Kingscliff is a coastal town 13 kilometres south of Tweed Heads in the Northern Rivers region, and it works well for families. Beach, creek and estuary sit close together, and the main street faces the water. Kingscliff holidays with kids can be as lazy or as busy as you like.
This page covers the family-friendly sights, walks, tours and parks we can recommend, plus the things worth planning for before you pack the car. For the wider picture, see our Kingscliff destination guide, the town's Wikipedia entry, or the official Visit NSW site.
Why Kingscliff suits families
Kingscliff is a beach community with a good range of holiday accommodation. Together with the villages of Chinderah and Fingal, it offers beach and estuary access for swimming, surfing, fishing and water sports. That mix matters with children, because you can switch from surf to calmer water in the same day.
Marine Parade, the main street, has cafes, shops and accommodation directly across from the beach and creek. Parents can sit with a coffee and still see the water. The town has two primary schools and a state high school, and 7,464 people lived here at the 2016 census.
Beaches, bike paths and walks
On the sand
The main Kingscliff beach has been affected by erosion, and the foreshore has been the subject of a staged revitalisation project that began in March 2016. It includes a new seawall protecting the Cudgen Headland Surf Life Saving Club, Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park and Kingscliff Beach Bowls Club, and a planned Kingscliff Central Park intended as a community space linking the main street to the beach. Conditions and facilities may differ from year to year, so check before you go.
On wheels and foot
There are many bike paths through the parks along Kingscliff's beaches. An oceanway lets pedestrians and cyclists travel from the historic centre of town out to the newer communities along the Tweed Coast. A bike path also reaches Salt, part of the small town of Casuarina, which makes a good easy ride for older children.
The Casuarina Sculpture Walk runs along the foreshore and is a gentle stroll that suits most ages. We would take the pram or scooter and make it a slow morning.
Picnics, parks and nature
Lake Cudgen is the one we would put first for a family picnic and a day in the sun. It is simple, and children do not need a program to enjoy it.
From Kingscliff there is easy access to Mt Warning and the World Heritage national parks, where you can walk through rainforest and look for birds and plants. Check track conditions and the suitability of any walk for small children before setting out. More ideas are on our Kingscliff attractions and Kingscliff activities pages.
Tours, cruises and fishing
Cruises run along the Tweed River, including lunch and dinner cruises as well as fishing and crabbing cruises for all ages. Crabbing and estuary fishing up the Tweed River are a reliable way to keep children occupied. Deep sea and game fishing charters also head out to sea, though those suit older children better. Browse Kingscliff tours and rentals for options, and ask each operator about age limits and prices, as none are listed here.
Events and sport to watch
The Kingscliff Main Street Festival has traditionally been held in October, billed as a street party with markets and entertainment for all ages. Dates change, so confirm on our Kingscliff events page.
For sport, the Cudgen Hornets rugby league club play at Ned Byrne Field, and the Kingscliff Wolves Soccer Club, founded in 1968, play at Walter Peate Oval. A local match can be a cheap afternoon out.
Where to stay and when to go
Kingscliff Beach Holiday Park is planned to shift its focus towards cabins. Nearby, BIG4 Tweed Billabong Holiday Park in Tweed Heads South offers powered sites and cabins, and you should contact the park for rates and availability. For other options, try Kingscliff accommodation.
The figures below are for the Byron Bay area, about 43 km away, so treat them as a guide only.
| Month | Max (C) | Min (C) | Rain (mm) | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26.8 | 21.4 | 136.9 | 13.8 |
| March | 25.3 | 20.2 | 128.4 | 15.9 |
| May | 20.8 | 15.1 | 93.5 | 11.2 |
| July | 18.5 | 11.8 | 54.7 | 7.2 |
| September | 22.0 | 14.5 | 39.6 | 6.8 |
| November | 24.9 | 18.5 | 100.6 | 11.1 |
September is the driest month at about 40 mm, with mild days of 22 degrees. January to March is warmest and wettest, with more than 13 rain days a month, so pack for showers. Our view: September and October are the sweet spot for families.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kingscliff good for families?
Yes. It has beach and estuary access, bike paths, a lakeside picnic spot at Lake Cudgen and river cruises.
Can children ride bikes there?
There are many bike paths through the parks along the beaches, and an oceanway for cyclists and pedestrians. A path also leads to Salt.
What is the weather like?
Nearby Byron Bay averages 18.5 to 26.8 degrees at the daily maximum across the year, with September the driest month.