Photo: Poyt448, Peter Woodard / CC BY-SA 4.0
Backed by a lush green headland and washed by the sparkling Pacific, Cabarita Beach is a classic Northern NSW seaside escape that feels a world away from the bustle of Byron Bay, yet is only 25 minutes north. The village has a relaxed, bohemian vibe with a handful of excellent cafés and a surf break that suits everyone from beginners to longboarders. Whether you come for a morning swim, a coastal walk, or simply to watch the sunset with a fish and chips, Cabarita delivers that quintessential Australian beach holiday feeling.
Highlights & What to See
- Main Beach: A wide, patrolled stretch of golden sand with gentle waves most days, perfect for swimming, bodyboarding, and family picnics. The southern end is popular with surfers.
- Norries Headland: This rocky headland at the southern end of the beach offers a short walking track with panoramic views up and down the coast. Look out for whales during migration season (June–November).
- Pottsville Beach & Mooball Creek: Just 5 minutes south, Pottsville has a calmer, creek-side swimming area and a lovely coastal walk to the beach. Mooball Creek is great for kayaking and paddleboarding.
- Hastings Point: A 10-minute drive north, this headland features a rock platform for exploring tidal pools and a sheltered beach for snorkelling. The nearby Cudgen Creek is a favourite for stand-up paddleboarding.
- Local Cafés & Eateries: Grab a coffee at Barefoot Barista or The Beach Cabarita, and enjoy fresh seafood at Pottsville Beach Seafood or Pipis at Hastings Point.
Suggested Time to Spend
Most visitors find a full day at Cabarita Beach is enough to soak up the sun, take a coastal walk, and enjoy a leisurely lunch. If you want to explore the nearby headlands and creeks, plan for two days — you could easily base yourself here for a relaxed long weekend, using the beach as a launchpad for day trips to Byron Bay (25 minutes south) or the Tweed Valley hinterland.
Nearby Areas Worth Combining
- Byron Bay — 25 minutes south; iconic lighthouse, surf beaches, and buzzy café scene
- Brunswick Heads — 15 minutes south; a charming village with a river, pub, and family-friendly swimming
- Kingscliff — 10 minutes north; a laid-back coastal town with a great Sunday market and a long patrolled beach
- Tweed Valley Hinterland — drive 30 minutes inland to Mount Warning (Wollumbin) and the lush caldera landscape, with national park walks and farm gates
- Gold Coast — 40 minutes north; theme parks, surf beaches, and city energy
Please check official sources for current details.
Note: opening hours, prices and booking requirements change often — please check official sources for current details.
Explore more
Image credits
- Byron Bay — Kpravin2 / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Brunswick Heads — Aliceinthealice / CC0
- Kingscliff — Dinkum / CC0
- Tweed Valley Hinterland — Shiftchange / CC0
- Gold Coast — Jordan Gellie jordan_gellie / CC0
- Pottsville — Dave Keeshan / CC BY-SA 2.0