Photo: SteepSixx / CC BY-SA 4.0
Hastings Point is a serene coastal hamlet on the NSW North Coast, where the Hastings River meets the sea. With its protected beaches, rock pools, and lush hinterland backdrop, it’s a peaceful escape for nature lovers and families. The headland offers panoramic views, and the calm estuary is perfect for kayaking or paddleboarding. This is a place to slow down, breathe in the salt air, and explore unspoiled shoreline.
Highlights & What to See
- Hastings Point Beach: A patrolled, family-friendly beach with gentle waves and a creek inlet for safe swimming. The adjacent rock pools teem with marine life at low tide.
- Hastings Point Headland: Walk the short coastal track for sweeping views of the coastline, from Byron Bay to the south. It’s a prime whale-watching spot during migration season (June–November).
- Cudgen Creek and Estuary: Paddle a kayak or stand-up paddleboard through the calm, mangrove-lined waters. Birdlife is abundant, including ospreys and pelicans.
- Kingscliff Beaches: Just a few minutes south, Kingscliff offers a vibrant café and restaurant scene along its patrolled main beach. The Tweed Coast Walk connects Kingscliff to Hastings Point.
- Pottsville and Mooball National Park: A short drive north, Pottsville has a charming village and access to Mooball National Park, with rainforest walks and a canopy lookout.
Suggested Time to Spend
Hastings Point is ideal for a half-day or a full day of relaxation. Spend the morning swimming or rock-pooling, then picnic on the headland. If you’re staying in the Tweed region, an afternoon is enough to soak up the scenery. For a more immersive experience, combine it with a kayak trip on the estuary or a coastal walk to Kingscliff. Many visitors use it as a stopover between Byron Bay and the Gold Coast.
Nearby Areas Worth Combining
- Kingscliff: A lively beach town with a great food scene, just 5 minutes south. Perfect for lunch or a sunset drink.
- Pottsville: A laid-back village with a historic pub and access to Mooball National Park’s rainforest walks.
- Cabarita Beach: A quieter surf beach with a community feel, about 10 minutes north. Great for a morning surf.
- Byron Bay: An hour’s drive south, Byron offers iconic lighthouse walks, bustling markets, and world-class dining.
- Gold Coast: 40 minutes north, the Gold Coast’s theme parks, shopping, and surf beaches provide a lively contrast.
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
- Kingscliff — Dinkum / CC0
- Pottsville — Dave Keeshan / CC BY-SA 2.0
- Cabarita Beach — Poyt448, Peter Woodard / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Byron Bay — Kpravin2 / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Gold Coast — Jordan Gellie jordan_gellie / CC0
- Tweed Coast Walk — Shiftchange / CC0
- Mooball National Park — JJ Harrison ( https://www.jjharrison.com.au/ ) / CC BY-SA 3.0