn. This Federation-style gem from the late 1800’s sits proudly on the banks of the mighty Clarence River, a true Australian icon, full of stories waiting to be discovered.
The Ulmarra Hotel: For Groups, Families and Couples
The hotel offers ten cosy rooms, including the Large Family Room, which sleeps four, along with a variety of other rooms to suit couples, friends, or families. Altogether, The Ulmarra Hotel can host up to 22 guests, with each room spotless, welcoming, and full of thoughtful touches like fresh fruit, yoghurt, and breakfast goodies tucked away for guests. It’s immediately clear why this pub is loved and why people just keep returning.
Award-Winning Beer Garden & Clarence River Dining
The beer garden, which has been awarded one of the top beer gardens in NSW, is a sun-soaked riverside haven. Tables dot the lush lawn and edge right up to the riverbank, while gorgeous wrought-iron lacework adorns the wrap-around upper verandahs, where some rooms spill onto timber decks overlooking the lawns and river.
Jacarandas and other greenery add dappled shade and colour, creating the perfect spot to relax. Pull up a chair, crack a frosty beer (and Travellarks guests enjoy a free house drink on arrival), and watch the Clarence River glide past. It’s impossible not to unwind. Lunch here is a treat. There’s fresh oysters, rare salmon, and a glass of something chilled (twice, because one is never enough.)
The riverside dining menu is a real highlight. Gourmet dishes sit alongside pub classics like rumps, chicken parmys, and burgers, ensuring there’s something to delight every appetite. Plant-based options, the Graziers’ steak selection, fresh pizza, and local seafood, ( including shashimi tuna with wakame, pickled ginger, sesame soy, and wasabi mayo) make every meal feel special. To finish, the dessert cabinet doesn’t disappoint. There’s rich cheesecake, silky ice‑cream, and classic cake plates that cap off a riverside meal in style. It’s exactly why The Ulmarra Hotel fits perfectly in both our Gourmet Travellers and Family-Friendly collections.
Fishing, Local Adventures & Unique Characters
For those seeking adventure, the location is ideal. Yamba fishing and charters are just a short drive away, and the experience is unforgettable. Julie and Glynn are a fantastic duo, very passionate, welcoming, and full of stories. Every trip is magic as you’ll usually snag a big beauty and go home with the one that didn’t “get away”. And after a morning on the river, there’s nothing better than settling into a room overlooking the Clarence River.
Along the way, you’ll meet characters who remind you why a stay at The Ulmarra Hotel is as much about people as it is about place.
Meet Dan, the Heartbeat of The Ulmarra Hotel
And then there’s Dan, the publican. High-vis shirt? Check. Cheeky grin? Check. Stories, laughs, and local tips that make you feel instantly part of the family? Absolutely. Dan is the heartbeat of this legendary Aussie pub, and you feel it the moment you step through the door.
With ten cosy rooms, riverside charm, spotless rooms, a top award-winning beer garden, and some of the best pub food around, The Ulmarra Hotel isn’t just a stopover. It’s a proper Australian getaway with fishing (if you choose), laughing, eating, drinking…
The Ulmarra Hotel is a place that stays with you, and you’ll be planning your return before you’ve even left.
