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Kingscliff is a sleepy seaside 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 primary 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 seaside, 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 just a few days. Should you like a vacation vacation spot the place you possibly can preserve your automotive within the automotive park, Kingy is the place. Every part you want is in strolling distance.
We have a tendency to go to quite a bit as my pal Woody relocated to Kingscliff, NSW a number of years in the past, and is now a kind of locals who loves Kingy! It does appear very livable.
Should you’re planning a go to however undecided what to do in Kingscliff, listed here are the highest points of interest!
1. Play at Cudgen Creek
Though Kingscliff has its personal seaside, we a lot choose Cudgen Creek. It overshadows the seaside 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 possibly can rent kayaks and paddleboards from Watersports Guru for an affordable value.
There’s additionally an amazing playground subsequent to the creek for when, or if, the children get sick of swimming.
2. Stroll from Salt Seaside to Kingscliff
It’ll solely take you about 40 minutes to stroll from Salt Seaside to Kingscliff. You possibly can take the seaside manner or the trail that runs parallel to the seaside. 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 an amazing bike journey.
Native information says the bridge is the place for some good photographs on a transparent night with a magical sundown. You possibly can see out to Mt Warning within the distance.
3. Surf and play at Kingscliff Seaside
Throughout the street from the primary strip is Kingscliff Seaside. This native seaside will fulfill the surfers in search of 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 suggests the water is light and nice for youths to go swimming.
There’s additionally a picnic space and services resembling bathrooms and altering rooms. What journey to the seaside can be full with no day on the seaside?
4. Have dinner at Kingscliff Seaside Bowls Membership
In terms of 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 one of the best information, you’re proper on the water with nice ocean views.
There’s additionally reside music, stand-up comedy and different nice reveals most nights of the week, in addition to after all an opportunity to play bowls!
You should say hello to Fols (Woody’s husband!) for us when you’re there. He’s our good mate from house who’s the final supervisor!
5. Have a beer at Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Membership @ Kingscliff Seaside
You’ll find 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 nice as properly, with specials for lunch and dinner. They usually have these children exercise packs to maintain them amused on the desk.
6. Get pleasure from 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 fashionable with travellers and locals particularly when the specials are on and weekend reside 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 soar in your automotive and get out of Kingscliff on a day journey or simply for just a few hours, there are a number of superior cities inside simple attain.
We cherished discovering Cabarita Seaside, due to the tip from our pal, Woody.
It’s only a 10-minute drive south and in the event you’re into browsing that is the place you need to be.
You can too take a scenic drive by way of the Tweed Hinterland and discover cities resembling Tumbulgum and Condong on the Tweed River. Make certain to cease off on the Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Artwork Centre to see regional paintings.
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 mentioned to be probably the greatest in NSW. Murwillumbah is one other city a 20-minute drive inland. While there you may need to climb Mount Warning, the best peak in NSW.
Coolangatta is only a 15-minute drive north after which you may have entry to all that the Gold Coast has to supply.
We haven’t been to Pottsville however it’s alleged to be a stunning city and is barely a 20-minute drive south on the best way to Byron.
8. Snorkel with turtles at Prepare dinner Island
If you wish to get out and discover the islands and ocean, then you definately’ll need to head over to Watersports Guru, who’re the one firm providing boat excursions out of Kingscliff.
The preferred tour is to Prepare dinner Island, which incorporates a scenic river cruise, adopted by a cease at Prepare dinner Island the place you possibly can snorkel with turtles.
Positioned simply off Fingal Headland, the tiny Prepare dinner Island is house to Inexperienced, Hawksbill and Loggerhead Turtles, who’ve made this island their house.
Should you go to between June and November, chances are you’ll even see some humpback whales on their seasonal migration too!
9. Take the children to Tropical Fruit World, Duranbah
Tropical Fruit World is a 200-acre industrial fruit plantation positioned within the Cudgen Nature Reserve. Should you’re planning to go to the plantation, you possibly can both benefit from the onsite cafe and store, or you possibly can e-book a guided tour of the plantation.
