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Local's Guide | Things To Do In Kingscliff

20 February, 2024

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If you’re seeking an endless summer vibe for your next beach holiday, with just the right balance between action and relaxation, casual bites and awarded dining and laid-back to luxe accommodation, Kingscliff is your perfect seaside getaway. 

Always a favourite beach holiday spot, Kingscliff combines down-to-earth ease with sophisticated chic, with lots of things to do and everything close by, making it easy to get active – with a surf lesson, a paddle along Cudgen Creek or foreshore bike ride – or to simply slow down and unwind – with a floating meditation, beach walk, boutique browsing or a lush day spa treatment. 

From beach-view sips to hip coffee shops, global dishes to fish ‘n’ chips, friendly pubs and a surf club plus beachfront cabins to five star hotels and retro motels, Kingscliff awaits! 

Read on for our Local’s Guide to things to do in Kingscliff to help you plan your next holiday. 

KINGSCLIFF BEACHES TO EXPLORE

KINGSCLIFF BEACH

Set along Marine Parade, the main street of Kingscliff village, Kingscliff Beach is a mecca for all ages and occasions, with calm surf, fun playgrounds, picnic huts and free barbecues, a winding pathway for walking or cycling, a surf club that invites lazy lunches and a light-filled Visitor Information Centre for all your holiday Q&As. 

girl walking on kingscliff beach

LITTLE KINGSCLIFF BEACH

A hop and a skip along the coastal path, through green parks with ocean breezes, you’ll happen upon Little Kingscliff Beach, a tiny, picturesque nook that sits at the ocean inlet to Cudgen Creek. Think snorkelling in the shallows, cooling dips, a spot of fishing and books beneath a shaded umbrella. 

CUDGEN CREEK BEACH

Across the other side of the Cudgen Creek inlet, accessed over the Casuarina Way bridge and through Robert Dixon Park, this small spot is also good for fishing and relaxing and your four-legged friend is welcome to explore too, if on leash. 

SOUTH KINGSCLIFF BEACH

An eastern-facing, long stretch of open beach, South Kingscliff Beach invites early-birds to catch sunrise, sand-castle makers to dig in for the day, beach-walkers to stroll for hours and dog-lovers to give their pooch a good beach run in the off leash areas.  

SALT BEACH

While not technically on the official list of Kingscliff beaches, the stretch of sea that fronts Salt Village has become known locally as Salt Beach, given it’s just a hop from the sand to the Salt Village cafes, restaurants and neighbouring accommodation.  

 

THINGS TO DO IN KINGSCLIFF

KAYAK ON CUDGEN CREEK

Outdoor adventure is top of mind for those on the lookout for things to do in Kingscliff. Hire a kayak or join a tour in Kingscliff with Watersports Guru to navigate the serene waters of Cudgen Creek, a saltwater inlet that meanders inland as far south as Cudgen Lake in Cabarita Beach. Spot all kinds of birdlife, keep an eye out for river rays and glide by mangroves and lush bushland. 

outdoor activity in kingscliff

BIKE RIDE BESIDE THE BEACH

Hugging the coastline from Kingscliff Beach to South Kingscliff Beach and beyond is a smooth and flat shared pathway, perfect for a cruisy bike ride to explore Kingscliff. This scenic track offers easy access to the beach, local cafes and accommodation with places to stop, rest and cool off along the way. Bring your own set of wheels or hire direct from Kool Bike Hire located along Marine Parade. 

WAVES FOR DAYS, FOR ALL SKILL LEVELS

Whether you’re an avid surfer or just starting out, Kingscliff has a wave made just for you. Beginners can book in for a surf lesson with In2Surf to learn the basics of catching a calm wave at Kingscliff Beach while the more experienced tend to head for the open South Kingscliff Beach. 

surfing at kingscliff beach

RELAXATION AND WELLNESS

MINDFUL MOMENTS FLOATING IN NATURE

Book a wellness experience designed to quiet the mind and soothe the soul, all while floating on calm waters. Aptly named Mindfullness in the Mangroves, join Watersports Guru to gently SUP along Cudgen Creek to a peaceful alcove of mangroves, where you’ll meditate to bird song and sea breeze.

mindfullness in the mangroves

FEET IN THE SAND

The simple bliss of a beach walk can calm the mind with gentle, mindful moments leaving your footprints (and stress!) in the sand. Start at Kingscliff village and stroll the gorgeous Kingscliff Beach all the way up to Fingal Head, or feel the sea breeze with a walk along South Kingscliff Beach. 

WELLNESS TREATMENTS

Book a day spa treatment or wellness class to release tension and revive energy. Align with the elements of nature at The Spa at Salt with a massage, sauna and hydrotherapy spa. At Kingscliff Saltwater Studio, join a yoga, qi gong or meditation class or plan ahead for one of their restorative mini-retreats. 

