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Kingscliff is a sleepy beach side town on the northern NSW coast. Although it’s small in size, there are plenty of things to do in Kingscliff.
There is only one main street in the town, but one is all you need as Kingscliff has a thriving foodie scene. The main street is alive with busy cafes and farm-fresh restaurants.
It’s also surrounded by natural beauty. It has its own powdery sand beach, and has a tranquil Cudgen Creek and craggy headlands nearby to explore.
Aerial over Cudgen Creek break walls, Credit: Ryan Fowler; Destination Tweed
Kingscliff may be small, but there’s plenty to keep you occupied for a few days. If you like a holiday destination where you can keep your car in the car park, Kingy is the place. Everything you need is in walking distance.
We tend to visit a lot as my friend Woody relocated to Kingscliff, NSW several years ago, and is now one of those locals who loves Kingy! It does seem very livable.
If you’re planning a visit but not sure what to do in Kingscliff, here are the top attractions!
1. Play at Cudgen Creek
Although Kingscliff has its own beach, we much prefer Cudgen Creek. It overshadows the beach as the local’s favourite water playground because it’s so beautiful and peaceful.
The water is crystal clear and perfect for stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, and calm waters for swimming. You can hire kayaks and paddleboards from Watersports Guru for a reasonable price.
There’s also a great playground next to the creek for when, or if, the kids get sick of swimming.
2. Walk from Salt Beach to Kingscliff
It will only take you about 40 minutes to walk from Salt Beach to Kingscliff. You can take the beach way or the path that runs parallel to the beach. The path was a little easier with Savannah on our shoulders.
It gets pretty as soon as you hit the boardwalk around Cudgen creek and this walk also makes for a great bike ride.
Local knowledge says the bridge is the place for some good photos on a clear evening with a magical sunset. You can see out to Mt Warning in the distance.
3. Surf and play at Kingscliff Beach
Across the road from the main strip is Kingscliff Beach. This local beach will satisfy the surfers looking for decent waves, or those families just wanting to build sandcastles and play on the sand.
There’s a reef break on the southern end of Kingscliff, which means the water is gentle and great for kids to go swimming.
There’s also a picnic area and facilities such as toilets and changing rooms. What trip to the seaside would be complete without a day at the beach?
4. Have dinner at Kingscliff Beach Bowls Club
When it comes to dining in Kingscliff, you’ll find cheap and good tucker here at the Beach Bowling Club.
Drinks will be cheap too and the best news, you’re right on the water with great ocean views.
Try the salmon!
There’s also live music, stand-up comedy and other great shows most nights of the week, as well as of course a chance to play bowls!
You must say hi to Fols (Woody’s husband!) for us while you’re there. He’s our good mate from home who’s the general manager!
5. Have a beer at Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club @ Kingscliff Beach
View from Surf Club
You will find some more awesome views from the balcony at the Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club at Kingscliff Beach.
It’s the place to come on Sundays when the bands are playing.
The food here is good as well, with specials for lunch and dinner. And they have those kids activity packs to keep them amused at the table.
6. Enjoy evening entertainment at Salt Bar and Bistro
Salt Bar is located at Salt Beach near the Mantra. It’s a family friendly bistro and quite popular with travellers and locals especially when the specials are on and weekend live music.
There’s also a kids indoor play area which is great or a playground across the street.
7. Take a Scenic Drive from Kingscliff
If you want to jump in your car and get out of Kingscliff on a day trip or just for a few hours, there are several awesome towns within easy reach.
We loved discovering Cabarita Beach, thanks to the tip from our friend, Woody.
It’s just a 10-minute drive south and if you’re into surfing this is where you want to be.
You can also take a scenic drive through the Tweed Hinterland and explore towns such as Tumbulgum and Condong on the Tweed River. Make sure to stop off at the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre to see regional artwork.
Bangalow is another town that’s pretty and has a scenic drive to. It’s located just inland from Byron or a direct 40-minute drive from Kingscliff. The markets there are said to be one of the best in NSW. Murwillumbah is another town a 20-minute drive inland. Whilst there you might want to climb Mount Warning, the highest peak in NSW.
Coolangatta is just a 15-minute drive north and then you have access to all that the Gold Coast has to offer.
We haven’t been to Pottsville but it is supposed to be a lovely town and is only a 20-minute drive south on the way to Byron.
8. Snorkel with turtles at Cook Island
If you want to get out and explore the islands and ocean, then you’ll want to head over to Watersports Guru, who are the only company offering boat tours out of Kingscliff.
The most popular tour is to Cook Island, which features a scenic river cruise, followed by a stop at Cook Island where you can snorkel with turtles.
Located just off Fingal Headland, the tiny Cook Island is home to Green, Hawksbill and Loggerhead Turtles, who have made this island their home.
If you visit between June and November, you may even see some humpback whales on their seasonal migration too!
9. Take the kids to Tropical Fruit World, Duranbah
Credit: Destination NSW
Tropical Fruit World is a 200-acre commercial fruit plantation located in the Cudgen Nature Reserve. If you’re planning to visit the plantation, you can either enjoy the onsite cafe and shop, or you can book a guided tour of the plantation.
You can only see the plantation on a tour, which not only takes you around the fields, but you’ll also learn about how they grow 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 walk around the fauna park.
If you’re traveling with kids, they will love the tasting show and Aussie bush tucker experience.
After a day of exploring the plantation, kick back and enjoy the views of the Tweed Valley from the onsite cafe.
