DISCOVER
HASTINGS POINT Known as the ‘Jewel of the Tweed’, Hastings Point is surrounded by ocean, a national park and reserve, a beautiful estuary and a large stretch of native vegetation. Little wonder this haven is where you’ll find local families swimming, sunbathing, stand-up paddleboarding and bridge jumping just about every single day of the year! The calm and often crystal clear waters of Cudgera Creek make it a hugely popular holiday destination for families with young children. There’s also the fantastic Tweed Coast Surf School in residence at the old surf shack by the river’s edge. As a result, Hastings tends to get pretty crowded on some days, especially during school holidays, but regardless, you can’t help but fall in love with any day spent enjoying this charming corner of the Tweed Coast.
CABARITA BEACH Driving south over the rise on Tweed Coast Road once you hit Cabarita Beach, you can’t help but look to the left — with a pumping break known for consistent and long, powerful rides and a pristine golden beach, this truly is a surfer’s paradise! Known for its natural beauty and laidback beach vibe, Cabarita Beach is a favourite
with locals and holidaymakers (as the often packed car park with vans laden with surfboards will attest!). Walk along the boardwalk to the top of nearby Norries Head to be rewarded with sweeping, uninterrupted views of the coastline both north to Casuarina and Tweed and south from Maggies Beach and Pottsville to Byron Bay that will take your breath away. The lookout is a popular spot for picnics or afternoons lounging on the grassy headland and is a great place to watch the annual whale migration between June and October — you’re almost guaranteed to spot Humpbacks or Southern Right Whales.
SALT BEACH As one of the closest beaches to the border, located just a 20-minute drive south from Coolangatta Airport, Salt Beach is one of the Northern Rivers most accessible and best-kept secrets and a much-loved destination for holidaymakers and locals alike. There are kilometres of well-maintained boardwalks and pathways to walk and cycle on that stretch right along the coastline here, so you can cycle or stroll to the beach and back through heath and grasslands. The beach is ideal for surfing, but not so much for swimming — there’s a constant rip that tends to sweep
northwards, and the majority of the beach isn’t patrolled, so proceed with caution. The Salt Boat House also offers a simple access point to Cudgen Creek, where you can hire canoes and kayaks and make the most of the calmer waters. But the real allure lies in its close proximity to the luxury hotels and restaurants of the nearby resort community of Salt Beach, which is perfectly set up for holidays and caters well for families with children.
KINGSCLIFF Located at the southern end of Wommin Bay and cradled by Cudgen Headland, Kingscliff Beach and the entire area has a relaxed vibe and a plethora of options for a perfect day in or by the water. There’s excellent surfing, an ocean-side lagoon, and grassy parklands with amenities to keep you lingering a little longer. For the ultimate day of aquatic pleasures, head to the picturesque river and estuary system that spills out into the Pacific Ocean at the southern end of the beach. It’s an ideal swimming spot (great for small kids, fishing, and watersports). And as the current is generally slow-flowing, so you can settle in and simply let the river carry you away on an inflatable or bodyboard. Bliss!
Image: Norries Head, Cabarita Beach / Destination NSW
CABARITA BEACH
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SUMMER 21/22