EAT AND DRINK

The Kingscliff food and drink scene will have all taste buds buzzing, from sun-up to sun-down!

From a hearty breakfast to morning cake and coffee, tasty lunches with a sea view to stunning sunset sips and right through to dinner and drinks, Kingscliff food is flavour-filled.

The crew at Choux Box on Marine Parade have been whetting appetites for over 20 years, from sumptuous brekkies to lazy seaside lunches, afternoon cocktails and fulsome evening menus.

choux box cafe

One of Australia’s most awarded restaurants, Fins at Salt Village is a sure-bet for seafood lovers. Specialising in fresh and local, line-caught fish, organic produce and a sustainable approach, it’s no wonder Fins has satisfied pescatarian-minded diners for over 30 years!

Like a Greek dream beside Kingscliff Beach, Taverna is a long-time favourite with locals and visitors alike. Serving fresh flavours and mouth-watering dishes inspired by the spirit and flavours of Greece, Taverna is ideal for a romantic dinner through to group gatherings with shared dishes.

Taverna restaurant

For a drink to start the night to an after-dinner digestif, be sure to experience the warm ambience of The Pot & Pint on Marine Parade. Inspired by cosy European bars, this Kingscliff spot shakes up delicious cocktails and pours great ales and wines. You can also book ahead for a mixology class!

 

KINGSCLIFF ACCOMMODATION

Whatever your group size or lodging needs, you’ll find a Kingscliff accommodation option that’s your ideal retreat.

Retro-lovers will gravitate to the Blue Water Motel, an original overnighter given new life while maintaining its old-school feel. From families to couples, choose this if you love good design, a cute pool and fun vibe, all just a stroll to Kingscliff Beach.

blue water motel kingscliff accommodation

Set beachside at Salt Village, you’ll find Mantra on Salt Beach and Peppers Salt Resort & Spa, well-known luxury hotels that can cater for all, whether you’re travelling with the kids, on a holiday for two or attending a wedding or conference. With refreshing lagoon pools, dining and tennis courts, you’ll also find The Spa at Salt over at Peppers.

Choose from beachfront Paradiso Resort to a dreamy beach shack called Marine Beach House or coastal chic at Kingscliff Lane Beach Studio.

If camping, cabin and caravan parks are more your style, Kingscliff has choices here too.

Stay right on Kingscliff Beach at Tweed Holiday Parks, with the gorgeous ocean on one side and all the eating, drinking, shopping and browsing you need on the other, with Marine Parade at your doorstep. BYO tent or caravan or book a cabin, with accessible options available.

Tweed Holiday Park Kingscliff Beach

Tweed Holiday Park Kingscliff Beach

A bucket-and-spades throw from Kingscliff Beach you’ll find Ingenia Holidays Kingscliff, with 10 acres of subtropical gardens and a cooling resort-style pool with plenty of things to do for the kids. There are also pet-friendly Kingscliff accommodation options if you’re travelling with your pooch!

 

PLAN YOUR TRIP

WEATHER IN KINGSCLIFF

Kingscliff is quite mild, yearround, with top temperatures around 30 degrees in summer and 20 degrees in winter. If visiting in winter, pack a jumper though as overnight temps can get as low as around 10 degrees. It’s usually wettest in February given Kingscliff’s subtropical wet season rainfall. 

BEST TIME TO VISIT

There’s never a bad time to visit Kingscliff! It depends on whether you like the hot summer sun or the cooler mood of beach walks in winter. Also think about whether you like to visit when there’s a holiday buzz in the air (during school holiday periods, Easter and Christmas) or prefer the quieter vibe of the low season (usually April to August). 

GETTING HERE

Travelling to Kingscliff is easy. if you’re driving, just peel off the Pacific Motorway when you see the Kingscliff sign. There are also bus and coach connections with major transport companies. If you’re flying in, you’ll be quickly off-board and on Kingscliff Beach when flying into the nearby Gold Coast Airport, just a 15 minute drive from Kingscliff village. 

MORE INFORMATION

If you need more advice from locals on things to do in Kingscliff, pop into our light-filled and friendly Kingscliff Visitor Information Centre, right beside the sea. 

Find more things to do in Kingscliff HERE.

We wish to acknowledge the Ngandowal and Minyungbal speaking people of the Bundjalung Country, in particular the Goodjinburra, Tul-gi-gin and Moorung – Moobah clans, as being the traditional owners and custodians of the land and waters within the Tweed Shire boundaries. We also acknowledge and respect the Tweed Aboriginal community’s right to speak for its Country and to care for its traditional Country in accordance with its lores, customs and traditions.