10. Take a Day Trip to Tweed Heads
Crabbing along the Tweed River Credit: Destination NSW
Just a 15 minute drive up the Tweed Coast and you’ve reached the neighboring town of Tweed Heads.
Tweed Heads and Kingscliff are very similar in that they both attract beach goers and sit on the banks of the river. But Tweeds Head has some more cultural attractions that Kingscliff doesn’t.
One of the highlights of visiting Tweed Heads is to take a visit to the Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre, where you can learn about the traditional owners of the region on bush walks through the nearby wetlands and rainforest.
You can learn how rum is made at the Husk Distillers, take a cruise along the Tweed River, go crab fishing, or simply laze on the beach.
11. Enjoy the waterfalls of Springbrook National Park
Twin Falls
Just a short drive away from Kingscliff is the beautiful rainforest in The Springbrook National Park.
The national park covers a quarter of the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest, which stretches inland from the Gold Coast down towards the New South Wales border.
This ancient rainforest is full of amazing nature walks and hikes, passing its lush waterfalls, springs and dense foliage. Some walks take you to spectacular view points of the Tweed Hinterland.
One of our favorite family-friendly walks in Springbrook is the Twin Falls Circuit walk.
12. Admire the basalt columns of Fingal Head
You can also drive 10 minutes north of Kingscliff to Fingal Head Lighthouse, which was popular with a few surfers when I stopped at the lighthouse for a look.
13. Go whale watching (seasonal)
During whale watching season (May to November), you can embark on a boat tour to see these magnificent sea giants in their natural habitat.
The boat tours leave from Tweed Heads, from the Ivory Waterside Marina every day at 8:00am during the season.
On board a 50 foot boat, you will enjoy a three hour trip to watch the humpback whales in three different locations.
They are wild animals, so sightings are not guaranteed, but it’s unusual that you don’t see at least one.
14. Stock up on local produce at Kingscliff Farmers Market
Anyone who follows our blog knows we love a farmer’s market. The Kingscliff Lions Beachside Market is a farmers market held every second and fourth Saturday at the Marine Parade in Kingscliff. If you happen to be in town when it’s on, definitely check it out.
Farmers Markets in Australia are not like anywhere else – they are a place where local growers and producers can sell their stock, and you can pick up the most fresh and organic produce – but you can also watch live music, shop for unique and artisan crafts and jewelery, and gorge on street food.
The Kingscliff market runs from 8:00am – 1:00pm, but it tends to get lively around 10:00am.
Where to stay in Kingscliff
If you’re not sure where to stay in Kingscliff, you’ll be pleased to know Kingscliff has many resorts and hotels, many of which have sea views.
If you’re stuck for choice, here are our top suggestions.
Kingscliff Beach Hotel
Affectionately known as “The Kingy”, the Kingscliff Beach Hotel overlooks the Pacific Ocean and Kingscliff Beach.
This historic venue is a favourite destination for locals and visitors and has a fantastic restaurant. It’s also a top venue for live music in the beer garden.
Mantra on Salt Beach
The Mantra on Salt is a destination in itself.
The most beautiful sunrises can be seen here and right from your own balcony. This is the second time we have stayed here and we’ll definitely be back.
I do think the Mantra on Salt is somewhere to come for at least a week, The resort itself and the destination makes it more of a relaxing break. And it’s within easy reach of all that Kingscliff and Northern NSW has to offer.
Salt village is almost like a resort village, built for holiday makers, although a wider local community is growing around it because its such a great place. It’s close to the main part of town but far enough away to give you a little remote feel.
The Mantra is right opposite Salt Beach, which can be a bit of a wild beach, but pretty nonetheless.
The property has a lagoon-style pool, tennis courts and a day spa. The Mantra on Salt offers 317 hotel and fully self-contained one and two bedroom rooms and suites each with a private balcony.
The buffet breakfast is really good at Mantra’s Surge Restaurant, especially after a few too many drinks the night before – a lot of grease to soak up the wine.
One of the other reasons why I will return to Kingscliff!
Is Kingscliff worth visiting?
Kingscliff is located on a sunny stretch of the New South Wales coastline. It’s tucked roughly halfway between the Gold Coast and Byron Bay, two extremely popular destinations, and this means Kingscliff often gets overlooked as a vacation spot.
This is great news, however, as there aren’t many places on the East Coast that haven’t become saturated with over commercialised tourism, and Kingscliff still retains a lot of its rural, beachside charm.
It’s also only 1.5 hour’s drive from Brisbane and 50 minutes drive to the Gold Coast, making it an ideal day trip or weekend getaway spot.
It’s location, balmy beaches, up and coming foodie scene, and delightful relaxed vibes makes it definitely worth visiting.
Getting there: From Sydney you can fly one hour to Coolangatta Airport and then it’s just a 20-minute drive south.
Final Thoughts
Kingscliff NSW is packed full of attractions and activities you can do, it’s well worth spending a few days there relaxing and enjoying the coastal charm.
Whether you want to bask on Kingscliff Beach, go kayaking or paddleboarding on the crystal-clear waters of Cudgen Creek, or take the kids to Tropical Fruit World, there’s so much to see and love about this town.
We hope this guide helped you plan your trip and helped you map out your itinerary.
It’s tucked away off the Pacific Highway, so make sure you look out for the turning as it’s very easy to just drive past!
More North Coast NSW Travel Tips
What are you most excited to do in Kingscliff? Let us know in the comments!
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