Cabarita Beach strikes the right balance between sleepy coastal town and happening holiday hotspot.
The unhurried hamlet has all the right ingredients for an idyllic beach holiday sans the maddening Byron-style crowds. A string of swanky lodgings lies peppered around town, from chic boutiques to boho glamping resorts. Then you’ve got its eclectic local restaurants, from chef-hatted landmarks to laidback cafes.
To help you plan the perfect escape, we’re covering the highlights in our Cabarita Beach guide.
Where to Stay In Cabarita Beach
The undisputed Cabarita superstar is Halcyon House, a stunning vintage boutique mere metres from the beach.
Award-winning designer Anna Spiro takes credit for the interiors, which come complete with boho-chic décor and curious antiques. Each individually-decorated room features fabric upholstered walls and lux king-sized beds.
Need something more affordable?
Check into one of the Hideaway’s bell-shaped safari tents. Don’t worry, you won’t be roughing it here. Ice-cold A/C, a bar fridge, and comfy Koala Mattress beds give you all the creature comforts of home. Snazzy ensuites and communal rooms sit within converted shipping containers scattered around the resort.
Where to Eat & Drink in Cabarita Beach
Halcyon House snags pole position in the Cabarita culinary scene with Paper Daisy, its in-house chefs-hatted restaurant.
Executive Chef Jason Barratt helms the kitchen team. The gastronomic guru whips up delectable contemporary flavours from sustainably sourced ingredients. This sought-after spot only welcomes external guests for dinner—book well in advance.
Beer aficionados should make a beeline for Earth Beer Co, a hip Cudgen brewery set on a sprawling avocado farm. The sustainable brew house produces a plethora of hoppy drops, including the eccentric—yet delicious—Avocado Kolsch.
If gin is more your thing, head to the hinterlands towards Husk Distillers. Straddling the Tweed River, this terrific distillery produces small-batch spirits from regional ingredients. Try the Insta-famous Ink Gin and the innovative Sugar Cane Rum.
Need to re-caffeinate?
Kartel Espresso does some of the best barista-made coffee in Cabarita Beach. The friendly, hole-in-the-wall joint also offers a tasty selection of brekkie bagels and lunchtime wraps.
For a cheeky tipple, check out The Burrow. This centrally-located cocktail lounge is a local hotspot. Come for the zesty Mexican dishes, and stay for the cocktails. Local bands take the stage on Saturday nights.
Things to See & Do in Cabarita Beach
The pristine, unspoiled coastline is the prime attraction at Cabarita Beach.
The local Council prohibits beachfront development; these golden sandy stretches boast an all-natural aesthetic. Hit Norries Cove for calm lapping waters or Maggie’s Beach to catch some waves.
Cabarita Headland is home to a short but scenic walking trail. Pack a picnic for an alfresco bite at the well-manicured Lion’s Park or the headland. Keep an eye out for frolicking dolphins and whales.
Feeling frazzled?
Wellness types should enquire about the soothing spa packages at Halcyon House.
Savour Tweed Gastronomy with Kiff & Culture
Keen to expand your culinary horizons beyond Cabarita Beach?
We offer an array of Tweed & Byron Bay gastronomic tours. Bounce between the top farm-to-table restaurants and small-batch distilleries in one fun-filled afternoon.
