Ok so I’m a little delayed on this post, seeing as I went to Cabarita Beach for Christmas (still a strange concept for me, coming from the UK, to have Christmas at the same time as your summer holiday?!). Anyways, Cabarita Beach has been named the best beach in Australia for 2020. The beach is situated in Northern NSW, just a little down from the Gold Coast.
I can see why- can you?! Of course you can 😊 This part of Australia is so nice, has a really relaxed feel and outdoor way of life, the locals are super friendly and you have everything from rainforest, to artsy towns and beautiful beaches nearby. Here are a few things you can get up to in Cabarita and surrounding areas…
Cabarita Beach
Well, obviously this is one of the best things you can do here! Cabarita beach really is beautiful and seems to go on for miles. I was there during the busiest time of the year and at some points, we still had the beach to ourselves! The feeling of space is so nice and without a skyscraper in sight! (sorry Surfers Paradise). You can relax here all day and take in the stunning views, just be sure to set up some shade- the sun can be intense!
Walk to Norries Head Lookout
This is a simple walk up and suitable for most. The views at the top overlooking Cabarita Beach are stunning. You can see 2 beaches at the same time from the 360 degree views and the colour of the water is just incredible. The walk can provide a good workout if you run up the steps, or for those taking it easy, the sunset from up here is pretty nice.
Whale Watching
The Norries Headland is the perfect place to spot whales from. Every year from May to September, humpback whales pass through here on the great migration. You could also book a tour that will take you on a boat and hopefully up close to the whales!
Hire Out Bikes
This was my favourite activity in Cabarita Beach. The bikes can be rented easily from the shop in town. We took them out for 4 hours and cycled down to Kingscliff. This is a popular cycle track, that takes you under a pretty woodland and parallel to the beach. There are plenty of small tracks you can stop off at, to take a look at the beach.
Kingscliff
This is the next town along and is a little bigger than Cabarita but still feels like a small beach town. There are more cafes and restaurants, live music venues, a lagoon good for families and another gorgeous beach!
National Parks
There are numerous national parks close to the beach, so if you fancy a change of scenery, then head into the rainforest for some hiking!
Hastings Point
Hastings Point is the other direction from Kingscliff and is around an hour walk from Cabarita town. This would also make a great cycling track too as the walk was quite long, although on the way back we walked via the beach, so had a good workout! Hastings point is really pretty and has a wonderful lookout where you can sit and watch the surfers from above. It also has a shallow lagoon for families and a little shop selling amazing hot chips!
Make a Trip to Byron Bay
Byron is only around a half hour drive from Cabarita and is a relaxed and pretty town, with a hipster vibe. It’s popular with tourists and locals alike, with the variety of clothing shops and vintage stalls, as well as numerous Instagram-worthy cafes. Head to the beach for a swim or do the walk up to the lighthouse for lovely views.
The Farm at Byron Bay
On your way to or from Byron, you must check out The Farm. The Three Blue Ducks Restaurant does delicious food (a little pricy though) and they have an incredible ice cream stand- the watermelon sorbet is so delicious I would drive back from Brisbane to have another one! The setting is also beautiful with lots of farm animals and fields.
Try Some Water Sports
Along the way to Kingscliff is this beautiful lake, which I think is part of the estuary. The water is calm so it’s the perfect place to try SUP (stand up paddle boarding) or kayaking. Or you can simply enjoy people watching or go for a nice swim!
Rum Tastings at Husk Distillers
Husk is a well-designed and gorgeous location, on 150 acres of farmland and just under 30-minute drive from Cabarita Beach. Here you can try many varieties of gin, with the tasting tours on offer, or just simply have some nice lunch with a gin cocktail! The setting is perfect for enjoying the sunshine and cooling off (with a lovely glass of refreshing gin!).
Check out Palm Beach or Burleigh Heads
These two Gold Coast destinations are not far from Cabarita and are worth checking out if driving through. Burleigh heads is a little smaller and family friendly but both have plenty of shops. They are more built up then Cabarita but worth checking out, just to get a different vibe.
Try the Mouldy Burger at Palm Beach
I just had to put this in here…. We were passing through Palm Beach on our way back home and stopped off at The Burger Shack in Palm Beach. Oh my! Perhaps the best burger ever! A big statement but yes, it’s made with blue cheese, and pretty well priced too! You’ll find this beauty right on the main road by the beach.
Hope you enjoyed this post, for more on Australia check out: 16 Fun Things to do in Brisbane
