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Kingscliff is a sleepy seashore aspect city on the northern NSW coast. Though it’s small in dimension, there are many issues to do in Kingscliff.
There is just one principal avenue within the city, however one is all you want as Kingscliff has a thriving foodie scene. The principle avenue is alive with busy cafes and farm-fresh eating places.
It’s additionally surrounded by pure magnificence. It has its personal powdery sand seashore, and has a tranquil Cudgen Creek and craggy headlands close by to discover.
Kingscliff could also be small, however there’s lots to maintain you occupied for a couple of days. In case you like a vacation vacation spot the place you possibly can hold your automobile within the automobile park, Kingy is the place. Every part you want is in strolling distance.
We have a tendency to go to rather a lot as my buddy Woody relocated to Kingscliff, NSW a number of years in the past, and is now a type of locals who loves Kingy! It does appear very livable.
In case you’re planning a go to however unsure what to do in Kingscliff, listed here are the highest points of interest!
1. Play at Cudgen Creek
Though Kingscliff has its personal seashore, we a lot desire Cudgen Creek. It overshadows the seashore because the native’s favorite water playground as a result of it’s so stunning and peaceable.
The water is crystal clear and excellent for stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, and calm waters for swimming. You may rent kayaks and paddleboards from Watersports Guru for an affordable worth.
There’s additionally a fantastic playground subsequent to the creek for when, or if, the youngsters get sick of swimming.
2. Stroll from Salt Seaside to Kingscliff
It should solely take you about 40 minutes to stroll from Salt Seaside to Kingscliff. You may take the seashore manner or the trail that runs parallel to the seashore. The trail was slightly simpler with Savannah on our shoulders.
It will get fairly as quickly as you hit the boardwalk round Cudgen creek and this stroll additionally makes for a fantastic bike trip.
Native information says the bridge is the place for some good pictures on a transparent night with a magical sundown. You may see out to Mt Warning within the distance.
3. Surf and play at Kingscliff Seaside
Throughout the highway from the principle strip is Kingscliff Seaside. This native seashore will fulfill the surfers searching for first rate waves, or these households simply wanting to construct sandcastles and play on the sand.
There’s a reef break on the southern finish of Kingscliff, which implies the water is mild and nice for teenagers to go swimming.
There’s additionally a picnic space and services corresponding to bathrooms and altering rooms. What journey to the seaside could be full and not using a day on the seashore?
4. Have dinner at Kingscliff Seaside Bowls Membership
Relating to eating in Kingscliff, you’ll discover low cost and good tucker right here on the Seaside Bowling Membership.
Drinks might be low cost too and the perfect information, you’re proper on the water with nice ocean views.
There’s additionally stay music, stand-up comedy and different nice reveals most nights of the week, in addition to in fact an opportunity to play bowls!
You will need to say hello to Fols (Woody’s husband!) for us when you’re there. He’s our good mate from residence who’s the overall supervisor!
5. Have a beer at Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Membership @ Kingscliff Seaside
You can see some extra superior views from the balcony on the Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Membership at Kingscliff Seaside.
It’s the place to return on Sundays when the bands are taking part in.
The meals right here is sweet as nicely, with specials for lunch and dinner. They usually have these children exercise packs to maintain them amused on the desk.
6. Take pleasure in night leisure at Salt Bar and Bistro
Salt Bar is positioned at Salt Seaside close to the Mantra. It’s a household pleasant bistro and fairly well-liked with travellers and locals particularly when the specials are on and weekend stay music.
There’s additionally a children indoor play space which is nice or a playground throughout the road.
7. Take a Scenic Drive from Kingscliff
If you wish to leap in your automobile and get out of Kingscliff on a day journey or simply for a couple of hours, there are a number of superior cities inside straightforward attain.
We cherished discovering Cabarita Seaside, due to the tip from our buddy, Woody.
It’s only a 10-minute drive south and for those who’re into browsing that is the place you wish to be.
