Clarence Valley

Clarence Valley Family

From baby rhyme sessions and playgroups to youth activities, school-holiday programs and specialist family support, Clarence Valley families have practical options across Grafton, Maclean, Yamba and surrounding communities. Explore what suits your child’s age and interests, then check current enrolment, access and appointment arrangements directly with the provider.

✨ Play, learning and early connection

Clarence Regional Library — Early Literacy

Share songs, stories and early language activities at library sessions in Grafton and Yamba. Baby Bounce welcomes babies aged 0–12 months with a parent or carer, while Toddler Time is designed for children aged 12–36 months. Both programs run in eight-week terms. Families can use the library’s events information to find current sessions and registration details.

Mudyala Aboriginal Corporation — Lower Clarence Play N Yarn

Play N Yarn gives parents and carers a relaxed way to spend time with their children and connect with others in Maclean and Yamba. Groups include games, craft, puzzles, other activities and morning tea. Contact Mudyala for enrolment information and an updated schedule before attending.

🎯 Sport, holidays and youth activities

PCYC Grafton

Children and young people can take part in junior gymnastics and indoor sports at this youth-focused Grafton recreation venue. PCYC also runs school-holiday activities, including a full-day program for children aged 5–12. Enrolment is required for the holiday program, while gymnastics age groups and fees vary between activities, so check the current program before choosing a class.

Clarence Valley Council — Youth Programs

Young people aged 12–25 can access Council youth opportunities across the Clarence Valley. Free activities are offered during school holidays, while Out of the Box after-school sessions run fortnightly in Maclean and Yamba and weekly at Coutts Crossing. Program content and dates can change, making Council’s current youth information the useful first stop when planning.

🌱 Parenting and child development

Tresillian in Clarence Grafton Day Services

Parents seeking guidance about a child’s sleep, crying, feeding or behaviour can book a nurse-led consultation. Support also covers parenting and emotional wellbeing. Appointments are generally about two hours and may be held face to face or virtually. A referral from a health professional is not required, and fees are covered by Medicare.

North Coast Kids

Based in Grafton and serving Clarence Valley families, North Coast Kids provides paediatric occupational therapy, speech pathology and allied health assistant services. Support is available for children from birth to 16 who have developmental delays or difficulties participating in everyday activities. Depending on the child’s needs and goals, sessions may take place at the Grafton clinic or at home, school or another community setting.

Flourish Allied Health Services

This Maclean multidisciplinary practice supports children, adults and families through speech pathology, occupational therapy, early childhood teaching, key-worker services and allied health assistance. For children, the team can work on play-based developmental goals, sensory strategies and social participation. Families may also receive help navigating relevant service systems.

Social Futures — Family Connect and Support Brighter Beginnings

Brighter Beginnings is a free regional early-support pathway that includes Clarence Valley and serves families with children aged 0–5. It helps families connect with health, wellbeing and family services and navigate systems such as the NDIS. Parents and carers can approach the program directly or use its referral form; an educator may also refer a family when consent has been provided.

💛 Family and youth wellbeing

Northern Rivers Community Gateway — Connecting Families

Parents in the Clarence region who find parenting or everyday pressures difficult or overwhelming can receive free, tailored case management. The program is for parents of children up to 15 and may continue for up to 44 weeks. Depending on family needs, assistance can include home visits, parenting programs, fathers’ support, playgroup connections, counselling access and referrals to other services.

Northern NSW Local Health District — Child and Family Counselling

Free counselling in Grafton is available for children aged 0–12 and their families or carers. Areas of support include behavioural and emotional difficulties, anxiety, grief and loss, trauma and relationship difficulties. No referral is required, but families need to phone first to discuss access and arrange an appointment. The service is not a crisis response and does not work directly with children while Family Court matters are in progress.

headspace Grafton

Young people aged 12–25 from Grafton and the wider Clarence Valley can access free, confidential support when they are going through a tough time. Available services include counselling, psychology, drug and alcohol counselling, dietetics, groups and connections with other supports. A young person may walk in to arrange an appointment, call or email, or be referred by a parent, carer, teacher or youth service. headspace Grafton is not a crisis service.

Social Futures — Reconnect

Reconnect is a free regional early-intervention program available in Grafton and Yamba for young people aged 12–18 who may be at risk of homelessness due to family relationship breakdown. Counselling, mediation and practical assistance are available to young people and their families. Support may address living arrangements, communication, family relationships and maintaining a connection with school.

🛡 Family violence support

Gurehlgam Corporation — Staying Home Leaving Violence

Women in the Clarence Valley who have left a violent relationship may access this specialised domestic and family violence program. It includes support for women with children and minors in their care. Assistance can involve maintaining accommodation, accessing counselling and relevant services, and supporting children’s education or childcare. The program page directs people to contact Gurehlgam’s Grafton office and ask for Tashinda.

📌 Before you book or attend

• Check ages and eligibility: Programs range from baby sessions to support for young adults, and some have specific family circumstances or regional criteria.
• Confirm registration: Holiday programs, library terms, playgroups and ongoing classes may require enrolment or have updated schedules.
• Discuss access needs: Ask the provider about accessibility, communication needs and whether clinic, mobile or virtual delivery is available where relevant.
• Clarify costs and funding: Some listed services are free or Medicare-covered, while activity fees can vary. Confirm current costs before committing.
• Use the right pathway: Counselling and youth wellbeing listings may require an initial phone discussion or appointment and should not be treated as crisis services.

🌟 Run a family-focused business, service, activity or community group in or around the Clarence Valley? You are warmly invited to add your listing or update its details so local families can find current, practical information.

⚠️ Accuracy Note: We do our best to keep this information useful and up to date, however details can change over time. If you notice anything that appears incorrect or out of date, please let us know and we will review it. Local business owners and community leaders can also help keep local information accurate by logging in and creating or managing their own listing and useful content on clarencevalley.nsw.guide.