You possibly can 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.
Should you’re touring with children, they’ll love the tasting present and Aussie bush tucker expertise.
After a day of exploring the plantation, chill 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 related in that they each appeal to seaside 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 house owners of the area on bush walks by way of the close by wetlands and rainforest.
You possibly can 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 seaside.
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 filled 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.
One in every of our favourite family-friendly walks in Springbrook is the Twin Falls Circuit stroll.
12. Admire the basalt columns of Fingal Head
You can too drive 10 minutes north of Kingscliff to Fingal Head Lighthouse, which was fashionable with just a few surfers once I stopped on the lighthouse for a glance.
13. Go whale watching (seasonal)
Throughout whale watching season (Might to November), you possibly can embark on a ship tour to see these magnificent sea giants of their pure habitat.
The boat excursions go away from Tweed Heads, from the Ivory Waterside Marina day by day at 8:00am through the season.
On board a 50 foot boat, you’ll get pleasure from a 3 hour journey to observe the humpback whales in three completely different areas.
They’re wild animals, so sightings will not be assured, nevertheless it’s uncommon that you simply 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. Should you occur to be on the town when it’s on, undoubtedly test it out.
Farmers Markets in Australia will not be like anyplace else – they’re a spot the place native growers and producers can promote their inventory, and you may decide up probably the most recent and natural produce – however you can too watch reside music, store for distinctive and artisan crafts and jewelery, and gorge on avenue meals.
The Kingscliff market runs from 8:00am – 1:00pm, nevertheless it tends to get vigorous round 10:00am.
The place to remain in Kingscliff
Should you’re undecided the place to remain in Kingscliff, you’ll be happy to know Kingscliff has many resorts and inns, lots of which have sea views.
Should you’re caught for alternative, listed here are our prime ideas.
Kingscliff Seaside Lodge
Affectionately generally known as “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 unbelievable restaurant. It’s additionally a prime venue for reside music within the beer backyard.
Mantra on Salt Seaside
The Mantra on Salt is a vacation spot in itself.
Probably the most stunning sunrises could be seen right here and proper from your personal balcony. That is the second time we’ve got stayed right here and we’ll undoubtedly be again.
I do suppose the Mantra on Salt is someplace to return for a minimum of per week, The resort itself and the vacation spot makes it extra of a calming break. And it’s inside simple 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 an amazing place. It’s near the primary a part of city however far sufficient away to offer you slightly distant really feel.
The Mantra is true reverse Salt Seaside, which could be a little bit of a wild seaside, however fairly nonetheless.
The property has a lagoon-style pool, tennis courts and a day spa. The Mantra on Salt affords 317 lodge and absolutely self-contained one and two bed room rooms and suites every with a personal balcony.
The buffet breakfast is absolutely good at Mantra’s Surge Restaurant, particularly after just a few too many drinks the evening earlier than – loads of grease to absorb the wine.
One of many different the explanation why I’ll return to Kingscliff!
Is Kingscliff price 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 fashionable locations, and this implies Kingscliff typically 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 change into saturated with over commercialised tourism, and Kingscliff nonetheless retains loads of its rural, beachside appeal.
It’s additionally only one.5 hour’s drive from Brisbane and 50 minutes drive to the Gold Coast, making it a super day journey or weekend getaway spot.
It’s location, balmy seashores, up and coming foodie scene, and pleasant relaxed vibes makes it undoubtedly price 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 stuffed with points of interest and actions you are able to do, it’s properly price spending just a few days there stress-free and having fun with the coastal appeal.
Whether or not you need to bask on Kingscliff Seaside, go kayaking or paddleboarding on the crystal-clear waters of Cudgen Creek, or take the children 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 be sure to look out for the turning because it’s very simple to only drive previous!
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What are you most excited to do in Kingscliff? Tell us within the feedback!
