The Tweed Coast village of Kingscliff is one of the coastal villages just 15 minutes south of Tweed Heads in northern New South Wales. It is a vibrant beach holiday destination that has retained its wonderful local identity and will be my new home in 2019.

Moreton Bay Fig Tree on main street of Kingscliff

Kingscliff Eating & Shopping

Endowed with attractive street landscaping and some excellent cafes and restaurants, Kingscliff is becoming known as a gourmet destination. You can take a virtual culinary world tour from a choice of restaurants offering Japanese, Thai, Spanish, Italian, Mexican, Indian or Nepalese cuisine. But there is also a great selection of fresh local produce and seafood available.

One of the Restaurants in Kingscliff

Kingscliff Cafe & Gift Shop

Dotted between the sidewalk cafes and restaurants are boutiques and gift shops that are both unique and different to the chain-store merchandise that is offered elsewhere. And if you are looking for entertainment there is a fully renovated local pub, a surf club, bowls club and a local cinema.

Boutique in Kingscliff

Kingscliff Beaches & Estuary

Kingscliff Oceanway

Kingscliff not only provides beach and estuary access for swimming, surfing, fishing and water sports, but has an oceanway that allows pedestrians and cyclists to move from the historic centre of town out to the emerging new communities along the Tweed Coast. You can walk and cycle as far north as Fingal Heads and south to Pottsville through a string of other coastal villages.

Paddle a kayak or canoe along the Cudgen Creek wetlands all the way to Cudgen Lake at Cabarita and see a variety of osprey nests and wading birds along the way. You can also paddle a stand-up paddleboard in the calm creek waters – perfect for beginners like me!

Cudgen Creek

There are several beach breaks happening between Fingal and Kingscliff, but the best surf spots are in front of the Kingscliff Beach Bowls Club or out from the headland on Cudgen Reef. You can also learn to surf with one of the local surf schools.

Kingscliff Beach

Kingscliff Foreshore

The Kingscliff foreshore and caravan park recently underwent some serious revitalisation, resulting in the addition of parklands, skate park, BBQ facilities, picnic tables, pathways and modernisation of the existing caravan park.

The newly refurbished Kingscliff Foreshore and Parklands

This was my favourite addition to the foreshore precinct, these amazing three wooden statues that stand guard over the ocean. Standing three metres tall, the three statues were installed next to the Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Clubhouse that serve as a tribute to past club members who were committed to protecting the beaches.

The iconic wooden lifesaver statues at Kingscliff

Kingscliff Triathlon

Now if you are a sports enthusiast Kingscliff hosts an annual Triathlon which involves a swim through the estuary into open water, cycling around the Tweed Valley terrain and a run by the beach over either a short or long Triathlon distance. This event is held over a two day weekend in November and all age groups and the entire family can be involved.

Kingscliff Triathlon

Salt & Casuarina Beach

Just south of Kingscliff, Salt Village and Casuarina are part of the new Tweed Coast developments. Stretching over 6 kms of beachfront, the streets are lined with contemporary beach houses that have redefined beach architecture. Salt Central Park is an expansive park that is popular for picnics and the Salt Village offers a selection of shops and restaurants.

Salt to Casuarina Pathway

Accommodation consists of luxury international resorts with Mantra on Salt Beach Resort, Santai Retreat Casuarina, and Peppers Salt Resort and Spa. If you really want to indulge yourself then The Spa at Salt at Kingscliff is one of the largest luxury day spas in Australia.

Mantra on Salt Resort

Where To Stay in Kingscliff

For the budget conscious there are two great beachfront Caravan Parks in Kingscliff: the fully refurbished Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park in the centre of town and the Kingscliff North Caravan Park that is located 2 kms from town. Both parks are ideally located with direct beach access and have a mix of camping sites, caravan sites and self contained cabins.

Kingscliff Caravan Park

If you’re not into caravanning or camping there are plenty of other accommodation options, including Kingscliff holiday units and homes.

A visit to Kingscliff takes you back in time to when a beach holiday was far removed from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. So leave the car and bring your walking shoes because everything you need is within walking distance. No traffic lights, no hi-rises, no traffic jams and plenty to keep you amused. This is my kind of place!