You may also take a scenic drive by the Tweed Hinterland and discover cities corresponding to Tumbulgum and Condong on the Tweed River. Be certain to cease off on the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Artwork Centre to see regional art work.
Bangalow is one other city that’s fairly and has a scenic drive to. It’s positioned simply inland from Byron or a direct 40-minute drive from Kingscliff. The markets there are stated to be top-of-the-line in NSW. Murwillumbah is one other city a 20-minute drive inland. While there you would possibly wish to climb Mount Warning, the best peak in NSW.
Coolangatta is only a 15-minute drive north after which you might have entry to all that the Gold Coast has to supply.
We haven’t been to Pottsville however it’s speculated to be a beautiful city and is simply a 20-minute drive south on the best way to Byron.
8. Snorkel with turtles at Cook dinner Island
If you wish to get out and discover the islands and ocean, then you definitely’ll wish to head over to Watersports Guru, who’re the one firm providing boat excursions out of Kingscliff.
The most well-liked tour is to Cook dinner Island, which encompasses a scenic river cruise, adopted by a cease at Cook dinner Island the place you possibly can snorkel with turtles.
Positioned simply off Fingal Headland, the tiny Cook dinner Island is residence to Inexperienced, Hawksbill and Loggerhead Turtles, who’ve made this island their residence.
In case you go to between June and November, it’s possible you’ll even see some humpback whales on their seasonal migration too!
9. Take the youngsters to Tropical Fruit World, Duranbah
Tropical Fruit World is a 200-acre industrial fruit plantation positioned within the Cudgen Nature Reserve. In case you’re planning to go to the plantation, you possibly can both benefit from the onsite cafe and store, or you possibly can guide a guided tour of the plantation.
You may solely see the plantation on a tour, which not solely takes you across the fields, however you’ll additionally find out about how they develop tropical fruit, from planting to harvesting.
On a guided tour, you get to take a plantation safari, go on a wildlife-spotting cruise, and take a stroll across the fauna park.
In case you’re touring with children, they may love the tasting present and Aussie bush tucker expertise.
After a day of exploring the plantation, relax and benefit from the views of the Tweed Valley from the onsite cafe.
10. Take a Day Journey to Tweed Heads
Only a 15 minute drive up the Tweed Coast and also you’ve reached the neighboring city of Tweed Heads.
Tweed Heads and Kingscliff are very comparable in that they each appeal to seashore goers and sit on the banks of the river. However Tweeds Head has some extra cultural points of interest that Kingscliff doesn’t.
One of many highlights of visiting Tweed Heads is to take a go to to the Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre, the place you possibly can be taught in regards to the conventional homeowners of the area on bush walks by the close by wetlands and rainforest.
You may learn the way rum is made on the Husk Distillers, take a cruise alongside the Tweed River, go crab fishing, or just laze on the seashore.
11. Benefit from the waterfalls of Springbrook Nationwide Park
Only a quick drive away from Kingscliff is the gorgeous rainforest in The Springbrook Nationwide Park.
The nationwide park covers 1 / 4 of the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest, which stretches inland from the Gold Coast down in direction of the New South Wales border.
This historic rainforest is stuffed with superb nature walks and hikes, passing its lush waterfalls, springs and dense foliage. Some walks take you to spectacular view factors of the Tweed Hinterland.
Certainly one of our favourite family-friendly walks in Springbrook is the Twin Falls Circuit stroll.
12. Admire the basalt columns of Fingal Head
You may also drive 10 minutes north of Kingscliff to Fingal Head Lighthouse, which was well-liked with a couple of surfers once I stopped on the lighthouse for a glance.
13. Go whale watching (seasonal)
Throughout whale watching season (Could to November), you possibly can embark on a ship tour to see these magnificent sea giants of their pure habitat.
The boat excursions depart from Tweed Heads, from the Ivory Waterside Marina each day at 8:00am throughout the season.
On board a 50 foot boat, you’ll take pleasure in a 3 hour journey to look at the humpback whales in three totally different areas.
They’re wild animals, so sightings usually are not assured, however it’s uncommon that you just don’t see a minimum of one.
