The town is located on the North Coast railway line, and is served by the three daily NSW TrainLink services.

Gumbaynggirr lands stretch from Pillar Valley, Tyndale, Grafton and Copmanhurst in the north, to Glen Innes, Guyra and Black Mountain to the west, and to Bowraville to the south.

The name Nambucca comes from an Aboriginal word, ngambugka, variously translated as "winding or crooked river", and as "entrance to the waters.

[9] The North Coast railway was extended from Taree to South Grafton in 1915, but Nambucca Heads station was not opened until 1923.

Television: ABC, SBS, Seven Northern NSW, 10 (WIN), Nine (NBN) Nambucca Heads railway station, opened in 1923, on the North Coast Line.