Named after the largest of the northern rivers, Clarence Valley is home to more than 50,000 people.
Located in the north-east of NSW, the Clarence Valley Region covers an area of 10,429 square kilometres. The major centres are Grafton, Maclean and Yamba, with each encompassing broader districts of satellite townships, including centres such as Lawrence, Harwood and Iluka.

The Region is about 570 kilometres north of Sydney and 240 kilometres south of Brisbane. In a broader regional context, Grafton is about an hour north of Coffs Harbour, with Iluka just more than an hour south of Lismore and Ballina.

Today, the Clarence Valley economy remains closely associated with its natural assets and production activities. The ship building and marine manufacturing cluster, downriver near the mouth of the Clarence, is perhaps the Region’s most distinctive industry.

The Pacific Highway is the key road transport network link for the Clarence Valley, north to Queensland and south to Sydney. Summerland Way is an inland highway network link that also provides an important north-south connection. The Gwydir Highway provides the east-west corridor that links the inland plains to the Clarence Valley via the New England region.

Clarence Valley’s key endowments lie in its coastal, riverine and hinterland amenity; arable soils and favourable climate; access to Sydney and Brisbane via the M1 / Pacific Highway; and the ability to bring new industrial land to market cost effectively.

These endowments are the basis of the Region’s specialisations, which include:
• ‘Engines of Growth’, such as tourism, agriculture (blueberries & sugar cane), aquaculture, forestry,
marine manufacturing and logistics
• business-’enabling’ activities, such as tourism connected property services, construction, utilities and
financial and professional services
• internal, ‘population-serving’ industries, including health, retail and public administration

If you’re thinking about relocating or starting a business in Iluka – get in touch with us and we’d be happy to provide you the advice you need to progress your plans.