14. Fill up on native produce at Kingscliff Farmers Market
Anybody who follows our weblog is aware of we love a farmer’s market. The Kingscliff Lions Beachside Market is a farmers market held each second and fourth Saturday on the Marine Parade in Kingscliff. In case you occur to be on the town when it’s on, undoubtedly test it out.
Farmers Markets in Australia usually are not like wherever else – they’re a spot the place native growers and producers can promote their inventory, and you’ll decide up essentially the most recent and natural produce – however you may as well watch stay music, store for distinctive and artisan crafts and jewelery, and gorge on avenue meals.
The Kingscliff market runs from 8:00am – 1:00pm, however it tends to get full of life round 10:00am.
The place to remain in Kingscliff
In case you’re unsure the place to remain in Kingscliff, you’ll be happy to know Kingscliff has many resorts and resorts, lots of which have sea views.
In case you’re caught for selection, listed here are our prime options.
Kingscliff Seaside Lodge
Affectionately often called “The Kingy”, the Kingscliff Seaside Lodge overlooks the Pacific Ocean and Kingscliff Seaside.
This historic venue is a favorite vacation spot for locals and guests and has a incredible restaurant. It’s additionally a prime venue for stay music within the beer backyard.
Mantra on Salt Seaside
The Mantra on Salt is a vacation spot in itself.
Essentially the most stunning sunrises could be seen right here and proper from your personal balcony. That is the second time we’ve stayed right here and we’ll undoubtedly be again.
I do suppose the Mantra on Salt is someplace to return for a minimum of every week, The resort itself and the vacation spot makes it extra of a calming break. And it’s inside straightforward attain of all that Kingscliff and Northern NSW has to supply.
Salt village is nearly like a resort village, constructed for vacation makers, though a wider local people is rising round it as a result of its such a fantastic place. It’s near the principle a part of city however far sufficient away to provide you slightly distant really feel.
The Mantra is true reverse Salt Seaside, which is usually a little bit of a wild seashore, however fairly nonetheless.
The property has a lagoon-style pool, tennis courts and a day spa. The Mantra on Salt provides 317 lodge and totally self-contained one and two bed room rooms and suites every with a non-public balcony.
The buffet breakfast is de facto good at Mantra’s Surge Restaurant, particularly after a couple of too many drinks the night time earlier than – a whole lot of grease to take in the wine.
One of many different the explanation why I’ll return to Kingscliff!
Is Kingscliff value visiting?
Kingscliff is positioned on a sunny stretch of the New South Wales shoreline. It’s tucked roughly midway between the Gold Coast and Byron Bay, two extraordinarily well-liked locations, and this implies Kingscliff usually will get neglected as a trip spot.
That is nice information, nevertheless, as there aren’t many locations on the East Coast that haven’t develop into saturated with over commercialised tourism, and Kingscliff nonetheless retains a whole lot of its rural, beachside attraction.
It’s additionally just one.5 hour’s drive from Brisbane and 50 minutes drive to the Gold Coast, making it a really perfect day journey or weekend getaway spot.
It’s location, balmy seashores, up and coming foodie scene, and pleasant relaxed vibes makes it undoubtedly value visiting.
Getting there: From Sydney you possibly can fly one hour to Coolangatta Airport after which it’s only a 20-minute drive south.
Closing Ideas
Kingscliff NSW is packed filled with points of interest and actions you are able to do, it’s nicely value spending a couple of days there enjoyable and having fun with the coastal attraction.
Whether or not you wish to bask on Kingscliff Seaside, go kayaking or paddleboarding on the crystal-clear waters of Cudgen Creek, or take the youngsters to Tropical Fruit World, there’s a lot to see and love about this city.
We hope this information helped you intend your journey and helped you map out your itinerary.
It’s tucked away off the Pacific Freeway, so ensure you look out for the turning because it’s very straightforward to simply drive previous!
Extra North Coast NSW Journey Ideas
What are you most excited to do in Kingscliff? Tell us within the feedback!
